Gilgamesh Civilization, Essay Example

This paper examines the epic of Gilgamesh (vol. a tablets 1-10); focussing on the issue of civilization vs. Wilderness. The paper compares and contrasts the characters of Enkidu and Gilgamesh.  The main character Gilgamesh was the historical king of Urak in ancient Babylonia, the country we now know as Iraq. Many epic takes have been compiled about the ancient king in the Sumerian language. The best version being upon 12 tablets that were retrieved from the library of the King of Assyria, written in Akkaden language.  Enkidu is introduced in Tablet 2 where he has a dispute with the King Gilgamesh and this leads to a fight that the King wins. From that point they become close friends.

Civilization in ancient Mesopotamia was based upon the building of affluent Cities dominated by the King ” Gilgamesh, built the great city of Uruk; the tablet invites us to look around and view the greatness of this city, its high walls, its mason work, and here at the base of its gates, as the foundation of the city walls, a stone of lapis lazuli on which is carved Gilgamesh’s account of his exploits” (Hooker).  The ancient Mesopotamia capital of URUK is located on the Euphrates river some 155 miles south of Baghdad and it spans some 247 acres. It was the largest City of the Sumerian civilization and at the time the largest in the world. It became famous for the many cone mosaics, examples of which have been retained in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin.  Uruk shone with the brilliance of copper and the inner wall had no equal. The gates were made from the great cedar trees of Lebanon.

Enkidu was the friend and companion of King Gilgamesh. Although they got off to a bad start they became life long companions. It was said that Enkidu was raised by animals, thus accounting for his hairy and cave man appearance. Despite his joining the civilised world he retained many of his pagan and undomesticated traits. In persona he was very much like the king and retained similar physical attributes.  The gods would later punish the pair and give Enkidu a slow, painful and undignified death for his slaying of the Bull of Heaven.

Enkidu gains civility and manners from a group of shepherds ” Enkidu is gradually introduced to civilization by living for a time with a group of shepherds, who teach him how to tend flocks, how to eat, how to speak properly, and how to wear clothes” (Hooker).  The two grow lazy and domesticated in the City and this tires them into undertaking a great adventure to the Cedar Forest ” Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh gradually weaken and grow lazy living in the city” (Hooker).

Although the two stayed together in order to face the demon of the Forest, it was Enkidu that pleaded with the King to slay the demon and for this he was eternally cursed ” On his knees, with Gilgamesh’s sword at his throat, Humbaba begs for his life and offers Gilgamesh all the trees in the forest and his eternal servitude. While Gilgamesh is thinking this over, Enkidu intervenes, telling Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba before any of the gods arrive and stop him from doing so. Should he kill Humbaba, he will achieve widespread fame for all the times to come. Gilgamesh, with a great sweep of his sword, removes Humbaba’s head. But before he dies, Humbaba screams out a curse on Enkidu: “Of you two, may Enkidu not live the longer, may Enkidu not find any peace in this world!” (Hooker)

Enkidu died a terrible vengeful death at the hands of the Gods and Gilgamesh mourned the death of his companion and raised a great memorial statue in his honour.In the epic the wilderness dictates a struggle for survival but a sense of purity in the poverty and a great deal of sincerity and companionship, as witnessed by the treatment of the shepherds to Enkidu.  This City despite all of its grandeur represents laziness, boredom and self aggrandisement.  This leads both Enkidu and Gilgamesh to seek a great adventure in the Cedar Forest.  It is easy to relate to the character of the King as we all strive towards a long and fulfilled, satisfied life.  We all like the fine things that life has to offer and the trappings of civilisation.  Equally we are prone to missing the simple things of life that are experienced today in third world countries.

Works Cited

Hooker, Richard. World Civilizations. 6 6 1999. 24 6 2010 <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/GILG.HTM>.