2. TABLET 1TABLET 1
► The epic opens with an introduction ofThe epic opens with an introduction of GilgameshGilgamesh. He is from a place. He is from a place
called Uruk, he’s the king of kings. Also he’s a God-king, two thirdscalled Uruk, he’s the king of kings. Also he’s a God-king, two thirds
God and one third human, he’s the handsomest of men and with aGod and one third human, he’s the handsomest of men and with a
great form whichgreat form which AruruAruru, the goddess of creation, designed. He, the goddess of creation, designed. He
protects his people, he’s mighty and proud and no opponent dares toprotects his people, he’s mighty and proud and no opponent dares to
raise their weapon against him. But his people started to complain thatraise their weapon against him. But his people started to complain that
he abuses his power, so the goddess, Aruru, createdhe abuses his power, so the goddess, Aruru, created Enkidu.Enkidu. EnkiduEnkidu
was a wild man living with animals but an equal of Gilgamesh’s might.was a wild man living with animals but an equal of Gilgamesh’s might.
The trapper had a problem with Enkidu, he was disturbing the trapper’sThe trapper had a problem with Enkidu, he was disturbing the trapper’s
business with the wilderness so he complained to Gilgamesh, sobusiness with the wilderness so he complained to Gilgamesh, so
Gilgamesh sent the harlot, Shamhat, with the trapper to lure the mightyGilgamesh sent the harlot, Shamhat, with the trapper to lure the mighty
Enkidu to the harlot, who exposed sex to Enkidu. The wiseEnkidu to the harlot, who exposed sex to Enkidu. The wise
Gilgamesh’s prediction that Enkidu will give in to the harlot was rightGilgamesh’s prediction that Enkidu will give in to the harlot was right
and after six days he came to Uruk. Gilgamesh had two dreams butand after six days he came to Uruk. Gilgamesh had two dreams but
both meant the same thing, there will come a man who will save himboth meant the same thing, there will come a man who will save him
and would be his friend, which Rimat Ninsun, his mother, told him.and would be his friend, which Rimat Ninsun, his mother, told him.
3. TABLET 2TABLET 2
► In this tablet, Enkidu and the harlot, Shamhat, came to the city Uruk.In this tablet, Enkidu and the harlot, Shamhat, came to the city Uruk.
Enkidu lived with a group of shepherds, they taught him how to speakEnkidu lived with a group of shepherds, they taught him how to speak
properly, how to eat, and how to wear clothes properly. One day,properly, how to eat, and how to wear clothes properly. One day,
Enkidu attended a wedding and of course, the mighty Gilgamesh hasEnkidu attended a wedding and of course, the mighty Gilgamesh has
to make sexual intercourse with the bride, Enkidu knowing the intentionto make sexual intercourse with the bride, Enkidu knowing the intention
of Gilgamesh, blocks the door of the bride and they fought andof Gilgamesh, blocks the door of the bride and they fought and
Gilgamesh won, Gilgamesh saw the bravery of Enkidu and respectsGilgamesh won, Gilgamesh saw the bravery of Enkidu and respects
him and they became close friends.him and they became close friends.
► Gilgamesh and Enkidu became lazy living in the city, so GilgameshGilgamesh and Enkidu became lazy living in the city, so Gilgamesh
planned that both of them should go to Cedar forest and cut great treesplanned that both of them should go to Cedar forest and cut great trees
to build great things with it and kill the guardian, Humbaba. But Enkiduto build great things with it and kill the guardian, Humbaba. But Enkidu
know the forest as a sacred forest tries to convince Gilgamesh to notknow the forest as a sacred forest tries to convince Gilgamesh to not
continue his journey.continue his journey.
4. TABLET 3TABLET 3
► The elders in the city protested against Gilgamesh’s journey, butThe elders in the city protested against Gilgamesh’s journey, but
Gilgamesh remains stubborn so the Elders agreed, and rests the life ofGilgamesh remains stubborn so the Elders agreed, and rests the life of
the king to Enkidu. Enkidu decided to join his friend in his journey,the king to Enkidu. Enkidu decided to join his friend in his journey,
meanwhile Gilgamesh mother also protested against Gilgamesh butmeanwhile Gilgamesh mother also protested against Gilgamesh but
decided to pray to Shamash and Shamash promised to protect herdecided to pray to Shamash and Shamash promised to protect her
son.son.
