Tablet I

1 [He who saw the Deep, the] foundation of the country,
2 [who knew all ways], was wise in everything!
3 [Gilgameš, who] saw the Deep, the foundation of the country,
4 [who] knew [all ways], was wise in everything!
5 [He explored] everywhere the seats [of power,]
6 he [knew] the totality of wisdom about everything.
7 He saw the secret and uncovered the hidden,
8 he brought back a message from the antediluvian age.
9 He came a distant road and was weary but granted rest,
10 all (his) labours [were] set down on a tablet of stone.
11 He built the wall of Uruk-the-Sheepfold,
12 of holy Eanna, the pure storehouse.
13 See its wall which is like a strand of wool,
14 view its parapet which nobody can replicate!
15 Take the stairway that has been there since ancient times,
16 and draw near to Eanna, the seat of Ištar,
17 that no later king can ever replicate.
18 Go up on to the wall of Uruk and walk around,
19 survey the foundation platform, inspect the brickwork!
20 (See) if its brickwork is not kiln-fired brick,
21 and if the Seven Sages did not lay its foundations!
22 [One šār is] city, one šār date-grove, one šār is clay-pit, half a šār the temple of Ištar:
23 [three šār] and a half, Uruk, (its) measurement.
24 [Open] the tablet-box of cedar,
25 [release] its clasps of bronze!
26 [Open] the lid of its secret,
27 [lift] up the tablet of lapis lazuli and read out
28 all the misfortunes, all that Gilgameš went through!
29 Surpassing all (other) kings, hero endowed with a superb physique,
30 brave native of Uruk, butting wild bull!
31 Going at the fore he was the leader,
32 going also at the rear, the trust of his brothers!
33 A mighty bank, the protection of his troops,
34 a violent flood-wave that smashes a stone wall!
35 Wild bull of Lugalbanda, Gilgameš, perfect of strength,
36 suckling of the exalted cow, Wild-Cow Ninsun!
37 Gilgameš so tall, perfect and fearsome,
38 who opened passes in the mountains;
39 who dug wells on the hill-flanks,
40 and crossed the ocean, the wide sea, as far as the sunrise;
41 who scoured the world-regions ever searching for life,
42 and reached by his strength Ūta-napišti the Far-Away;
43 who restored the cult-centres that the Deluge destroyed,
44 and established the proper rites for the human race!
45 Who is there that can be compared with him in kingly status,
46 and can say like Gilgameš, ‘It is I am the king’?
47 Gilgameš was his name from the day he was born,
48 two-thirds of him god but a third of him human.
49 Bēlet-ilī drew the shape of his body,
50 Nudimmud brought his form to perfection.
51 [Powerful of] body, majestic of [beauty,]
52 [he was large of] stature, eleven cubits [tall.]
53 [Four] cubits was the width of his chest,
54 A triple cubit was his foot, half a rod his leg.
55 Six cubits was [his] stride,
56 [three] cubits the curls at his [cheeks.]
57 His cheeks were bearded, (dark as [gleaming]) lapis lazuli,
58 the locks of his hair growing [thickly as Nissaba’s.]
59 [As] he grew up he was perfect in [his] beauty,
60 by human standards [he was] very handsome.
61 He goes [about] in the sheepfold of Uruk,
62 lording it like a wild bull, [head] held high.
63 He has not any equal, [his] weapons being ready,
64 [his] companions are kept on their feet by the ball.
65 The young men of Uruk are wrongfully vexed,
66 Gilgameš lets no son go free to [his] father.
67 Day and night he behaves with fierce arrogance,
68 [King] Gilgameš, [who guides the numerous people,]
69 he who is shepherd of Uruk-the-Sheepfold!
70 [Gilgameš] lets no [daughter go free to her] mother,
71 [He is their herdsman,] they are [the] cows;
72 [their] complaint […]
73 ‘[Powerful, pre-eminent], expert, [and mighty,]
74 [Gilgamesh] lets [no] girl go free to [her bride groom.]’
75 The warrior’s daughter, the [young man’s bride,]
76 the goddess Ishtar was listening to their complaint.
77 The gods of heaven, lords of initiative,
78 [called out to the god Anu] …:
79 ‘Have you bred, indeed, a savage wild bull in Uruk-the-Sheepfold?
80 He has not any equal, his weapons being ready,
81 his companions are kept on their feet by the ball.
82 He has wrongfully vexed [the young men of Uruk,]
83 Gilgameš lets no son go free to his father.
84 Day and [night he behaves] with fierce [arrogance,]
85 he who is shepherd of Uruk-the-Sheepfold!
86 Gilgameš, [the herdsman of the] numerous [people,]
87 he is their herdsman and they are … […],
88 powerful, pre-eminent, expert, [and mighty,]
89 Gilgameš lets no girl go free to [her] bride-[groom.]’
90 The warrior’s daughter, the young [man’s] bride,
91 [Anu] was listening to their complaint.
92 They summoned Aruru, the great one:
93 ‘You, O Aruru, created [man:]
94 now create what he suggests!
95 Let him be equal to the storm of his heart,
96 let them rival each other and so let Uruk be rested.’
