Gilgamesh and Huwawa,

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version A

Now the lord once decided to set off for the mountain where the man lives; lord Gilgamec decided to set off for the mountain where the man lives. He spoke to his slave Enkidu:

" Enkidu, since a man cannot pass beyond the final end of life, I want to set off into the mountains, to establish my renown there. Where renown can be established there, I will establish my renown; and where no renown can be established there, I shall establish the renown of the gods."

His slave Enkidu answered him: "My lord, if today you want to set off into the mountains, Utu should know about it from us. (1 ms. adds: If you want to set off into the Mountains of Cedar-felling, Utu should know about it from us.) Utu, youthful Utu, should know about it from us. A decision that concerns the mountains is Utu's business. A decision that concerns the Mountains of Cedar-felling is the business of youthful Utu. Utu should know about it from us."

Gilgamec prepared (2 mss. have instead: took hold of) a white kid. He clasped a brown kid, a sacrificial animal, close to his breast. (1 ms. has instead: He ...... a brown kid.) In his hand he held a holy staff before his nose, as he addressed Utu of heaven:

" Utu, I want to set off into the mountains! May you be my helper! I want to set off into the Mountains of Cedar-felling! May you be my helper!"

From heaven Utu replied to him: "Young man, you are noble already in your own right -- but what would you want with the mountains?"

" Utu, I have something to say to you -- a word in your ear! I greet you -- please pay attention! In my city people are dying, and hearts are full of distress. People are lost -- that fills me with (1 ms. adds wretched) dismay. I craned my neck over the city wall: corpses in the water make the river almost overflow. That is what I see. That will happen to me too -- that is the way things go. No one is tall enough to reach heaven; no one can reach wide enough to stretch over the mountains. Since a man cannot pass beyond the final end of life, I want to set off into the mountains, to establish my renown there. Where renown can be established there, I will establish my renown; and where no renown can be established there, I shall establish the renown of the gods."

Utu accepted his tears as a fitting gift. As befits a compassionate person, he turned to him full of compassion: "Now there are seven warriors, sons of a single mother. The first, their eldest brother, has lion's paws and eagle's talons. The second is a ...... snake, ....... The third is a dragon snake, ....... The fourth blazes with fire ....... The fifth is a ...... snake, ....... The sixth (1 ms. adds: , a shackle that ...... the rebel lands in the hills,) beats at the flanks of the mountains like a battering flood (1 ms. has instead: , floodwater that destroys all). The seventh ...... flashes like lightning, and no one can deflect it (1 ms. has instead: its power).

(1 ms. adds 4 lines: 4 lines fragmentary)
(another ms. adds instead 6 lines:

2 lines fragmentary

...... kingship ....... Nisaba has bestowed ...... on you in addition. They ......, and know the routes on earth. They will help you find the ...... of the way.) They should guide you through the mountain valleys! The warrior, youthful Utu, gave these seven to Gilgamec. (3 mss. have instead the line, placed after line 43: These seven the warrior, youthful Utu, gave to lord Gilgamec.) The feller of cedars was filled with joy; lord Gilgamec was filled with joy.

In his city he had the horn sounded for single men; similarly for two together he made them call out. "Let him who has a household go to his household! Let him who has a mother go to his mother! Let bachelor males, types like me, (4 mss. add: -- fifty of them --) join me at my side!"

Whoever had a household went to his household. Whoever had a mother went to his mother. Bachelor males, types like him -- there were fifty -- joined him at his side. He made his way to the blacksmith's, and had them cast ...... weapons and axes, the strength of warriors. Then he made his way to the deeply shaded plantations, where he had ebony trees felled, and halub trees, apricot trees, and box trees. He ...... to his fellow-citizens who were going with him. (1 ms. adds: Warriors, sons of a single mother .......) The first, their eldest brother, has lion's paws and eagle's claws. They will guide him through the mountain valleys.

He crossed the first mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there (1 ms. has instead: the cedars did not catch his attention). (The same ms. adds: He crossed the second mountain range, but the cedars did not catch his attention. He crossed the third mountain range, but the cedars did not catch his attention. He crossed the fourth mountain range, but the cedars did not catch his attention. He crossed the fifth mountain range, but the cedars did not catch his attention. He crossed the sixth mountain range, but the cedars did not catch his attention.)

(Another ms. adds instead: unknown no. of lines missing.

He crossed the third mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fourth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fifth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the sixth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there.)

When he had crossed the seventh mountain range, there his intuition led him to find the cedars. He did not need to ask, nor did he have to search any further. Lord Gilgamec began to chop at the cedars, while Enkidu lopped off their branches, ...... to Gilgamec. (1 ms. has instead: while Enkidu ...... their branches, and his fellow-citizens .......) (1 ms. adds: to ......, Enkidu .......) ...... stacked them in piles. (1 ms. adds: Huwawa .......) He loosed his terrors against ....... (instead of lines 65-67, 1 ms. has instead: while Enkidu cut up the timbers, and the widows' sons who had come with him heaped them up in piles. Since, because of the ......, Huwawa had been scared in his lair by Gilgamec, he began to radiate his terrors .......)

Gilgamec ...... was overcome by sleep, and it affected Enkidu ...... as a powerful longing. His fellow-citizens who had come with him flailed around at his feet like puppies. Enkidu awoke from his dream, shuddering from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes; there was eery silence everywhere. He touched Gilgamec, but could not rouse him. He spoke to him, but he did not reply.

"You who have gone to sleep, you who have gone to sleep! Gilgamec, young lord of Kulaba, how long will you sleep for? The mountains are becoming indistinct as the shadows fall across them; the evening twilight lies over them. Proud Utu is already on his way to the bosom of his mother Ningal. Gilgamec, how long will you sleep for? The sons of your city who came with you should not have to wait at the foot of the hills. Their own mothers should not have to twine string in the square of your city."

He thrust that into his right ear; he covered him with his aggressive words as if with a cloth (1 ms. adds: , laid them out like linen). He gathered (3 mss. have instead: picked up) in his hand a cloth with thirty shekels of oil on it and smothered (1 ms. has instead: rubbed) it over Gilgamec's chest. Then Gilgamec stood up like a bull on the great earth. Bending his neck downwards, he yelled at him:

"By the life of my own mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! Am I to become again as if I were slumbering still on the lap of my own mother Ninsun?"

A second time he spoke to him: "By the life of my own mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! Until I discover whether that person was a human or a god, I shall not direct back to the city my steps which I have directed to the mountains."

The slave, trying to ameliorate the situation, trying to make life appear more attractive, answered his master:

"My master, you have not yet really seen that person, he should not vex you. -- But he vexes me -- me, who have seen him before. His pugnacious mouth is a dragon's maw; his face is a lion's grimace. His chest is like a raging flood; no one dare approach (1 ms. has instead: can escape from) his brow, which devours the reed-beds. (2 mss. adds 1 line: A man-eating lion, he never wipes away the blood from his slaver.)

(1 ms. adds instead 5 lines: 1 line fragmentary

...... a lion eating a corpse, he never wipes away the blood

3 lines fragmentary)

Travel on, my master, up into the mountains! -- but I shall travel back to the city. If I say to your mother about you "He is alive!", she will laugh. But afterwards I shall say to her about you "He is dead!", and she will certainly weep over you (1 ms. has instead: bitterly)." (1 ms. adds: ...... replied to ......:)

"Look, Enkidu, two people together will not perish! A grappling-pole does not sink! No one can cut through a three-ply cloth! Water cannot wash someone away from a wall! Fire in a reed house cannot be extinguished! You help me, and I will help you -- what can anyone do against us then? When it sank, when it sank, when the Magan boat sank, when the magilum barge sank, then at least the life-saving grappling-pole of the boat was rescued (1 ms. has instead: was not allowed to sink)! Come on, let's get after him and get a sight of him!

"If we go after him, there will be terror! There will be terror. Turn back! Is it advisable? Is it advisable? Turn back!"

"Whatever you may think -- come on, let's get after him!

