The Epic of Gilgamesh Background Notes Fall 2016 Historical Context

● Gilgamesh was a real Sumerian king who ruled around 2600 B.C. ● He was king of the city Uruk, which was located in the southern part of Mesopotamia on the Euphrates River. Uruk is located in modern day Iraq. Circulation of The Epic ● The Epic of Gilgamesh was passed down through the oral tradition until it was recorded in full around 1600 B.C. ● The most complete version of The Epic to be found was recorded on twelve stone tablets at the library in Nineveh between 668 and 627 B.C. Gilgamesh the King

● Two thirds god and one third man ● Beautiful and powerful ● The Epic tells of his search for immortality ● He ultimately fails in his quest ● Realizes that humans can only achieve immortality through their works and writings Character Quick Reference Irkalla/Ereshkigal-goddess and queen of the Adad-god of rain and thunderstorms underworld, sister of Ishtar and Shamash

Anu-god of the sky and the heavens; father of the Ishtar/Inanna-goddess of the storehouse, love, war, gods and the morning and evening star, called the Queen of Heaven Ea/Enki-god of the drinkable waters, fertility, and artists and artisans, usually favors humans Nergal-husband of Irkalla, god of the underworld

Enkidu-Gilgamesh’s friend; a wildman whom the Ninurta-god of the plow, war, thunder, lightening, gods created of clay hail and heavy rain

Enlil-god of the storm and the wind Shamash/Utu-god of the sun, justice, and law, brother of Ishtar Gilgamesh-hero of the epic and king of Uruk Utnapishtim-survivor of a flood sent by the gods to Humbaba-giant whom Enlil appointed to guard the destroy humanity; granted immortality; Gilgamesh’s cedar forest, killed by Gilgamesh and Enkidu ancestor and former king of Shurrupak