97 When Aruru heard this,
98 she fashioned Anu’s idea in her heart.
99 Aruru washed her hands,⁠a
100 she took a pinch of clay, she threw it down in the wild.
101 In the wild she created Enkidu, the hero,
102 an offspring of silence, knit strong by Ninurta.
103 All his body is matted with hair,⁠b
104 he is adorned with tresses like a woman:
105 the locks of his hair grow as thickly as Nissaba’s,
106 he does not know at all a people nor even a country.
107 He was clad in a garment like Šakkan’s,
108 feeding on grass with the very gazelles.
109 Jostling at the water-hole with the herd,
110 he enjoyed the water with the animals.
111 A hunter, a trapper-man,
112 came face to face with him by the water-hole.
113 One day, a second and a third, he came face to face with him by the water-hole.
114 The hunter saw him and his expression froze,
115 [he] and his herds – he went back to his lair.
116 [He was] troubled, he grew still, he grew silent,
117 his mood [was unhappy], his face clouded over.
118 There [was] sorrow in his heart,
119 his face was like [one who has travelled] distant [roads.]
120 The hunter opened [his mouth] to speak, saying [to his father:]
121 ‘My father, [there is a] certain fellow who has come [to us,]
122 Mightiest in the [land, he possesses] strength,
123 [his strength] is as mighty [as a lump of rock] from the sky.
124 [He wanders always] over the hills,
125 [always] with the herd [do I see him.]
126 [Always] his feet [are found] by the water-hole,
127 [I am afraid and so] I do not go up to him.
128 [He has filled in the] pits that I dug,
129 [he has uprooted] my snares that I laid.
130 [He has set free from my grasp] the herd, the animals of the wild,
131 [he will not let] me do the work of the wild.’
132 [His father opened his mouth to speak], saying to the hunter:
133 [Go, my son, to] Gilgamesh, [the offshoot sprung from] Uruk’s [midst!]
134 [Make your way] into his presence,
135 his strength [is as mig]hty [as a lump of rock from the sky.]
136 [Take the road, set] your face [toward Uruk,]
137 […] the strength of a man!
138 [Go, my son], bring [with you Šamhat the prostitute,]
139 [her allure is a match] for even the mighty!
140 [When the herd comes] down [to] the water-hole,
141 [she should strip off] her [clothing to reveal] her charms.
142 [He will see] her and will go up [to] her,
143 his herd will be estranged from him, [though he grew up] in its presence.
144 [Paying heed] to the advice of his father,
145 the hunter went off, [set out on the journey.]
146 He took the road, he [set his face] toward Uruk,
147 [to] the king, Gilgameš, he repeated his instructions:
148 ‘There is a certain fellow who [has come] to us,
149 mightiest in the land, he possesses [strength,]
150 [his strength is] as mighty as a lump of rock from the sky.
151 He wanders always over the hills,
152 Always with the herd do I see him.
153 Always his feet are found by the water-hole,
154 I am afraid and so I do not go up to him.
155 He has filled in the pits that I dug,
156 he has uprooted my snares [that I laid.]
157 He has released from my grasp the herds, the animals [of the] wild,
158 he will not let me do the work [of the] wild.’
159 Gilgameš said to him, to the hunter:
160 ‘Go, O hunter, take with you Šamḫat the prostitute.
161 When the herd comes down to the water-hole,
162 she should strip off her clothing to reveal her charms.
163 He will see her and will go up to her,
164 his herd will be estranged from him, though he grew up in its presence.’
165 Off went the hunter, he took with him Šamḫat the prostitute,
166 they set out on the road, they started the journey.
167 On the third day they arrived at the destination;
168 the hunter and the prostitute sat down to wait.
169 One day, a second day, they sat by the water-hole,
170 (then) the herd arrived to drink at the water-hole.
171 The animals arrived, they enjoyed the water,
172 and also Enkidu himself, whose birth-place was the hills.
173 Feeding on grass with the very gazelles,
174 jostling at the water-hole with the herd,
175 he enjoyed the water with the animals.
176 (Then) Šamḫat saw him, the man-savage,
177 a murderous fellow from the midst of the wild.
178 ‘This is he, Šamḫat! Uncover your breasts;⁠c
179 bare your sex so he may take in your charms!
180 Do not show fear, take in his scent!
181 He will see you and he will come up to you.
182 Spread your clothing so he may lie on you,
183 treat the man to the work of a woman!
184 his herd will be estranged from him, though he grew up in its presence.
185 His ‘love’ will caress and embrace you,
186 Šamḫat let loose her skirts,
187 she bared her sex and he took in her charms.
188 She showed no fear, she took in his scent:
189 she spread her clothing and he lay upon her.
190 She treated the man to the work of a woman,
191 his ‘love’ caressed and embraced her.
192 For six days and seven nights Enkidu, erect, did couple with Šamḫat.
193 After he was sated with her delights,
194 he turned his face toward his herd.
195 The gazelles saw Enkidu and they started running,
196 the animals of the wild moved away from his person.
197 Enkidu had defiled his body so pure,
198 his legs stood still, though his herd was on the move.