Before a man can approach within even sixty times six yards, Huwawa has already reached his house among the cedars. When he looks at someone, it is the look of death. When he shakes his head at someone, it is a gesture full of reproach. (1 ms. adds: When he speaks to someone, he certainly does not prolong his words:) "You may still be a young man, but you will never again return to the city of your mother who bore you!"

Fear and terror spread through his (1 ms. has instead: Gilgamec's) sinews and his feet. He could not move (?) his feet on the ground; the big toenails of his feet stuck ...... to the path (?). At his side .......

( Huwawa addressed Gilgamec:) "So come on now, you heroic bearer of a sceptre of wide-ranging power! Noble glory of the gods, angry bull standing ready for a fight! Your mother knew well how to bear sons, and your nurse knew well how to nourish children on the breast! Don't be afraid, rest your hand on the ground!

Gilgamec rested his hand on the ground, and addressed Huwawa: "By the life of my own mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought you En-me-barage-si, my big sister, to be your wife in the mountains."

And again he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought you Ma-tur, my little sister, to be your concubine in the mountains. Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman!"

Then Huwawa handed over to him his first terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.

(Several mss. preserve a more elaborate, but repetitive, narrative built on the pattern of lines 145-148. Some preserve the repetitions in an extremely abbreviated form. No ms. known to be from Nippur preserves the additional lines. One ms. of unknown origin adds at least 53 lines (and another fragmentary ms. of unknown origin gives an abbreviated version of these, always replacing 'terror' by 'aura'):

And again he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought to the mountains for you ....... Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman! "Then Huwawa handed over to him his second terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.

And a third time he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought to the mountains for you some eca flour -- the food of the gods! -- and a water skin of cool water. Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman! " Then Huwawa handed over to him his third terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.

And a fourth time he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought to the mountains for you some big shoes for big feet. Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman! " Then Huwawa handed over to him his fourth terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.

And a fifth time he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought to the mountains for you some tiny shoes for your tiny feet. Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman! " Then Huwawa handed over to him his fifth terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.

And a sixth time he addressed him: "By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! No one really knows where in the mountains you live; they would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here, I have brought you rock-crystal, nir stone and lapis lazuli -- from the mountains. Couldn't I get close to you and your family? Just hand over your terrors to me! I want to become your kinsman! " Then Huwawa handed over to him his sixth terror. Gilgamec's fellow-citizens who had come with him began to lop off the branches and bundle them together, so as to lay them down at the foot of the hills.)

When Huwawa had finally handed over to him his seventh terror, Gilgamec found himself beside Huwawa. He went up to him gradually (1 ms. has instead: ......) from behind, as one does with a ...... snake. He made as if to kiss him, but then punched him on the cheek with his fist.

Huwawa bared his teeth at him (1 ms. adds: , furrowing his brows at him). (2 mss. from Ur add 8 lines: Huwawa addressed Gilgamec: "Hero, ...... to act falsely!" The two of them ...... on him ....... ...... the warrior from his dwelling. ...... said to him, "Sit down!" ...... Huwawa from his dwelling. ...... said to him, "Sit down!" The warrior sat down and began to weep, shedding tears. Huwawa sat down and began to weep, shedding tears. Huwawa ...... plea ...... to Gilgamec.) (instead of ll. 152A-152H, 2 other mss. add 2 lines:) He threw a halter over him as over a captured wild bull. He tied up his arms like a captured man.) (one of the mss. adds 1 further line: Huwawa wept, .......)

He tugged at Gilgamec's hand. (4 mss. have instead: " Gilgamec, let me go!") "I want to talk to Utu! "" Utu, I never knew a mother who bore me, nor a father who brought me up! I was born in the mountains -- you brought me up! Yet Gilgamec swore to me by heaven, by earth, and by the mountains."

Huwawa clutched at Gilgamec's hand, and prostrated himself before him. Then Gilgamec's noble heart took pity on him. Gilgamec addressed Enkidu (3 mss. have instead: He addressed his slave Enkidu):

" Enkidu, let the captured bird run away home! Let the captured man return to his mother's embrace!

Enkidu replied to Gilgamec (2 mss. have instead: His slave Enkidu replied): "Come on now, you heroic bearer of a sceptre of wide-ranging power! Noble glory of the gods, angry bull standing ready for a fight! Young lord Gilgamec, cherished in Unug, your mother knew well how to bear sons, and your nurse knew well how to nourish children! -- One so exalted and yet so lacking in understanding (1 ms. has instead: judgment) will be devoured by fate without him ever understanding that fate. The very idea that a captured bird should run away home, or a captured man should return to his mother's embrace! -- Then you yourself would never get back to the mother-city that bore you! (1 ms. adds: A captured warrior set free! A captured high priestess ...... to the jipar! A captured gudu priest restored to his wig of hair! ...... ever, ever ......?

2 lines fragmentary

...... his attention to his words .......)

Huwawa addressed Enkidu: " Enkidu, you speak such hateful you speak such hateful words to him. (2 mss. have instead: why do you speak such hateful words to him?)"

(1 ms. adds: 2 lines fragmentary)

As Huwawa spoke thus to him, Enkidu, full of rage and anger, cut his throat (2 mss. from Nippur have instead: they cut his throat). He put (1 ms. has instead:) He chucked (the same 2 mss. from Nippur have instead: They put) his head in a leather bag.

They entered before Enlil. After they had kissed the ground before Enlil, they threw the leather bag down, tipped out his head, and placed it before Enlil. When Enlil saw the head of Huwawa, he spoke angrily to Gilgamec: (instead of lines 181-186, 1 ms. has: They brought it before Enlil and Ninlil. When Enlil approached (?), ...... went out the window (?), and Ninlil went out ....... When Enlil with Ninlil had returned (?),)

"Why did you act in this way? ...... did you act ......? (1 ms. has instead: Was it commanded that his name should be wiped from the earth?) He should have sat before you! (1 ms. has instead: He should have sat ......, .......) He should have eaten the bread that you eat, and should have drunk the water that you drink! He should have been honoured ...... you! (1 ms. has instead: Huwawa -- he ...... honoured!)" (1 other ms. has instead: From his seat, Enlil assigned Huwawa's heavenly auras to .......)

(the ms. tradition for lines 193-199 is extremely confused about the order in which the various auras are assigned; the following sequence is a compromise:) He gave Huwawa's first aura to the fields. He gave his second aura to the rivers. He gave his third aura to the reed-beds. He gave his fourth aura to the lions. He gave his fifth aura to the palace (1 ms. has instead: debt slaves) . He gave his sixth aura to the forests (1 ms. has instead: the hills). He gave his seventh aura to Nungal (the goddess of prisoners) .

...... his terror ...... (1 ms. or possibly 2 mss. have instead: ...... the rest of the auras ...... Gilgamec .......)

Mighty one, Gilgamec, who is cherished! (1 ms. has instead: be praised! Enkidu, be praised!) Nisaba, be praised! (instead of lines 201-202, 1 ms. has: Huwawa, ......! ...... cherished, ......! Enkidu, be praised ......!)

Version B

"So come on now, you heroic bearer of a sceptre of wide-ranging power! Noble glory of the gods, angry bull standing ready for a fight! Young lord Gilgamec, cherished in Unug!"

"In Unug people are dying, and souls are full of distress. People are lost -- that fills me with dismay. I lean out over the city wall: bodies in the water make the river almost overflow. That is what I see: that people die thus, which fills me with despair; that the end of life is unavoidable; that the grave, the all-powerful underworld, will spare no one; that no one is tall enough to block off the underworld; that no one is broad enough to cover over the underworld -- the boundary that a man cannot cross at the final end of life. By the life of my own mother Ninsun, and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! My personal god Enki, lord Nudimmud,

3 lines fragmentary

I will complete ...... there. I will bring ...... there."

His slave Enkidu answered him: "...... if you want to set off into the mountains, Utu should know about it from you. If you want to set off into the Mountains of Cedar-felling, Utu should know about it from you. A decision that concerns the mountains is Utu's business. A decision that concerns the Mountains of Cedar-felling is the business of youthful Utu."