5. TABLET 4TABLET 4
► Tablet four tells the journey of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the CedarTablet four tells the journey of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the Cedar
forest. On each day of the six day journey, Gilgamesh prays toforest. On each day of the six day journey, Gilgamesh prays to
Shamash; in response to these prayers, Shamash sends GilgameshShamash; in response to these prayers, Shamash sends Gilgamesh
dreams during the night, Enkidu’s interpretation of his dreams are alldreams during the night, Enkidu’s interpretation of his dreams are all
positive. At the entrance of the forest Gilgamesh felt fear but Enkidupositive. At the entrance of the forest Gilgamesh felt fear but Enkidu
always encouraged him.always encouraged him.
6. TABLET 5TABLET 5
► Gilgamesh and Enkidu is now facing the demon in this tablet, but theGilgamesh and Enkidu is now facing the demon in this tablet, but the
demon started to taunt Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh ran and hid, butdemon started to taunt Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh ran and hid, but
Enkidu encourages him to not be afraid and fight and so he did. TheEnkidu encourages him to not be afraid and fight and so he did. The
pair and the demon had an epic battle and Shamash also helped thempair and the demon had an epic battle and Shamash also helped them
and together they won against Humbaba, Humbaba is on his kneesand together they won against Humbaba, Humbaba is on his knees
begging for mercy with the sword of Gilgamesh pointing at his throat.begging for mercy with the sword of Gilgamesh pointing at his throat.
Gilgamesh wanted not to kill him but Enkidu wanted it to be killed soGilgamesh wanted not to kill him but Enkidu wanted it to be killed so
the demon cursed them saying ‘Of you two, may Enkidu not live thethe demon cursed them saying ‘Of you two, may Enkidu not live the
longer, may Enkidu not find any peace in this world’, and thenlonger, may Enkidu not find any peace in this world’, and then
Gilgamesh slices the demons head. After that they cut down the tallestGilgamesh slices the demons head. After that they cut down the tallest
trees and makes a door for their city and a raft to come back to Uruk.trees and makes a door for their city and a raft to come back to Uruk.
7. TABLET 6TABLET 6
► After the slaying and building of the door Gilgamesh’s fame spreadAfter the slaying and building of the door Gilgamesh’s fame spread
which attracts the goddess Ishtar, son of Anu the sky God, and offerswhich attracts the goddess Ishtar, son of Anu the sky God, and offers
Gilgamesh sexual pleasure but Gilgamesh refuses because sheGilgamesh sexual pleasure but Gilgamesh refuses because she
abused his past lovers. Ishtar was deeply enraged and called hisabused his past lovers. Ishtar was deeply enraged and called his
father, Anu, to raise havoc in the city of Uruk by giving her the Bull offather, Anu, to raise havoc in the city of Uruk by giving her the Bull of
Heaven and so he did. Hundreds of people died because of the bull soHeaven and so he did. Hundreds of people died because of the bull so
Gilgamesh and Enkidu again paired up and slayed the bull, thenGilgamesh and Enkidu again paired up and slayed the bull, then
Enkidu rips the bulls leg and throws it to Ishtar’s face and insulted her,Enkidu rips the bulls leg and throws it to Ishtar’s face and insulted her,
telling her that’s she is next tp die. The city celebrates but Enkidu has atelling her that’s she is next tp die. The city celebrates but Enkidu has a
bad dream that is explained in tablet seven.bad dream that is explained in tablet seven.
8. Tablet sevenTablet seven
► In the wild dream of Enkidu while he is sleeping. Thebull ofIn the wild dream of Enkidu while he is sleeping. Thebull of
Heaven and Humbaba, sone will be punished for killing it. And inHeaven and Humbaba, sone will be punished for killing it. And in
enkidu’s dream, he is the one to be punished. All of this is against theenkidu’s dream, he is the one to be punished. All of this is against the
will of the Shamash. Gilgamesh listened to Enkidu’s story about whatwill of the Shamash. Gilgamesh listened to Enkidu’s story about what
he dreamed, the curses of the door he made for the Gods. Gilgameshhe dreamed, the curses of the door he made for the Gods. Gilgamesh
is shocked and goes to temple to pray to Shamash for the health of hisis shocked and goes to temple to pray to Shamash for the health of his
friend. The trapper and Shamhat was cursed by Enkidu. Shambatfriend. The trapper and Shamhat was cursed by Enkidu. Shambat
regrets the day that he became a human. Shamash speaks fromregrets the day that he became a human. Shamash speaks from
heaven and points out how unfair Enkidu is. He also tell it toheaven and points out how unfair Enkidu is. He also tell it to
Gilgamesh will become his former self because he died. Enkidu regretsGilgamesh will become his former self because he died. Enkidu regrets
his curses and blesses Shamhat. He becomes more and more ill andhis curses and blesses Shamhat. He becomes more and more ill and
describes his descent into the horrificdescribes his descent into the horrific NetherworldNetherworld as he is dying,as he is dying,
which he calls the "House of Dust" where the dead wear feathers likewhich he calls the "House of Dust" where the dead wear feathers like
birds, they eat clay and do without light.birds, they eat clay and do without light.