199 Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before,
200 but he had reason, he [was] wide of understanding.⁠d
201 He came back and sat down at the feet of the prostitute,
202 watching the prostitute, (observing) her features.
203 Then his ears heard what the [prostitute] was speaking,
204 [as the prostitute] said to him, to Enkidu:
205 ‘You are handsome, Enkidu, you are just like a god,
206 why with the animals do you range through the wild?
207 Come, I will lead you to Uruk-the-Sheepfold,
208 to the sacred temple, the dwelling of Anu and Ištar!
[…] … into Uruk the sheepfold,
[to] holy [E-anna], the dwelling of Ištar.
209 where Gilgameš is perfect in strength,
210 and lords it over the menfolk like a wild bull!
211 She talked to him and what she said found favour,
212 his heart (now) wise was seeking a friend.
213 Enkidu said to her, to the prostitute:
214 ‘Come, Šamḫat, take me along
215 to the sacred temple, the holy dwelling of Anu and Ištar,
216 where Gilgameš is perfect in strength,
217 and lords it over the menfolk like a wild bull!
218 I will challenge him, for [my strength] is mighty,
219 [I will boast] about myself in Uruk, (saying) “I am the mightiest!”
220 [there] I shall change the way things are ordered,
221 [the one] born in the wild is mighty, he has strength.’
222 ‘Let [the people] see your face,
223 […that] exists I know indeed.
224 Go, Enkidu, to Uruk-the-Sheepfold,
225 where the young men are belted with waistbands.
226 Every day [in Uruk] a festival is held,
227 where the drums are repeatedly beaten,
228 and the prostitutes are beautiful of figure,
229 graced with charm, full of joy.
230 Even the aged they rouse from their beds!
231 O Enkidu, [who do not (yet)] know life –
232 I will show you Gilgameš, the man so merry,
233 look at him, regard his face!
234 He is handsome in manhood, he has dignified bearing,
235 his whole person is graced with charm.
236 He has a strength more mighty than you,
237 he is unsleeping by day and by night.
238 O Enkidu, get rid of your sinful intention,
239 as for Gilgameš Šamaš loves him.
240 Anu, Enlil and Ea broadened his wisdom:
241 even before you came from the uplands,
242 Gilgameš in Uruk was having dreams about you: –
243 Gilgameš arose to reveal a dream, saying to his mother:
244 “O mother, the dream that I saw in the course of this night –
245 the stars of the heavens appeared before me,
246 like a lump of rock from the sky one fell towards me.
247 I picked one up but it was too much for me,
248 I kept trying to roll it but I could not dislodge it.
249 The land of Uruk was standing around [it],
250 [the land was gathered] about it.
251 A crowd [was jostling] before [it],
252 [the menfolk were] thronging around it.
253 They were kissing its feet [like a little] baby’s;
254 [I loved it] like a wife and I caressed and embraced it.
255 [I picked it up and] set it down at [your] feet,
256 [and you, you] made it my equal.”
257 [The mother of Gilgameš] was clever, she was wise, she knew everything, she said to her son;
258 [Wild-Cow] Ninsun was clever, she was wise, she knew everything, she said to Gilgameš:
259 “The stars of heaven [appeared] before you,
260 [like a] lump of rock from the sky one fell toward you.
261 You picked it up but it was too much for you,
262 you kept trying to roll it but you could not dislodge it.
263 You picked it up and set it down at my feet,
264 and I, I made it your equal,
265 you loved it like a wife, caressing and embracing it.
266 A mighty companion will come to you, the saviour of (his) friend:
267 he is the mightiest in the land, he has strength,
268 his strength is as mighty as a lump of rock from the sky,
269 You will love him like a wife, caressing and embracing him,
270 he, being mighty, [will] often save you.
271 He saw a second dream,
272 he arose and entered before the goddess, his mother.
273 Gilgameš said to her, to his mother,
274 “[And a]gain, O mother, I have seen a second dream.
275 [In a street] of Uruk-Main-Street,
276 an axe was lying and people were gathered around it.
277 The land [of Uruk] was standing around it,
278 [the land was] gathered about it.
279 [A crowd] was jostling before it,
280 [the menfolk were] thronging around it.
281 I picked it up and set it down at your feet,
282 [I loved] it like a wife and I caressed and embraced it,
283 [and you], you made it my equal.”
284 The mother of Gilgameš was clever, she was wise, she knew everything, she said to her son;
285 Wild-Cow Ninsun was clever, she was wise, she knew everything, she said to Gilgameš:
286 “My son, the axe you saw is a man,
287 you will love him like a wife, and will caress and embrace him,
288 and I, I shall make him your equal.
289 A mighty companion will come to you, the saviour of (his) friend:
290 he is the mightiest in the land, he has strength,
291 his strength is as mighty as a lump of rock from the sky.”
292 Gilgameš said to her, to his mother,
293 “O mother, by Counsellor Enlil’s command may it befall me!
294 I will acquire a friend, a counsellor,
295 a friend, a counsellor, [I will] acquire!”
296 [(Thus) he has] seen his dreams.’
297 [After] Šamḫat told Enkidu the dreams of Gilgameš,
298 the two of [them were making] love together.