Utu of heaven put on his lapis-lazuli diadem and came forward with head high. In his hand Gilgamec, the lord of Kulaba, held a holy staff before his nose: " Utu, I want to set off into the mountains! May you be my helper! I want to set off into the Mountains of Cedar-felling! May you be my helper!"

4 lines missing

"The first ....... The second ....... The third ....... The fourth ....... The fifth ....... The sixth beats at the flanks of the mountains like a battering flood. The seventh flashes like lightning, and no one can deflect its power. These shine in the heavens, but they know the routes on earth. In heaven they shine ......, raising ......; on earth they know the way even to Aratta. They know the passes as the merchants do. They know the mountains crannies like the pigeons. They will guide you through the mountain valleys."

Gilgamec organised a levy in his city. In ...... Kulaba he had the horn sounded. "Citizens! You who have a wife, go to your wife! You who have children, go to your children! Warriors, whether experienced or inexperienced, who have no wife, who have no children -- let such people join me at my side as the companions of Gilgamec."

The king left the city. Gilgamec left Kulaba, to follow the route to the Mountains of Cedar-felling. He crossed the first mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the second mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the third mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fourth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the fifth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. He crossed the sixth mountain range, but his intuition did not lead him to find the cedars there. When he had crossed the seventh mountain range, there his intuition led him to find the cedars.

Gilgamec began to chop at the cedars. His slave Enkidu worked on the branches for him. His fellow-citizens who had come with him stacked them in piles.

Then, as one warrior got closer to the other, the aura of Huwawa ...... sped towards them like a spear (?). ...... he rested there peacefully. He was asleep (?) .......

3 lines missing

...... addressed (?) ......: "You who have gone to sleep, you who have gone to sleep ......! Young lord Gilgamec, how long will you sleep for? The mountains are becoming indistinct as the shadows fall across them; the evening ......."

Gilgamec awoke from his dream, shuddering from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes; there was eery silence everywhere. "By the life of my own mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! My personal god Enki, lord Nudimmud ......!

2 lines missing

"I ......, he vexes (?) me -- the warrior whose face is a lion's grimace, and whose breast is like a raging flood. No one dare approach his brow, which devours the reed-beds. On his tongue, like that of a man-eating lion, the blood never dries. You do not have enough strength for the warrior, such is his might.

His slave Enkidu addressed him:

2 lines fragmentary

"By the life of my own mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! My personal god Enki, lord Nudimmud ......! Warrior, one would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here! they have made some tiny shoes for your tiny feet. Here! they have made some big shoes for your big feet.

4 lines missing

If you bring .......

"By the life of my mother Ninsun and of my father, holy Lugalbanda! My personal god Enki, lord Nudimmud ......! Warrior, one would like to know where in the mountains you live. Here! they have made some tiny shoes for your tiny feet. Here! they have made some big shoes for your big feet.

2 lines fragmentary

13 lines missing

They ...... many piles on the hillside.

When Huwawa had finally handed over to him his seventh aura, Gilgamec found himself beside Huwawa. He punched him on the ear with his fist. Huwawa furrowed his brows at him, baring his teeth at him. Gilgamec threw a halter over him, as over a captured wild bull. He tied him up by the elbows like a captured warrior.

The warrior began to weep, shedding tears. Huwawa began to weep, shedding tears.

"Warrior, you lied! You have manhandled me; yet you had sworn an oath, by the life of your own mother Ninsun and of your father, holy Lugalbanda. Your personal god Enki, lord Nudimmud ......! And now you have thrown a halter over me as if over a captured wild bull, and have tied me up by the elbows like a captured warrior!"

...... Gilgamec's noble heart took pity on him. He addressed his slave Enkidu: "Come on, let us set the warrior free! He could be our guide! He could be our guide who would spy out the pitfalls of the route for us! He could be my ......! He could carry all my things!

1 line fragmentary

His slave Enkidu replied to him (1 ms. has instead: ...... replied to Gilgamec): "...... so lacking in understanding! ...... with no ......! ...... with not ......! A captured warrior set free! A captured high priestess returned to the jipar! A captured gudu priest restored to his wig of hair! Who has ever, ever seen such a thing? He would be able to ...... the mountain routes. He would be able to mix up the mountain paths. Then we would never get back to the mother-city that bore us!

4 lines missing

Huwawa replied to him: "The mother who bore me was a cave in the mountains. The father who engendered me was a cave in the hills. Utu left me to live all alone in the mountains!"

Gilgamec addressed Huwawa: "Come on, ......."

unknown no. of lines missing

Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the nether world

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Version A, from Nibru, Urim, and elsewhere

In those days, in those distant days, in those nights, in those remote nights, in those years, in those distant years; in days of yore, when the necessary things had been brought into manifest existence, in days of yore, when the necessary things had been for the first time properly cared for, when bread had been tasted for the first time in the shrines of the Land, when the ovens of the Land had been made to work, when the heavens had been separated from the earth, when the earth had been delimited from the heavens, when the fame of mankind had been established, when An had taken the heavens for himself, when Enlil had taken the earth for himself, when the nether world had been given to Erec-kigala as a gift; when he set sail, when he set sail, when the father set sail for the nether world, when Enki set sail for the nether world -- against the king a storm of small hailstones arose, against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose. The small ones were light hammers, the large ones were like stones from catapults (?). The keel of Enki's little boat was trembling as if it were being butted by turtles, the waves at the bow of the boat rose to devour the king like wolves and the waves at the stern of the boat were attacking Enki like a lion.

At that time, there was a single tree, a single halub tree, a single tree, growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates, being watered by the Euphrates. The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches, and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away. A woman, respectful of An's words, was walking along; a woman, respectful of Enlil's words, was walking along, and took the tree and brought it into Unug, into Inana's luxuriant garden.

The woman planted the tree with her feet, but not with her hands. The woman watered it using her feet but not her hands. She said: "When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?" She said: "When this will be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?" Five years, ten years went by, the tree grew massive; its bark, however, did not split. At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest. In its branches, the Anzud bird settled its young. In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling, the maid who laughs with a joyful heart. But holy Inana cried!

When dawn was breaking, when the horizon became bright, when the little birds, at the break of dawn, began to clamour, when Utu had left his bedchamber, his sister holy Inana said to the young warrior Utu: "My brother, in those days when destiny was determined, when abundance overflowed in the Land, when An had taken the heavens for himself, when Enlil had taken the earth for himself, when the nether world had been given to Erec-kigala as a gift; when he set sail, when he set sail, when the father set sail for the nether world, when Enki set sail for the nether world -- against the lord a storm of small hailstones arose, against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose. The small ones were light hammers, the large ones were like stones from catapults (?). The keel of Enki's little boat was trembling as if it were being butted by turtles, the waves at the bow of the boat rose to devour the lord like wolves and the waves at the stern of the boat were attacking Enki like a lion.

"At that time, there was a single tree, a single halub tree, a single tree (?), growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates, being watered by the Euphrates. The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches, and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away. I, a woman, respectful of An's words, was walking along; I, a woman, respectful of Enlil's words, was walking along, and took the tree and brought it into Unug, into holy Inana's luxuriant garden.

"I, the woman, planted the tree with my feet, but not with my hands. I, Inana (1 ms. has instead: the woman), watered it using my feet but not my hands. She said: "When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?" She said: "When will this be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?" Five years, ten years had gone by, the tree had grown massive; its bark, however, did not split. At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest. In its branches, the Anzud bird settled its young. In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling, the maid who laughs with a joyful heart. But holy Inana cried!" Her brother, the young warrior Utu, however, did not stand by her in the matter.

When dawn was breaking, when the horizon became bright, when the little birds, at the break of dawn, began to clamour, when Utu had left his bedchamber, his sister holy Inana said to the warrior Gilgamec: "My brother, in those days when destiny was determined, when abundance overflowed in the Land, when An had taken the heavens for himself, when Enlil had taken the earth for himself, when the nether world had been given to Erec-kigala as a gift; when he set sail, when he set sail, when the father set sail for the nether world, when Enki set sail for the nether world -- against the lord a storm of small hailstones arose, against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose. The small ones were light hammers, the large ones were like stones from catapults (?). The keel of Enki's little boat was trembling as if it were being butted by turtles, the waves at the bow of the boat rose to devour the lord like wolves and the waves at the stern of the boat were attacking Enki like a lion.

