This tablet may have been added to the other eleven tablets. However, it adds insight and provide background to the magical power of music in the Bible. Descent to the Underworld The Afterlife “If only I’d have protected our instruments in thesafe home of the drum-maker;If only I’d have given so precious a harp to […]
He who has seen everything, I will make known (?) to the lands.I will teach (?) about him who experienced all things,… alike,Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all.He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden,he brought information of (the time) before the Flood.He went on a distant journey, pushing himself to exhaustion,but then […]
Enkidu sits in front of her. [The next 30 lines are missing; some of the fragmentary lines from 35 on are restoredfrom parallels in the Old Babylonian.] “Why …”(?)His own counsel …At his instruction …Who knows his heart…Shamhat pulled off her clothing,and clothed him with one piecewhile she clothed herself with a second.She took hold […]
The Elders spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:“Gilgamesh, do not put your trust in (just) your vast strength,but keep a sharp eye out, make each blow strike in mark!‘The one who goes on ahead saves the comrade.”‘The one who knows the route protects his friend.’Let Enkidu go ahead of you;he knows the road to the Cedar Forest,he […]
… They stood at the forest’s edge,gazing at the top of the Cedar Tree,gazing at the entrance to the forest.Where Humbaba would walk there was a trail,the roads led straight on, the path was excellent.Then they saw the Cedar Mountain, the Dwelling of the Gods, thethrone dais of Imini.Across the face of the mountain the […]
… They stood at the forest’s edge,gazing at the top of the Cedar Tree,gazing at the entrance to the forest.Where Humbaba would walk there was a trail,the roads led straight on, the path was excellent.Then they saw the Cedar Mountain, the Dwelling of the Gods, thethrone dais of Imini.Across the face of the mountain the […]
He washed out his marred hair and cleaned up his equipment(?),shaking out his locks down over his back,throwing off his dirty clothes and putting on clean ones.He wrapped himself in regal garments and fastened the sash.When Gilgamesh placed his crown on his head,a princess Ishtar raised her eyes to the beauty of Gilgamesh.“Come along, Gilgamesh, […]
“My friend, why are the Great Gods in conference?(In my dream) Anu, Enlil, and Shamash held a council,and Anu spoke to Enlil:‘Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slainHumbaba,the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountainmust die!’Enlil said:’Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!’Bur the Sun God […]
Just as day began to dawnGilgamesh addressed his friend, saying:“Enkidu, your mother, the gazelle,and your father, the wild donkey, engendered you,four wild asses raised you on their milk,and the herds taught you all the grazing lands.May the Roads of Enkidu to the Cedar Forestmourn youand not fall silent night or day.May the Elders of the […]
Over his friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh cried bitterly, roaming the wilderness.“I am going to die!–am I not like Enkidu?!Deep sadness penetrates my core,I fear death, and now roam the wilderness–I will set out to the region of Utanapishtim, son of Ubartutu,and will go with utmost dispatch!When I arrived at mountain passes at nightfall,’I saw lions, and […]