Fertile Crescent myth series Mesopotamian Levantine Arabian Mesopotamia Primordial beings 7 gods who command The great gods Spirits and monsters Tales from Babylon Demigods and Heroes  Adapa, Enkidu Enmerkar, Geshtinanna Gilgamesh, Lugalbanda Shamhat, Siduri Tammuz, Utnapishtim This map shows the extent of the Fertile Crescent. ... Semitic gods refers to the gods or deities of peoples generally classified as speaking a Semitic language. ... Image File history File links Palm_tree_symbol. ... Mesopotamian mythology is the collective name given to Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian mythologies from the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq. ... In the Levantine pantheon, the Elohim are the sons of El the ancient of days (olam) assembled on the divine holy place, Mount Zephon (Jebel Aqra). ... Arabian mythology is the ancient beliefs of the Arabs. ... For other uses, see Mesopotamia (disambiguation). ... The apsû (also known as abzu or engur) was the name for the mythological underground freshwater ocean in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. ... In Sumerian mythology and later for Assyrians and Babylonians, Anu (also An; (from Sumerian *An = sky, heaven)) was a sky-god, the god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods, spirits and demons, and dwelt in the highest heavenly regions. ... In Sumerian mythology, the Annuna, the fifty great gods, whose domain appears to be principally but not exclusively the underworld. ... In Sumerian mythology, the utukku were a type of spirits or demons that could be either benevolent or evil. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Mesopotamian mythology. ... The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ... Adapa or Adamu son of Ea (according to Sayce) was a Babylonian mythical figure who accidentally rejected the gift of immortality. ... Enmerkar, according to the Sumerian king list, was the builder of Uruk, and was said to have reigned for 420 years. It adds that he brought the official kingship with him from the city of Eana, after his father Mesh-ki-ag-gasher, son of Utu, had entered the sea... In sumerian mythology : She is the daughter of Enki and Ninhursag. ... For other uses, see Gilgamesh (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Siduri is a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh. ... Northwest Semitic Tammuz (Hebrew תַּמּוּז, Standard Hebrew Tammuz, Tiberian Hebrew Tammûz), Arabic تمّوز TammÅ«z; Akkadian Duʾzu, DÅ«zu; Sumerian Dumuzid (DUMU.ZID the true son) was the name of an Ancient Near Eastern deity. ... In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim (also known as the Sumerian character Ziusudra) is the wise king of the Sumerian city state of Shuruppak who, along with his wife, whose name was not mentioned in the story, survived a great flood sent by Enlil to drown every living thing on...

Enkidu (𒂗𒆠𒆕 EN.KI.DU₃ "Enki's creation") appears in Sumerian mythology as a mythical wild-man raised by animals. His beast-like ways are finally tamed by a courtesan named Shamhat. Later he adventures with Gilgamesh until his death in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Older sources sometimes transliterate his name as Enkimdu, Eabani, or Enkita. EN (Borger 2003 nr. ... In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag (NIN.URSAG or Ki (= Earth) was the Sumerian earth and mother-goddess she usually appears as the mother of Enlil (Lord air = North wind), Ninlil (Lady air = South wind) , Nanna (= Moon) and Utu (= Sun). ... Enki (DEN.KI(G)) was a deity in Sumerian mythology, later known as Ea in Babylonian mythology, originally chief god of the city of Eridu. ... Chaldean mythology is the collective name given to Sumerian, Assyrian and Babylonian mythologies, although Chaldea did not comprehend the whole territory inhabited by those peoples. ... A courtesan in mid-16th century usage was a high-class prostitute or mistress, especially one associated with rich, powerful, or upper-class men who provided luxuries and status in exchange for her services. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... For other uses, see Gilgamesh (disambiguation). ... The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ...

First Tablet

Enkidu is the quintessential savage person in the beginning of the epic:

"The whole of his body was hairy and his (uncut) locks were like a woman's or the hair of the goddess of grain. Moreover, he knew nothing of settled fields or human beings and was clothed (in skins) like a deity of flocks."

Enkidu roamed with the beasts of the wilderness. He protected the animals, destroying the hunters' traps, and lurked around the watering holes to protect the game. These actions were much to the chagrin of a local trapper. The trapper went to King Gilgamesh to ask for help. Gilgamesh offered the advice "Trapper, go back, take with you a harlot, a child of pleasure ... he will embrace her and the game of the wilderness will surely reject him." The trapper did what he was told, and hired the harlot Shamhat to corrupt the wild man. Enkidu was immediately taken with the harlot and bedded her. Over six days of lust, Enkidu is tainted by the harlot. The animals begin to avoid him, the bond he once shared with them having been broken. Now "he scattered the wolves, he chased away the lions" and the herders could lie down in peace, for Enkidu was now their watchperson. The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

After the abandonment of his animal brethren, Enkidu is introduced to a pastoralist way of life. He works for the trapper and shepherds, hunting and killing the animals he once served. Soon he grows restless, looking for a greater challenge.

Shamhat tells of a great king in the city Uruk (Gilgamesh) and says, too, that he would be a worthy challenge for Enkidu. Gilgamesh is surprised by Enkidu. The two wrestle fiercely for sometime, until suddenly Gilgamesh gains the upper hand and throws Enkidu to the ground. Knowing his defeat, Enkidu praises Gilgamesh and both swear an oath of friendship, and thereafter cohabit.