"At that time, there was a single tree, a single halub tree, a single tree (?), growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates, being watered by the Euphrates. The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches, and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away. I, a woman, respectful of An's words, was walking along; I, a woman, respectful of Enlil's words, was walking along, and took the tree and brought it into Unug, into Inana's luxuriant garden.

"The woman planted the tree with her feet, but not with her hands. Inana watered it using her feet but not her hands. She said: "When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?" She said: "When will this be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?" Five years, ten years had gone by, the tree had grown massive; its bark, however, did not split. At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest. In its branches, the Anzud bird settled its young. In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling, the maid who laughs with a joyful heart. But holy Inana (1 ms. has instead: I, holy Inana,) cried!" In the matter which his sister had told him about, her brother, the warrior Gilgamec, stood by her.

He strapped (1 ms. has instead: ......) his ...... belt of 50 minas weight to his waist -- 50 minas were to him as 30 shekels. He took his bronze axe used for expeditions, which weighs seven talents and seven minas, in his hand. He killed the snake immune to incantations living at its roots. The Anzud bird living in its branches took up its young and went into the mountains. The phantom maid living in its trunk left (?) her dwelling and sought refuge in the wilderness. As for the tree, he uprooted it and stripped its branches, and the sons of his city, who went with him, cut up its branches and bundled them (1 ms. has instead: piled them up). He gave it to his sister holy Inana for her chair. He gave it to her for her bed. As for himself, from its roots, he manufactured his ellag and, from its branches, he manufactured his ekidma (the correct pronunciation of this word is unknown).

He played ellag in the broad square, never wanting to stop playing it, and he praised himself in the broad square, never wanting to stop praising himself. (mss. from Urim add: The young men of his city were playing ellag.) For (?) him who made the team of the widows' children ......, they lamented: "O my neck! O my hips!" For those that had a mother, the mother brought bread for her son; for those that had a sister, the sister poured water for her brother. As the evening came, he marked the spot where the ellag had been placed, and he picked up his ellag from in front of him and took it home. But early in the morning as he ...... the place marked, the widows' accusation and the young girls' complaint caused his ellag and his ekidma to fall down to the bottom of the nether world. (1 ms. adds: He could not reach them by .......) He tried with his hand but could not reach (1 ms. has instead: touch) them, tried with his foot but could not reach (1 ms. has instead: touch) them.

At the gate of Ganzer, in front of the nether world, he sat down. Gilgamec wept, crying bitterly: "O my ellag! O my ekidma! O my ellag, I am still not satiated with its charms, the game with it has not yet palled for me! If only my ellag waited still in the carpenter's house for me! I would treat the carpenter's wife like my own mother -- if only it waited still there for me! I would treat the carpenter's child like my little sister -- if only it waited still there for me! My ellag has fallen down to the nether world -- who will retrieve it for me? (1 ms. has instead: Who will retrieve my ellag from the nether world?) My ekidma has fallen down to Ganzer -- who will retrieve it for me? (1 ms. has instead: Who will retrieve my ekidma from Ganzer?)"

His servant Enkidu answered (1 ms. has instead: said to) him (1 ms. has instead: Gilgamec): "My king, you weep; why does your heart worry? Today I shall retrieve your ellag from the nether world, I shall retrieve your ekidma from Ganzer." Gilgamec answered Enkidu: " If today (1 ms. has instead: If) you are going to go down to the nether world, let me advise you! My instructions should be followed. Let me talk to you! Pay attention to my words (1 ms. has instead: My words should be followed)!

"You should not put on your clean garments: they would recognise immediately that you are alien. You should not anoint yourself with fine oil from a bowl: they would surround you at its (1 ms. has instead: your) scent. You should not hurl throw-sticks in the nether world: those struck down by the throw-sticks would surround you. You should not hold a cornel-wood stick in your hand: the spirits would feel insulted by you. You should not put sandals on your feet. You should not shout in the nether world. You should not kiss your beloved wife. You should not hit your wife even if you are annoyed with her. You should not kiss your beloved child. You should not hit your son even if you are annoyed with him. The outcry aroused would detain you in the nether world."

"She who lies there, she who lies there, Ninazu's mother who lies there -- her pure shoulders are not covered with a garment, and no linen is spread over her pure breast. She has fingers like a pickaxe, she plucks her hair out like leeks."

Enkidu, however, did not heed not his master's words. He put on his clean garments and they recognised that he was alien. He anointed himself with fine oil from a bowl and they surrounded him at its scent. He hurled throw-sticks in the nether world and those struck down by the throw-sticks surrounded him. He held a cornel-wood stick in his hand and the spirits felt insulted by him. He put sandals on his feet. He caused irritation in the nether world. He kissed his beloved wife and hit his wife when he was annoyed with her. He kissed his beloved child and hit his son when he was annoyed with him. He aroused an outcry and was detained in the nether world.

Warrior Gilgamec, son of Ninsumun, directed his steps on his own to E-kur, the temple of Enlil. He cried before Enlil: "Father Enlil, my ellag fell down into the nether world, my ekidma fell down into Ganzer. Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him. The udug demon of Nergal, who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him. He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him." Father Enlil did not stand by him in the matter, so he went to Eridug.

In Eridug he directed his steps on his own to the temple of Enki. He cried before Enki: "Father Enki, my ellag fell down into the nether world, my ekidma fell down into Ganzer. Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him. The udug demon of Nergal, who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him. He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him." Father Enki stood by him in this matter.

He said to the young warrior Utu, the son born by Ningal: "Open a hole in the nether world immediately, and then bring up his servant from the nether world!" He opened a hole in the nether world and brought up his servant with his breeze (?) from the nether world.

They hugged and kissed. They wearied each other with questions: "Did you see the order of the nether world? -- If only you would tell me, my friend, if only you would tell me!" "If I tell you the order of the nether world, sit down and weep! I shall sit down and weep! ......, which your heart rejoiced to touch, is ......, worms infest it like an old garment (?); like ...... of (?) a crevice, it is full of dust." "Alas!" he said and sat down in the dust.

"Did you see him who had one son?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He weeps bitterly at the wooden peg which was driven into his wall." "Did you see him who had two sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He sits on a couple of bricks, eating bread." "Did you see him who had three sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He drinks water from a saddle water skin." "Did you see him who had four sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His heart rejoices like a man who has four asses to yoke." "Did you see him who had five sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "Like a good scribe he is indefatigable, he enters the palace easily." "Did you see him who had six sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He is a cheerful as a ploughman." "Did you see him who had seven sons?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "As a companion of the gods, he sits on a throne and listens to judgments."

"Did you see the palace eunuch?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "Like a useless alala stick he is propped in a corner." "Did you see the woman who never gave birth?" "I saw her." "How does she fare?" "Like a ...... pot, she is thrown away violently, she gives no man joy." "Did you see the young man who never undressed his wife?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "You finish a rope, and he weeps over the rope." "Did you see the young woman who never undressed her husband?" "I saw her." "How does she fare?" "You finish a reed mat, and she weeps over the reed mat." "Did you see him who had no heir?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "Like him who ...... bricks (?), he eats bread." "......?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?"

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"Did you see ......?" "His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him." (1 ms. adds: "Did you see him who was eaten by a lion?" "He cries bitterly "O my hands! O my legs!" ""Did you see him who fell down from the roof?" "They cannot ...... his bones.") "Did you see the leprous man?" "He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who fell in battle?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs ...... tossed out in the street." "Did you see him hit by a ship's board (1 ms. adds: when diving (?))? How does he fare?" ""Alas, my mother!" the man cries to her, as he pulls out the ship's board ......, he ...... cross beam ...... crumbs." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee." "Did you see him who died ......?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He lies on a bed of the gods." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His spirit is not about. His smoke went up to the sky."

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A version from Urim (UET 6 58)

"Did you see him who fell down from the roof?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "They cannot ...... his bones." "Did you see him who was struck in (?) a flood-storm of (?) Ickur?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see the leprous man?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him. He lives outside the city."

