THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

PROLOGUE

GILGAMESH KING IN URUK 

 

I WILL proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh. This was the man to whom all things were known; this 

was the king who knew the countries of the world. He was wise, he saw mysteries and knew secret things, he 

brought us a tale of the days before the flood. He went on a long journey, was weary, worn-out with labour, 

returning he rested, he engraved on a stone the whole story. 

When the gods created Gilgamesh they gave him a perfect body. Shamash the glorious sun endowed him with 

beauty, Adad the god of the storm endowed him with courage, the great gods made his beauty perfect, surpassing all 

others, terrifying like a great wild bull. Two thirds they made him god and one third man. 

In Uruk he built walls, a great rampart, and the temple of blessed Eanna for the god of the firmament Anu, and 

for Ishtar the goddess of love. Look at it still today: the outer wall where the cornice runs, it shines with the 

brilliance of copper; and the inner wall, it has no equal. Touch the threshold, it is ancient. Approach Eanna the 

dwelling of Ishtar, our lady of love and war, the like of which no latter-day king, no man alive can equal. Climb 

upon the wall of Uruk; walk along it, I say; regard the foundation terrace and examine the. masonry: is it not burnt 

brick and good? The seven sages laid the foundations.