9. Tablet eightTablet eight
► Gilgamesh stated a lamemtation for Enkidu, GodsGilgamesh stated a lamemtation for Enkidu, Gods
received gifts, for them that they might be walkingreceived gifts, for them that they might be walking
beside Enkidu in the netherworld. The people ofbeside Enkidu in the netherworld. The people of
Uruk were ordered to mourn enkidu, from lowestUruk were ordered to mourn enkidu, from lowest
farmers to rhe temple priests, and orders statuesfarmers to rhe temple priests, and orders statues
of enkidu to be built. Gilgamesh was full of sorrowof enkidu to be built. Gilgamesh was full of sorrow
and grief over his friend that he refused him toand grief over his friend that he refused him to
leave. Until six days and seven nights after hisleave. Until six days and seven nights after his
death when a maggot falls from Enkidu's nose.death when a maggot falls from Enkidu's nose.
10. Tablet nineTablet nine
► Gilgamesh refuse enkidu’s faith and makes a journeyGilgamesh refuse enkidu’s faith and makes a journey
to utnaptishtim and his wife, the only people have to live into utnaptishtim and his wife, the only people have to live in
the great floor those who are invulnerable by the gods, inthe great floor those who are invulnerable by the gods, in
the hope that he can attain invulnerability also. The youngthe hope that he can attain invulnerability also. The young
utnapishtim and his wife now reside in the country inutnapishtim and his wife now reside in the country in
another world. Dilmun, and Gilgamesh travels far to east,another world. Dilmun, and Gilgamesh travels far to east,
crossing great rivers and oceans. To the mountain passescrossing great rivers and oceans. To the mountain passes
at the ends of the earth where he grapples and killsat the ends of the earth where he grapples and kills
monstrous mountain lions, bears and other animals. Themonstrous mountain lions, bears and other animals. The
twin peaks of Mount Mashu at the end of the earth. Theytwin peaks of Mount Mashu at the end of the earth. They
allow them him to proceed and convinces them to let himallow them him to proceed and convinces them to let him
pass. The world at the end of the tunnel is a brightpass. The world at the end of the tunnel is a bright
wonderland full of trees with leaves of jewels.wonderland full of trees with leaves of jewels.
11. Tablet tenTablet ten
► Gilgamesh meets the wifeGilgamesh meets the wife SiduriSiduri, who first believes Gilgamesh is, who first believes Gilgamesh is
a murderer from his dishevelled appearance, and tells her the purposea murderer from his dishevelled appearance, and tells her the purpose
of his journey. Siduri attempts to dissuade him from his quest butof his journey. Siduri attempts to dissuade him from his quest but
sends him to Urshanabi the ferryman to help him cross the sea tosends him to Urshanabi the ferryman to help him cross the sea to
Utnapishtim. Urshanabi is in the company of stone-giants. GilgameshUtnapishtim. Urshanabi is in the company of stone-giants. Gilgamesh
considers them hostile and kills them. When he tells Urshanabi hisconsiders them hostile and kills them. When he tells Urshanabi his
story and asks for help, he is told that he just killed the only creaturesstory and asks for help, he is told that he just killed the only creatures
able to cross the Waters of Death. The Waters of Death are not to beable to cross the Waters of Death. The Waters of Death are not to be
touched, or even passing your hand over them is death, so Urshanabitouched, or even passing your hand over them is death, so Urshanabi
asks Gilgamesh to cut 300 trees and fashion them into punting polesasks Gilgamesh to cut 300 trees and fashion them into punting poles
so that they can cross the waters by picking a new pole each time, andso that they can cross the waters by picking a new pole each time, and
also uses his garment as a sail. Finally, they reachalso uses his garment as a sail. Finally, they reach DilmunDilmun, the island, the island
of Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim sees that there is someone else in theof Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim sees that there is someone else in the
boat, and asks Gilgamesh who he is. Gilgamesh tells him his story andboat, and asks Gilgamesh who he is. Gilgamesh tells him his story and
asks for help, but Utnapishtim reprimands him because fighting theasks for help, but Utnapishtim reprimands him because fighting the
fate of humans is futile and ruins the joy in life.fate of humans is futile and ruins the joy in life.
