One of the earliest known tales is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. Gilgamesh, the ruler of Uruk, and his search for immortality are the subjects of the epic.

Gilgamesh is a strong and conceited king at the start of the narrative. His power and knowledge are unparalleled, and he is one-third human and two-thirds heavenly. But he misuses his position of authority, enforcing strict laws and causes his subjects to suffer. The gods create Enkidu, a savage guy who dwells in the forest, in answer to his subjects’ complaints. Enkidu is supposed to teach Gilgamesh humility and be a match for him.

Enkidu is free and coexists with animals, until one day a hunter spots him and wishes to tame him. To entice Enkidu, the hunter delivers Shamhat, a temple prostitute. After sharing a bed with Shamhat, Enkidu becomes more human and loses his savagery. After a while, he learns about civilization and learns of Gilgamesh’s oppression in Uruk. Enkidu makes the decision to face Gilgamesh head-on.

When they first meet, the two guys fight, but their battle finishes in a tie. They come to see that their strengths are equal, and a close relationship develops. Gilgamesh and Enkidu form an unbreakable bond and go on a number of adventures together. Their trip to the Cedar Forest, which is protected by a formidable monster known as Humbaba, is the first significant adventure. After defeating Humbaba, the two heroes bring the wood back to Uruk and chop down the holy cedars.

They are welcomed as heroes upon their return to Uruk. But the goddess Ishtar is enraged at their triumph. She asks Gilgamesh to marry her, but he declines, humiliating her by enumerating the shortcomings of her past partners. Ishtar responds by punishing Gilgamesh with the Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh and Enkidu battle and defeat the bull, which wreaks havoc on the city.

The death of the Bull of Heaven infuriates the gods, who choose to punish Enkidu. They make Enkidu sick and make him suffer a lot. Gilgamesh is distraught as Enkidu’s illness deteriorates and he passes away. Because of his intense sadness over his companion, Gilgamesh begins to wonder about the purpose of existence. He starts to fear dying and the thought that his own life would eventually come to an end.

Gilgamesh is on a quest to locate Utnapishtim, an immortal man who survived a massive flood, since he is determined to find a means to escape death. It is stated that Utnapishtim is aware of the key to eternal existence. Gilgamesh encounters several obstacles as he makes his way over the seas of death and across perilous mountains.

The immortal recounts him the flood account when he eventually makes it to Utnapishtim. The gods forewarned Utnapishtim, a former monarch, that mankind would perish in a massive flood. To save himself, his family, and the animals, he constructed a boat. The gods gave Utnapishtim immortality as a gift for surviving the flood. Gilgamesh is informed by Utnapishtim, however, that immortality is a gift reserved for the gods and is not intended for mankind.

Gilgamesh is put to the test by Utnapishtim, who challenges him to show his merit by being awake for six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh falls asleep nearly instantly after failing the exam. When he awakens, Utnapishtim’s wife proves how long Gilgamesh had been sleeping by baking a loaf of bread for every day he slept.

Gilgamesh is then informed by Utnapishtim that discovering a unique plant that grows at the sea’s bottom is the only way to become immortal. This plant might make you feel younger again. While returning home, Gilgamesh pauses to rest by a well after plunging into the water to recover the plant. Gilgamesh loses the secret to immortality when a snake takes the plant while he is asleep.

When Gilgamesh realizes he cannot achieve immortality, he goes back to Uruk. He has come to terms with the fact that death is unavoidable and that one can only become eternal by leaving a legacy. Gilgamesh makes Uruk a great and enduring civilization by concentrating on it. As he considers his life and accomplishments, he sees that his fortitude and insight have enabled him to construct a metropolis that will live on in the memories of future generations.

Gilgamesh’s acceptance of his mortality marks the epic’s conclusion. He now understands that humans must live in a way that leaves a lasting legacy and that death is a necessary aspect of existence. Ultimately, Gilgamesh’s tale is about appreciating the importance of leading a complete and purposeful life rather than discovering endless life.

Friendship, bereavement, and the human yearning to avoid death are all themes throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh. It examines the pursuit of immortality, interpersonal relationships, and the lessons learned from facing the inevitable. Gilgamesh’s journey teaches us the value of embracing death and discovering purpose in life by our deeds and interpersonal connections.

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