King Gilgamesh
A Story from Ancient Iraq
Retold by

Long ago in Uruk, the ancient city of splendor, Gilgamesh the god-man ruled as
king. He was giant in stature and perfect in beauty. Gilgamesh had no equal in all the
land, but his people did not love him.

The young king lorded it over his subjects like a wild bull with his head held high.
His reckless ways vexed the inhabitants of the city. Day and night he called them away
from their work to engage in contests. He provoked the young men to war games and
competitions of strength. Despite these challenges, no match was found in all of Uruk for
Gilgamesh, who was two-thirds god, one-third man.

The women cried out to the gods on behalf of their weary men. \u201cWhere is our
wise shepherd to guide the flock of Uruk? You have given us, instead, a savage bull!\u201d
When the gods heard the complaints, they summoned the Mother Goddess. She
listened to the cries of the women and fashioned an idea in her mind. She would create

The Mother Goddess washed her hands. She pinched some clay from the banks of
the Euphrates and threw it into the uplands. In the wilderness, she created the man
Enkidu, strong as a rock from the sky. His hair was thick and long; it covered him as a
garment. Enkidu ran with the gazelles, feeding on grass and drinking beside the herd.

Back within the walls of Uruk, King Gilgamesh had a strange dream. He awoke
and hurried to the temple of his mother, the goddess Ninsun, to reveal it to her. \u201cThe stars
of heaven appeared before me,\u201d he said. \u201cA giant rock fell out of the sky and landed at my
feet. I tried to dislodge it, but it was too great for me. The people of Uruk gathered around
it. I presented it to you, who made it my equal.\u201d

Ninsun was clever and wise, knowing everything. She said to her son, \u201cThis is the meaning of your dream: A companion will come to you. His strength is mighty as a rock from the sky. He will be your savior and counselor, and I will call him your equal.\u201d

It came to pass one day that a trapper in the uplands approached the water-hole
where Enkidu and the gazelles where drinking. When he saw the giant wild man, the
trapper\u2019s face froze in terror. He fled to Uruk to inform the king.

\u201cThere is a fearsome man who wanders the hills with the herd!\u201d he cried in King Gilgamesh\u2019s presence. \u201cHe fills in the pits I dig and uproots the snares I set. He won\u2019t let me do the work of the wild.\u201d

Gilgamesh only laughed at the trapper\u2019s concern. He replied, \u201cTake my mother\u2019s servant girl, Shamhat. I wager she can lead him away from his herd and through the gates of Uruk.\u201d Then Gilgamesh dismissed the man with a wave of his hand, and the trapper left the city with Shamhat, Ninsun\u2019s temple servant.

When they reached the water-hole, the trapper and the servant girl waited for the
wild man to arrive with the herd. When the trapper saw Enkidu, he hid in the bushes.
\u201cThere he is, Shamhat!\u201d the trembling man whispered. \u201cTake off your veil and smile
upon him.\u201d

She stepped from the bushes and showed him no fear. Charmed by her smile, the wild man left the herd to join the servant girl. When the gazelles saw this, they ran away for fear of him.

Shamhat soothed Enkidu with gentle words. He sat at her feet and learned the ways of people. She taught him to eat bread and drink ale; she gave him a garment and trimmed his hair. Watching her features, he gained understanding.

\u201cEnkidu, you are as handsome as a god,\u201d Shamhat said. \u201cWhy do you roam like a
wild animal? Come with me to the grand city of Uruk. The temple doors will swing open
for you!\u201d She described the delights of the city and told him of Gilgamesh, perfect in
strength, who ruled over Uruk like a savage bull. \u201cIf only he could find his equal among
men, the people might have rest.\u201d

When Enkidu heard this, he longed for the city. Becoming wise, his heart sought a
friend. \u201cTake me with you,\u201d he said. \u201cI will challenge this Gilgamesh and change the
order of things!\u201d