"Did you see him who had no respect for the word of his mother and father?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" ""O my body! O my limbs!" he never ceases to cry." "Did you see him who was reached by the curse of his mother and father?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He is deprived of an heir. His spirit roams about." "Did you see him who ...... the name of his god?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "His spirit ......." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs ...... tossed out in the street." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His smoke went up to the sky. His spirit does not live in the underworld."

"Did you see him who lied to the gods while swearing an oath?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "He drinks ...... which has been drunk ...... the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world." "Did you see the citizen of Jirsu who refused (?) water to his father and his mother?" "I saw him." "How does he fare?" "In front of each of them are a thousand Amorites, and his spirit can neither ...... nor ....... The Amorites at the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world ......." "Did you see the citizens of Sumer and Akkad?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "They drink the water of the ...... place, muddy water." "Did you see where my father and my mother live?" "I saw them." "How do they fare?" "Both of them drink the water of the ...... place, muddy water."

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Another version from Urim (UET 6 59)

SEGMENT A

"Did you see him hit by a ship's board? How does he fare?" ""Alas, my mother!" the man cries to her, as he pulls out ......, he ...... crossbeam ...... crumbs." "Did you see him who fell down from the roof? How does he fare?" "He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who was reached by the curse of his mother? How does he fare?" "He is deprived of an heir. His spirit roams (?) about." "Did you see him who had no respect for the word of his father and his mother? How does he fare?"

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SEGMENT B

"His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him." "Did you see him who fell in battle? How does he fare?" "His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps." "Did you see him who ......? How does he fare?" "...... from his (?) hand ......." "Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings? How does he fare?" "He eats the scraps and the crumbs tossed out in the street." "Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence? How do they fare?" "They play with a bucket of gold and silver, full of honey and ghee." "Did you see him who was set on fire?" "I did not see him. His spirit is not there. His smoke went up to the sky."

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A third version from Urim (UET 6 60)

They returned to Unug, they returned to their city. He entered outfitted with tools and armaments, with an axe and a spear, and deposited them in his palace happily. Looking at the statue, the young men and women of Unug and the old men (?) and women of Kulaba rejoiced. As Utu came forth from his bedchamber, Gilgamec (?) raised his head and told them (?): "My father and my mother, drink clean water!" Midday had hardly passed when they touched the statue's (?) crown.

Gilgamec threw himself down at the place of mourning, he threw himself down for nine days at the place of mourning. The young men and women of Unug and the old men (?) and women of Kulaba wept. As soon as he had said that, he repulsed the citizen of &G;irsu. "My father and my mother, drink clean water!"

Warrior Gilgamec, son of Ninsumun, sweet is your praise!

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A version from Me-Turan

SEGMENT A

...... surrounded him. He carried ...... and the spirits felt insulted (?) by him. He caused (?) .......

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He kissed his beloved wife, and hit his wife when he was angry with her. He kissed his beloved child, and hit his son when he was angry with him. He aroused an outcry and was detained in the nether world.

From that fateful day and for seven days his servant, Enkidu, did not come out from the nether world. The king was lamenting, crying bitterly: "My beloved servant, my faithful companion, my counsellor, has been seized in the nether world! Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but he was seized in the nether world. The udug of Nergal who ...... did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world. He did not fall in battle on the field of ......, but he was seized in the nether world."

He directed his steps on his own to E-kur, the temple of Enlil. Before Enlil, he ......: "My ellag fell down into the nether world, my ekidma fell down into Ganzer. But Enkidu, going down to retrieve them, my beloved servant, my faithful companion, my counsellor, was seized in the nether world. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world. ...... did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world."

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SEGMENT B

"Did you see him who had one son? How does he fare?" "He weeps bitterly ......." "Did you see him who had two sons? How does he fare?" "He sits on ......." "Did you see him who had three sons? How does he fare?" "He drinks water ......." "Did you see him who had four sons? How does he fare?" "His heart is happy (1 ms. adds: like a man who has four asses to yoke)." "Did you see him who had five sons? How does he fare?" "Like a good scribe he is indefatigable, he enters the palace easily." "Did you see him who had six sons? How does he fare?" "He is cheerful as a ploughman." "Did you see him who had seven sons? How does he fare?" "As a companion of the gods he sits on a throne and listens to judgments." "Did you see him who had no heir? How does he fare?" "Like (?) ...... he eats bread."

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"Did you see him ......? How does he fare?" "He drinks water ......." "Did you see him ......? How does he fare?" "He ...... as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who was eaten by a dog? How does he fare?" "He ...... "O my hands! O my legs! O ......!" " "Did you see him hit (?) by the mast of a boat? How does he fare?" ""Alas, my mother" the man cries to her, ...... wooden peg ......, he ...... food, cross beam (?), crumbs ......." "Did you see the woman who never gave birth? How does she fare?" "Like a ...... pot, she is thrown away violently, she ...... nobody." "Did you see the young man who never undressed his wife? How does he fare?" "You finish a reed mat and he weeps over the reed mat." "Did you see the young woman who never undressed her husband? How does she fare?" "You finish a ...... garment and she weeps over the ...... garment."

"Did you see him who ...... extolled himself? How does he fare?" "He bows down (?) like an ox as the worms eat at him." "Did you see him who fell down from the roof? How does he fare?" "His bones ...... and his spirit ......." "Did you see ......? How does he fare?" "He ......." "Did you see the leprous man? How does he fare?" "His water is set apart, his food is set apart. He ...... the spirits. He lives outside the city." "Did you see my stillborn children who never received a name? How do they fare?" "They play at a table of gold and silver ......." "Didn't you see him who was set on fire?" "Why, my friend, did not you spare this question?" "I asked it, my friend!" "His spirit is ...... from the nether world, it went up to the sky with the smoke (?)."

His heart was smitten, his insides were ravaged. The king began to search for life. Now the lord once decided to set off for the mountain where the man lives.

The death of Gilgamesh

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

ETCSL Home Page

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A version from Nibru

SEGMENT A

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...... hero ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He of well-proportioned limbs ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He who ...... wickedness has lain down and is never to rise again. The young man ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. He who was perfect in ...... and feats of strength has lain down and is never to rise again. ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. The lord of Kulaba has lain down and is never to rise again. He who spoke most wisely has lain down and is never to rise again. The plunderer (?) of many countries has lain down and is never to rise again. He who climbed the mountains has lain down and is never to rise again. He has lain down on his death-bed and is never to rise again. He has lain down on a couch of sighs and is never to rise again.

Unable to stand up, unable to sit down, he laments. Unable to eat, unable to drink, he laments. Held fast by the door-bolt of Namtar, he is unable to rise. Like a fish ......, he ...... ill. Like a gazelle caught in a trap, he ...... couch. Namtar, with no hands or feet ......, Namtar .......

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...... great mountains ......

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SEGMENT B

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For six days, he ...... ill. ...... on his skin like resin. Lord Gilgamec ...... ill. ...... Unug and Kulaba. ...... the words spoken .......

Then lord Gilgamec ...... lay down (?) on the death-bed. The king ...... sleep. ...... his dream ....... ...... assembly .......

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SEGMENT C

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"...... you will be accounted a god. ...... render verdicts. ...... will be as weighty as ...... of Dumuzid."

...... Gilgamec .......

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...... lord of Kulaba, ...... hero of the pristine mountain, ...... handiwork of the gods,

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...... of Ninsumun, ...... Lugalbanda, ...... lord Nudimmud,

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SEGMENT D

"...... having travelled all the roads that there are, having fetched ...... from its ......, having killed ......, you set up ...... for future days ....... Having founded ......, you reached ....... Having brought down the old ...... forgotten forever and ......, he (?) carried out correctly ....... ...... the flood ...... the settlements of the Land."

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SEGMENT E

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Sisig (a god of dreams), the son of Utu, will provide light for him in the nether world, the place of darkness. When a funerary statue is made in honour of someone, whoever they may be, for future days, mighty youths and ...... will form (?) a semicircle at the door-jambs and perform wrestling and feats of strength before them (?). In the month Nenejar, at the festival of the ghosts, no light will be provided before them without him (i.e. Gilgamec)."