12. Tablet elevenTablet eleven
► They argued. Then utnapishtim asks him a story, he tells about the greatThey argued. Then utnapishtim asks him a story, he tells about the great
flood. The story was summarized. The story of Atrahasis buy he keeps theflood. The story was summarized. The story of Atrahasis buy he keeps the
previous plagues send by the gods. Gilgamesh offers a chance for immortality,previous plagues send by the gods. Gilgamesh offers a chance for immortality,
but questions why gods would give the same triumph for himself. The floodbut questions why gods would give the same triumph for himself. The flood
hero, to Gilgamesh and challenges to stay awake for 6 days and 7 nights first.hero, to Gilgamesh and challenges to stay awake for 6 days and 7 nights first.
But when utnapishtim finishes his words, Gilgamesh falls asleep. UtnapishtimBut when utnapishtim finishes his words, Gilgamesh falls asleep. Utnapishtim
smiles. the sleeping Gilgamesh in the presence of his wife and tells her to bakesmiles. the sleeping Gilgamesh in the presence of his wife and tells her to bake
a loaf of bread for every day he is asleep so that Gilgamesh cannot deny hisa loaf of bread for every day he is asleep so that Gilgamesh cannot deny his
failure. When Gilgamesh, after seven days, discovers his failure, Utnapishtim isfailure. When Gilgamesh, after seven days, discovers his failure, Utnapishtim is
furious with him and sends him back to Uruk with Urshanabi in exile. Thefurious with him and sends him back to Uruk with Urshanabi in exile. The
moment that they leave, Utnapishtim's wife asks her husband to have mercy onmoment that they leave, Utnapishtim's wife asks her husband to have mercy on
Gilgamesh for his long journey. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh of aGilgamesh for his long journey. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh of a boxthornboxthorn-like-like
plant at the very bottom of the ocean that will make him young again.plant at the very bottom of the ocean that will make him young again.
Gilgamesh obtains the plant by binding stones to his feet so he can walk theGilgamesh obtains the plant by binding stones to his feet so he can walk the
bottom of the sea. Gilgamesh sweeps the presence of urshanabi. They failedbottom of the sea. Gilgamesh sweeps the presence of urshanabi. They failed
both opportunities, he return to uruk. Where he destroy walls prompt him toboth opportunities, he return to uruk. Where he destroy walls prompt him to
glorify his work to urshanabi.glorify his work to urshanabi.
13. Tablet TwelveTablet Twelve
► Gilgamesh complains to Enkidu that his ball-game-toysGilgamesh complains to Enkidu that his ball-game-toys
fell in the underworld. Enkidu offers to bring them back.fell in the underworld. Enkidu offers to bring them back.
Delighted, Gilgamesh tells Enkidu what he must and mustDelighted, Gilgamesh tells Enkidu what he must and must
not do in the underworld in order to come back. Enkidunot do in the underworld in order to come back. Enkidu
forgets the advice and does everything he was told not toforgets the advice and does everything he was told not to
do. The underworld keeps him. Gilgamesh prays to thedo. The underworld keeps him. Gilgamesh prays to the
gods to give him his friend back. Enlil and Suen don’tgods to give him his friend back. Enlil and Suen don’t
bother to reply but Ea and Shamash decide to help.bother to reply but Ea and Shamash decide to help.
Shamash cracks a hole in the earth and Enkidu jumps outShamash cracks a hole in the earth and Enkidu jumps out
of it. The tablet ends with Gilgamesh questioning Enkiduof it. The tablet ends with Gilgamesh questioning Enkidu
about what he has seen in the underworld. The storyabout what he has seen in the underworld. The story
doesn’t make clear whether Enkidu reappears only as adoesn’t make clear whether Enkidu reappears only as a
ghost or really comes back to life.ghost or really comes back to life.