Enkidu later in the Epic of Gilgamesh

Enkidu assists Gilgamesh in his fight against Humbaba, the guardian monster of the Cedar Forest. Contrary to Enkidu's conscience, he cooperates in killing the defeated Humbaba. Afterwards, he again assists his companion Gilgamesh in slaying the Bull of Heaven, which the gods have sent to kill Gilgamesh as a reprisal to spurning the goddess Ishtar's affections. Upon its destruction, Ishtar demands that the pair should pay for its destruction. Shamash argues to the other gods to spare both of them, but could only save Gilgamesh. The gods pass judgment that Enkidu had no justification for fighting the Bull of Heaven and was interfering with the will of the gods. Enkidu then is overcome by a severe illness. Near death, he has visions of a gloomy afterlife, and curses the trapper and Shamhat for civilizing him. He retracts his curse on Shamhat, however, after Shamash scolds him, reminding him that it was Shamhat who taught him about civilization, and ultimately, brought him to Gilgamesh. In Akkadian mythology Humbaba (Assyrian spelling) or Huwawa (Babylonian) was a monstrous giant who was also the guardian of the Cedar Forest where the gods lived. ... The Cedar Forest is the glorious realm of the gods of Mesopotamian mythology. ... In Akkadian mythology Humbaba (Assyrian spelling) or Huwawa (Babylonian) was a monstrous giant who was also the guardian of the Cedar Forest where the gods lived. ... The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ... The Bull of Heaven is the constellation we call Taurus. ... For other uses, see Ishtar (disambiguation). ... Shamash or Sama, was the common Akkadian name of the sun-god in Babylonia and Assyria, corresponding to Sumerian Utu. ... The Bull of Heaven is the constellation we call Taurus. ...

Gilgamesh mourns over the body of Enkidu for several desperate days. In a vivid line repeated in the epic, Gilgamesh only allows his friend to be buried after a maggot falls out of the corpse's nose. Gilgamesh's close observation of rigor mortis and the slow decomposition of Enkidu's body provides the hero with the impetus for his quest for eternal life, and his visit to Utnapishtim. The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ... In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim (also known as the Sumerian character Ziusudra) is the wise king of the Sumerian city state of Shuruppak who, along with his wife, whose name was not mentioned in the story, survived a great flood sent by Enlil to drown every living thing on...

There is another non-canonical tablet in which Enkidu journeys into the underworld, but many scholars consider the tablet to be a sequel or add-on to the original epic.

Popular Cultural References

Enkidu and the Gilgamesh Epic have had considerable influence on western, world and popular culture--being the model of the heroic adventure story.

• In the anime TV series Gilgamesh, "Enkidu" is the alias of Terumichi Madoka (円 輝道, Madoka Terumichi^?), a young researcher who, years later, becomes the leader of the Gilgamesh, a group of "god-beasts" formed from antimatter. The pseudonym is a play on the on'yomi (Chinese-derived) readings of the kanji characters which form his name.

• In the show Lost the character Locke fills in a crossword clue pertaining to Enkidu from the Epic of Gilgamesh in Collision.

• In the show Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Picard relates the story of Enkidu and Gilgamesh from the Epic of Gilgamesh to a dying Tamarian Captain Dathon in the episode "Darmok". The adventures of Enkidu and Gilgamesh serve as a metaphor for the motivation of the Star Trek characters in the episode.

• The song "Defiling the Gates of Ishtar" by death metal band Nile (band) (from their album Black Seeds of Vengeance) is based on an obscure variation of the Enkidu myth. In this more extreme version, a blasphemous Enkidu commits acts of sacrilege in the temple of the goddess Ishtar. The episode comes to a climax with Enkidu attempting to summon an army of the dead from the underworld.

• The novel "To the Land of the Living" by Robert Silverberg is a major adaption of the legend.

• The Dungeons & Dragons computer gamesBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn Neverwinter Nights and Neverwinter Nights 2 include a magic item named Enkidu's Armor.

• In the novel "Magic Street" by Orson Scott Card, the character Puck is addressed by Titania as Enkidu. The reference also suggests that Titania is Shamhat. In the novel, Puck and Titania are connected to many mystical characters throughout literary history.

• Final Fantasy V contains the characters Gilgamesh and Enkidu based on the myth. They also appear in in Final Fantasy XII as an optional boss battle, and again in Final Fantasy VIII as an assistant in battle, randomly appearing once a certain other assistant falls. They are also mentioned in Final Fantasy IX in Memoria on the pilar to the left after battling Lich, the same location where you get the Excalibur 2 Sword.

• In the 1989 PC/Apple video game Dragon Wars, Enkidu is a beastman demigod worshiped by druids in the realm of the Mystic Woods. He can be summoned with a beast horn, and if defeated in a wrestle match, grants earth based spells to the player.

• In the Whitewolf card game Vampire: the Eternal Struggle, Enkidu is featured as an ancient and powerful Minion Card.

• In Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance a recurring enemy ship is called Enkidu

• In the anime TV series, Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann, Viral's remodeled mecha is named Enkidu.

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Bibliography

The Epic of Gilgamesh, Foster, Benjamin R. trans. & edit. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001. ISBN 0-393-97516-9

See also

• Epic of Gilgamesh