"Oh Gilgamec! Enlil, the Great Mountain, the father of gods, has made kingship your destiny, but not eternal life -- lord Gilgamec, this is how to interpret (?) ...... the dream. The ...... and ...... of life should not make you feel sad, should not make you despair, should not make you feel depressed. You must have been told that this is what the bane of being human involves. You must have been told that this is what the cutting of your umbilical cord involved. The darkest day of humans awaits you now. The solitary place of humans awaits you now. The unstoppable flood-wave awaits you now. The unavoidable battle awaits you now. The unequal struggle awaits you now. The skirmish from which there is no escape awaits you now. But you should not go to the underworld with heart knotted in anger. May ...... before Utu. ...... palm-fibre .......

"Go ahead ......

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SEGMENT F

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...... Enkidu, your young comrade.

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...... is lying alone. ...... is lying alone. ...... the king .......

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...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. ...... will come to you. "
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SEGMENT G

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...... Gilgamec ......

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...... they answered him. ...... he weeps. Why is ...... made ......? ...... Nintud has not given birth yet.

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"The birds of the sky ...... cannot escape. The fish of the deep water cannot see ....... Having spread his net, the young fisherman will catch you (?). Who has ever seen anyone who could ascend ...... from (?) the ...... of the nether world? No king has ever been destined a fate like yours. Who ...... anyone among mankind, whoever they may be, ...... like you? ...... the governorship of the nether world. You ...... your ghost ...... pass judgments ....... "

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SEGMENT H

Kulaba ....... As Unug rose ......, as Kulaba rose ....... Within the first month ......, it was not five or ten days before they ...... the Euphrates. ...... its shells. Then, as in the bed of the Euphrates, the earth cracked dry. ...... was built from stone. ...... was built from stone. ...... were hard diorite. ...... its latches were hard stone. ...... were cast in gold. ...... heavy blocks of stone. ...... heavy blocks of stone. ...... brought in ....... ...... for future days.

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...... should not find ....... ...... Gilgamec ...... has established in .......

His beloved .......

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SEGMENT I

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...... opened .......

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...... of lord Gilgamec ....... ...... scratched the nose for him, ...... pulled out their hair for him.

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Another version from Nibru

(probably the final section of another version)

His beloved wife, his beloved children, his beloved favourite and junior wife, his beloved musician, cup-bearer and ......, his beloved barber, his beloved ......, his beloved palace retainers and servants and his beloved objects were laid down in their places as if ...... in the purified (?) palace in the middle of Unug.

Gilgamec, the son of Ninsumun, set out their audience-gifts for Ereckigala. He set out their gifts for Namtar. He set out their surprises for Dimpikug. He set out their presents for Neti. He set out their presents for Ninjiczida and Dumuzid. He ...... the audience-gifts for Enki, Ninki, Enmul, Ninmul, Endulkuga, Nindulkuga, Enindacurima, Nindacurima, Enmu-utula, Enmencara, the maternal and paternal ancestors of Enlil; for Cul-pa-ed, the lord of the table, for Sumugan and Ninhursaja, for the Anuna gods of the Holy Mound, for the Great Princes of the Holy Mound, for the dead en priests, the dead lagar priests, the dead lumah priests, the dead nindijir priestesses, and the dead gudu, the linen-clad and ...... priests.

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He set out their presents for .......

...... lie down ...... Ninsumun ....... Gilgamec, the son of Ninsumun, ...... poured water .......
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...... scratched the nose for him. The people ...... of his city ...... will not ...... anymore. They spread out (?) their ...... in the dust.

Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec, who never ceases to ...... for the ...... of Enlil -- Gilgamec, the son of Ninsumun, ...... offshoot ......; no king who could match him has ever been born,

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Gilgamec, lord of Kulaba, it is sweet to praise you!

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A version from Me-Turan

SEGMENT A

The great wild bull has lain down and is never to rise again. Lord Gilgamec has lain down and is never to rise again. He who was unique in ...... has lain down and is never to rise again. The hero fitted out with a shoulder-belt has lain down and is never to rise again. He who was unique in strength has lain down and is never to rise again. He who diminished wickedness has lain down and is never to rise again. He who spoke most wisely has lain down and is never to rise again. The plunderer (?) of many countries has lain down and is never to rise again. He who knew how to climb the mountains has lain down and is never to rise again. The lord of Kulaba has lain down and is never to rise again. He has lain down on his death-bed and is never to rise again. He has lain down on a couch of sighs and is never to rise again.

Unable to stand up, unable to sit down, he laments. Unable to eat, unable to drink, he laments. Held fast by the door-bolt of Namtar, he is unable to rise. Like a ...... fish ...... in a cistern, he ...... ill. Like a captured gazelle buck, he ...... couch. Namtar with no hands or feet, who ...... one by night,

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SEGMENT B

(The sequence of Segments B, C, D, and E is uncertain)

Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec,

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SEGMENT C

(The sequence of Segments B, C, D, and E is uncertain)

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Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec,

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SEGMENT D

(The sequence of Segments B, C, D, and E is uncertain)

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SEGMENT E

(The sequence of Segments B, C, D, and E is uncertain)

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Gilgamec ......

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SEGMENT F

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Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec, lay down on his death-bed.

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After lord Gilgamec had arrived at the assembly, the pre-eminent place of the gods, they said to lord Gilgamec concerning him: "As regards your case: after having travelled all the roads that there are, having fetched cedar, the unique tree, from its mountains, having killed Huwawa in his forest, you set up many stelae for future days, for days to come. Having founded many temples of the gods, you reached Zi-ud-sura in his dwelling place (1 ms. has instead: place). Having brought down to the Land the divine powers of Sumer, which at that time were forgotten forever, the orders, and the rituals, he (?) carried out correctly the rites of hand washing and mouth washing .......

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Enlil's advice was given to Enki. Enki answered An and Enlil: "In those days, in those distant days, in those nights, in those distant nights, in those years, in those distant years, after the assembly had made the Flood sweep over to destroy the seed of mankind, among us I was the only one who was for life (?), and so he remained alive (?) -- Zi-ud-sura, although (?) a human being, remained alive (?). Then you made me swear by heaven and by earth, and ...... that no human will be allowed to live forever (?) any more. Now, as we look at Gilgamec, could not he escape because of his mother?"

(Another god speaks:) "Let Gilgamec as a ghost, below among the dead, be the governor of the nether world. Let him be pre-eminent among the ghosts, so that he will pass judgments and render verdicts, and what he says will be as weighty as the words of Ninjiczida and Dumuzid."

Then the young lord Gilgamec became depressed because of (?) all mankind. "You should not despair, you should not feel depressed.

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Mighty youths and ...... a semicircle .......

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"Go ahead to the place where the Anuna gods, the great gods, sit at the funerary offerings, to the place where the en priests lie, to where the lagar priests lie, to where the lumah priests and the nindijir priestesses lie, to where the gudu priests lie, to where the linen-clad priests lie, to where the nindijir priestesses lie, to where the ...... lie, to the place where your father, your grandfather, your mother, your sisters, your ......, to where your precious friend, your companion, your friend Enkidu, your young comrade, and the governors appointed by the king to the Great City are, to the place where the sergeants of the army lie, to where the captains of the troops lie,

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From the house of ......, the ...... will come to meet you. Your jewel will come to meet you, your precious one will come to meet you. The elders of your city will come to meet you. You should not despair, you should not feel depressed."

"He will now be counted among the Anuna gods. He will be counted a companion of the (1 ms. adds: great) gods. ...... the governor of the nether world. He will pass judgments and render verdicts, and what he says will be as weighty as the words of Ninjiczida and Dumuzid."

And then the young lord, lord Gilgamec, woke up ....... ...... his eyes, ....... ...... a dream ......! ...... a dream ......!

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"Am I to become again as I were ...... on the lap of my own mother Ninsumun? ...... who makes the great mountains tremble (?). Namtar with no hands or feet takes away ......."

