Epic of Gilgamesh

In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, one theme is common among the various texts: the supreme power of the gods. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about a part-god, part-man individual who rules over the city of Uruk as he interacts with the gods. When he initially becomes too oppressive to his subjects, the gods decide to send down another powerful human to control him, Enkidu. The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh begins as a combat, but quickly becomes a close friendship. The two begin to respect each other and rely on each other. They decide to slay the monster Humbaba, and enter the forbidden forest in order to make themselves famous and so that their names will live on past their lives. After that, the god Ishtar falls in love with Gilgamesh but he rejects her. Out of anger she releases a beast from the heavens, but Enkidu and Gilgamesh are able to destroy this one as well.

Both of these encounters and battles are in clear defiance of the gods. The forbidden forest was established by the great god Enlil who employed the monster Humbaba guard. In the second instance the gods again were defied by Gilgamesh when he refused Ishtar’s love and killed Bull of Heaven. This gives us a different perspective of the relationships of the gods and the humans. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are more daring enough to go directly against the will of the gods, however at some points they still observe divine power. Frequently throughout the journey to the forest, Gilgamesh makes an offering to the gods, and prays to them for success. This pattern displays two different sides to the characters Gilgamesh and Enkidu. On one hand they disobey the gods, and on another they put themselves beneath the gods and beg for help.