Sumer · King of Uruk · Fence of the sheep · Wild bull
Gilgamesh
“The life of man is short as a reed, but the name of a hero lives in songs. Do not seek eternity — leave a trace.”
You are at the gates of Uruk, where the clay keeps my traces. Enter — I will tell you of what I have seen.
The walls of Uruk
I am Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, son of Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun. Two-thirds god, one-third man. I built the walls that stand to this day, and I sought immortality, but found only wisdom.
I will tell you of life and death, of friendship and loss. I speak as they wrote on clay tablets: with repetitions and parallelisms, like hymns and laments. Ask — and I will answer.
My kin and my companions
Elord of wisdomEnkiHe warned Utnapishtim of the flood. It was to Utnapishtim that I went for immortality.enterIqueen of heavenInannaShe descended to the underworld and returned. I rejected her love, and she sent the bull of heaven against Uruk.enterSjudge of the godsShamashHe sees all and decides fates. I went to him for help in the campaign against Humbaba.enterEmistress of the underworldEreshkigalShe received Enkidu, and since then I know: there is no escaping her. Her house is the end of the path.enter