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Lord Nudimmud made (?) him see a dream: After lord Gilgamec had arrived at the assembly, the pre-eminent place of the gods, they said to lord Gilgamec concerning him: "As regards your case: after having travelled all the roads that there are, having fetched cedar, the unique tree, from its mountains, having killed Huwawa in his forest, you set up many stelae for future days ....... Having founded many temples of the gods,

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Having brought down to the Land the divine powers of Sumer, which at that time were forgotten forever, the orders, and the rituals, he (?) carried out correctly the rites of hand washing and mouth washing. ...... the settlements of the countries."

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...... Gilgamec ....... Enlil's advice was given to Enki. Enki answered An and Enlil: "In those days, in those distant days, in those nights, in those distant nights, in those years, in those distant years, after the assembly had made the Flood sweep over to destroy the seed of mankind ......, among us I was the only one who was for life (?). He remained alive (?); Zi-ud-sura alone, although (?) a human being, remained alive (?). Then you made me swear by heaven and by earth, and I swore that no human will be allowed to live forever (?) any more. Now, as we look at Gilgamec, could not he escape because of his mother?"

(Another god speaks:) "Let Gilgamec as a ghost, below among the dead, be the governor of the nether world. Let him be pre-eminent among the ghosts, so that he will pass judgments and render verdicts, and what he says will be as weighty as the words of Ninjiczida and Dumuzid."

Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec, became depressed because of (?) all mankind. "You should not despair, you should not feel depressed.

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Mighty youths and ...... a semicircle ....... Without him (i.e. Gilgamec)....... Sisig (a god of dreams), the son of Utu, will provide light for him in the place of darkness.

"You must have been told (?) that this is what your being (?) a human involves. You must have been told (?) that this is what the cutting of your umbilical cord involved. The darkest day of humans awaits you now. The solitary place of humans awaits you now. The unstoppable flood-wave awaits you now. The unequal struggle awaits you now. The unavoidable battle awaits you now. The evil (?) from which there is no escape awaits you now. But you should not go to the underworld with heart knotted in anger. May it be ...... before Utu. Let it be unravelled like palm-fibre and peeled (?) like garlic.

"Go ahead to the place where the Anuna gods, the great gods, sit at the funerary offerings, to the place where the en priests lie, to where the lagar priests lie, to where the lumah priests and the nindijir priestesses lie, to where the gudu priests lie, to where the linen-clad priests lie, to where the nindijir priestesses lie, to where the ...... lie, to the place where your father, your grandfather, your mother, your sisters, your ......, to where your precious friend, your companion, your friend Enkidu, your young comrade, and the governors appointed by the king to the Great City are, to the place where the sergeants of the army lie, to where the captains of the troops lie. ...... the Great City Arali ......

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"From the house of the sisters, the sisters will come to meet you. From the house of ......, ...... will come to meet you. Your jewel will come to meet you, your precious one will come to met you. The elders of your city will come to meet you. You should not despair, you should not feel depressed."

"He ...... the Anuna gods. He will be counted a companion of the great gods.

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SEGMENT G

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SEGMENT H

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His architect (?) designed his tomb like ....... His god Enki showed him where the solution of the dream lies by ....... No one but the ...... of the king could solve the vision.

The lord imposed a levy on his city. The herald made the horn signal sound in all the lands: " Unug, arise! Open up the Euphrates! Kulaba, arise! Divert the waters of the Euphrates!" Unug's levy was a flood, Kulaba's levy was a clouded sky. Meanwhile not even the first month had passed (1 ms. has instead: ......), it was not five or ten days before they had opened up the Euphrates and diverted its high water. Utu looked at its shells with admiration. Then as soon as the water in the bed of the Euphrates had receded, his tomb was built there from stone. Its walls were built from stone. Its door leaves were installed in the sockets (?) of the entrance. Its bolt and thresholds were hard stone. Its door-pivots were hard stone. They installed its gold beams. Heavy block of stone were moved to ....... ...... was covered with a thick layer of (1 ms. has instead: was covered (?) with) dark soil. ...... for future days.

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...... who are searching for it should not find its precinct (?). He set up a solid house in the middle of Unug.

His beloved wife, his beloved children, his beloved favourite and junior wife,

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SEGMENT I

...... Gilgamec ......

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...... entered, ...... its entrance. ...... opened up the Euphrates, ...... its water.

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Then the young lord, lord Gilgamec,

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SEGMENT J

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...... Gilgamec ......

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SEGMENT K

...... to the city ....... ...... smeared with dust .......

...... lord Gilgamec despaired and felt depressed. For all the people, whoever they may be, funerary statues are made for future days, and set aside in the temples of the gods. Their names, once uttered, do not sink into oblivion. Aruru, the older sister of Enlil, provides them with offspring for that purpose (?). Their statues are made for future days and they are mentioned in the Land. Ereckigala, mother of Ninazu, it is sweet to praise you!

Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

ETCSL Home Page

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A version of unknown provenance, supplemented from Nippur mss.

Segment A

I will sing the song of the man of battle, the man of battle. I will sing the song of lord Gilgamec, the man of battle, I will sing the song of him with the well-proportioned limbs, the man of battle. I will sing the song of the mighty ...... lord, the man of battle.

I will sing the song of the lord with the very black beard, the man of battle. I will sing the song of ...... athletic strength, the man of battle. ...... the king, the man ......; my king ......, my lord ...... garden ....... ...... courtyard, ...... jipar; (1 ms. has instead: ...... his mother who bore him spoke to the lord: "My king ...... in the river, my lord ...... your garden."

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Segment B

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In the great courtyard, without there being any combat, a man ....... She perceived the canopy, the canopy ......, holy Inana perceived the canopy, from the palace of the abzu, she perceived the canopy ......:

"My wild bull, my ...... man, I shall not let you go! Lord Gilgamec, my wild bull, my ...... man, I shall not let you go! I shall not let you go to dispense justice in the E-ana! I shall not let you go to pronounce verdicts in my holy jipar! I shall not let you go to dispense justice in the E-ana beloved by An! Gilgamec, may you be ......, may you be ......!"

( Gilgamec speaks:) "I shall certainly not try to take over the portion of Inana in your jipar. Ninegal will not ...... because of my valorous strength. But Inana, lady, don't you block my way, either! My wish is to catch (?) mountain bulls, to fill the cow-pens. I wish to catch (?) mountain sheep, to fill the sheepfolds. I wish to ...... silver and cornelian."

The queen spoke with a snort; Inana spoke with a snort: "...... say to you. ...... say to you. ......, Gilgamec."

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( An speaks:) "Its entrails (?)....... Its hide ....... Its blood ......."

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" Inana, it will muddy the waters; it will ...... cowpats. My one beloved by An, ......."

He let her hold the leash. An ....... "My child, who does it belong to?" (1 ms. has instead: "My child, what use would it be?") "It will stir up the waters, it will leave ...... cowpats ......! If the great bull is let loose, ...... Unug! If the great bull is let loose against Gilgamec, ...... Unug! I will not give her that which bears my own name."

( Inana speaks:) "Maybe it will muddy the waters, and will leave gigantic cowpats -- but let my father give me the Bull of Heaven, so I can kill the lord, so I can kill the lord, so I can kill the lord, lord Gilgamec!"

Great An replied to holy Inana: "My child, the Bull of Heaven would not have any pasture, as its pasture is on the horizon. Maiden Inana, the Bull of Heaven can only graze where the sun rises. So I cannot give the Bull of Heaven to you!"

Holy Inana replied to him: "I shall shout, and make my voice reach heaven and earth!"

He was frightened, he was frightened. (1 ms. adds here: ...... was frightened of Inana.) Great An replied to holy Inana: "I shall give her the Bull of Heaven." (instead of approx. lines 52-54, 1 ms. has: She made her voice reach heaven ......, she made her voice reach earth; she made her voice reach heaven ......, she made her voice reach earth. It covered them like a woollen garment, it was spread over them like a linen garment. ...... who could speak to her? ...... who could speak to her? ...... gave .......)

