The Gilgamesh Epic

Gilgamesh and Ishtar, and the death of Enkidu

Layout of the Gilgamesh Epic

Prologue The coming of Enkidu The forest journey Ishtar and Gilgamesh and the death of Enkidu The search for everlasting life The story of the flood The return The death of Gilgamesh

Flashback: Humbaba, guardian of the forest

Flashback: Humbaba, guardian of the forest

Layout of Gilgamesh and Ishtar, and the death of Enkidu

After Gilgamesh and Enkidu slayed Humbaba they returned to Uruk. Once there the goddess Ishtar asked Gilgamesh to be her husband, and then she would make him famous among men. Gilgamesh did not accept Ishtars offer, naming all the lovers that Ishtar have had and not loved forever. Ishtar was enraged, she told her father Anu how Gilgamesh insulted her. She went on to ask Anu to give her the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh, and if he did not give it she would open the doors of hell so that the dead can live among the living. Anu agreed to give her the Bull of Heaven, but in return there would b seven years of drought in Uruk. Ishtar however indicates that she saved enough grain for the people for seven year. Ishtar led the Bull of Heaven to Uruk, but it was not match for Gilgamesh who slayed it with the help of Enkidu. Gilgamesh ripped out the heart of the Bull and presented it to Shamash, whereafter Gilgamesh and the heroes of the city had a great feast. Enkidu had a dream which he told to Gilgamesh. In the dream Enlil said to Shamash that because Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed both Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven one of them must die.

 Enkidu became sick and in his sickness he cursed the city walls of Uruk and the harlot who braught him there. Shamash however spoke to him from heaven telling him to not curse the harlot because if it was not for her he would never have known Gilgamesh. Enkidu then withdrew his curse. Enkidu had another dream, wherein a sombre-faced man-bird transformed his arms into wings and took him to the place of the Queen of Darkness where those who enters never returns. There Enkidu saw many kings, rulers and kings who once wore kingly crowns and ruled the world in the days of old. Enkidu shared his dream with Gilgamesh, and as he becames sicker Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu. Enkidu died and Gilgamesh mourned him for seven days and nights. Gilgamesh commanded that the whole Uruk weep for his friend and commissioned that a statue should be made of his friend.

The goddess Ishtar

The goddess Ishtar

The Bull of Heaven

The Bull of Heaven

Gilgamesh and Ishtar, and the death of Enkidu