In masculine fashion, the maiden Inana grasped it by the lapis-lazuli tether. Holy Inana brought the Bull of Heaven out (1 ms. has instead: down). At Unug, the Bull devoured the pasture, and drank the water of the river in great slurps. With each slurp it used up one mile of the river, but its thirst was not satisfied. It devoured the pasture and stripped the land bare. It broke up the palm trees of Unug, as it bent them to fit them into its mouth. When it was standing, the Bull submerged Unug. The very presence (1 ms. has instead: the name) of the Bull of Heaven submerged Kulaba.

His musician ....... As he looked up ......, leaning (?) ......

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(1 ms. has instead: Then lord Gilgamec ...... his musician.) (a second ms. has instead: Gilgamec ...... his musician Lugal-gabajal. "My musician, tune your strings, ...... give me a drink, ....... ...... bronze ...... in your hand ....... His musician .......") (a third ms. has instead: ...... replied to Lugal-gabajal, " Lugal-gabajal, tune your strings; I wish to have a drink!" ( Lugal-gabajal answers:) "...... drink, that is why nothing of yours is important." ...... replied to Lugal-gabajal.) (instead of approx. lines 64-67, a fourth ms. has:

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...... drink, lord ....... ...... drink, lord .......

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...... Unug .......)

Lord Gilgamec ....... Inana ...... the Bull of Heaven. At Unug, the Bull ......, and drank the water of the river in great slurps. With each slurp it used up one mile of the river, but its thirst was not satisfied. It devoured the pasture and stripped the land bare. (1 ms. adds here: His lady ....... Gilgamec ...... said, "My mother ......, my sister ......, will ...... the cattle to their tethering stakes, will ...... the sheep to their tethering stakes, will ...... to their tethering stakes." Gilgamec ......, "Bull of Heaven, you, yes you, ......; you, yes you -- you do not ......." Gilgamec .......)

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"They will throw your corpse in the deserted streets, and throw your intestines in the broad square. They will send your carcass to the knacker's, and I shall share out your meat in baskets to the widows' sons who are citizens of my city ....... I shall make flasks of your two horns for pouring fine oil to Inana in E-ana."

Inana watched from the top of the ramparts. The Bull bellowed in the dust, and Gilgamec walked (?) at its head as Enkidu climbed up the rope of its ....... Their fellow-citizens came along ....... It covered them with dust, like a young calf unused to the yoke. Enkidu stood behind the Bull and went round ....... (1 ms. has instead: He put ...... and seized its tail.) He spoke to his master Gilgamec:

"Ho! magnificent one, extending your staff of office, born of noble lineage, splendour of the gods, furious bull standing ready for battle, who is respected as the great lord Gilgamec of Unug! Your mother was truly skilled in bearing children, and your nurse was truly skilled in suckling her charges! (1 ms. adds: Lord born of noble lineage, ......) Do not fear -- the warrior without strength ...... himself (?). There where the road is straight ....... ...... axe ....... "

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A version from Me-Turan

Segment A

I will sing the song of the man of battle, the man of battle. I will sing the song of lord Gilgamec, the man of battle, I will sing the song of the lord with the very black beard, the man of battle. I will sing the song of him with the well-proportioned limbs, the man of battle. I will sing the song of him in his prime (?), the man of battle. I will sing the song of him who batters the wicked, the man of battle. The king, the lord, having ...... as his mother who bore him ......, wishing to wash (?) in the river.

My lord, entering the garden planted with junipers, as you set to work; the lord, coming from the jipar, sheared the wool of the fleecy sheep ......; ...... he sat down ....... The king ...... bending ...... with the oar; the prince covered ...... with the oar, as if it was of flourishing reed. You covered their wicked ones, as if ......, with water. He gave ...... to his mother who bore him. In the wide courtyard ......, Gilgamec .......

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In the great courtyard .......

Then ...... the canopy ....... Holy Inana perceived the canopy, from the palace of the abzu, she perceived the canopy:

"My wild bull, my man, I shall not let you ......! Gilgamec, I shall not let you ......! I shall not let you dispense justice in my E-ana! I shall not let you pronounce verdicts in my holy jipar! I shall not let you dispense justice in the E-ana beloved by An! Gilgamec, may you ......, may I ......."

The king ...... these words, the king ...... to his mother who bore him. Gilgamec ...... to Ninsun ......: "O mother who bore me, how ......! By the door of the great gate ...... From the crenellations of the wall ......: "My wild bull, my man, I shall not let you go ......! Gilgamec, I shall not let you go ......! You dispensed justice in my E-ana -- I shall not let you go! You pronounced verdicts in my holy jipar -- I shall not let you go, in his beloved ...... E-ana!"

When he had spoken thus to the mother who bore him, the mother who bore him replied to Gilgamec:

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Segment B

Holy Inana ....... An ....... ...... the bond of heaven. An ...... to holy Inana: "My child, ......." Inana replied .......:

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Segment C

It is uncertain if this segment belongs here

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Segment D

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"My musician, Lugal-gabajar, perform your song, tune your strings! Give me beer to drink! Fill my bronze jug again! ......" Lugal-gabajar replied to his master, Gilgamec: "My master, you may eat, and you may drink -- but as for me, how does this matter concern me?"

To defeat the Bull, ......, Gilgamec, to defeat the Bull, ....... ...... his harness of fifty (text: five-sixths) minas. ...... his sword weighing seven talents and thirty minas. ...... his battle axe. "My mother who bore me ......."

His sister ....... His mother who bore him ...... Pectur, his little sister ....... Gilgamec ...... "My mother who bore me, in the house (?) of Enki (?) ....... Pectur, the little sister, ......, will bring back the cattle to their tethering stakes ......, will bring back the sheep to their tethering stakes ......."

"Bull of Heaven, you -- you, ......, yes, you! You crush them ......, and I crush them ....... If you crush them, ...... They shall consign your hide to the streets ....... They shall consign your intestines to the broad square ....... The widows' sons of my city shall each take their share of your meat in baskets. They shall consign your carcass to the knacker's, and I shall turn your two horns into flasks for pouring fine oil to Inana in E-ana."

The Bull ...... in the dust. Gilgamec ...... and Enkidu ....... Their fellow-citizens ....... ...... with dust, like a young calf unused to the yoke. Enkidu stood by (?) the Bull's head and spoke to Gilgamec:

"Ho! magnificent one, extending your staff of office, born of noble lineage, splendour of the gods, furious-hearted bull, standing ready for battle, warrior, ...... your hand ....... The people ......, the people ......."

When Enkidu had spoken thus to Gilgamec, Gilgamec himself smote its skull with his axe weighing seven talents. The Bull reared up so high, so high that it overbalanced. It spattered like rain, it spread itself out like the harvested crop.

The king took his knife in his hand, just as if he were a master chef. He hit Inana with a haunch, he made her flee away like a pigeon, and demolished those ramparts. Standing by (?) the Bull's head, the king wept bitter tears: "Just as I can destroy you, so shall I do the same to her (?)."

As he spoke, he consigned its hide to the streets, he consigned its intestines to the broad square, and the widows' sons of his city each took their share of its meat in baskets. He consigned its carcass to the knacker's, and turned its two horns into flasks for pouring fine oil to Inana in E-ana.
For the death of the Bull of Heaven: holy Inana, it is sweet to praise you!

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Fragment of an earlier version from Nippur, dating to the Third Dynasty of Ur

Segment A

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Seed of the jipar (= Gilgamec?) ......; he sat on the ......; that which was in the marsh, my king, to bend that which was in the marsh with the oar, the lord covered it with water with the oar, as if they were flourishing reeds. That which exceeded, as if it was a reed (?) ......, he covered with water. In the wide courtyard ...... of the temple of Inana Gilgamec .......

My king, entering the garden of junipers, as you set to work, the seed of the jipar ...... the sheep of the queen (?) ...... sheared (?) the wool; he sat on the ....... He leant (?) over the marsh; my king leant (?) over the marsh; he bent it with the oar.

The lord covered it with water as if they were flourishing reeds; that which exceeded, as if it was a reed (?) ......, he covered it with water.

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Segment B

I (?) shall not try to take over the portion of Inana in the jipar; ...... shall not cover my valiant arm with a garment (?)!