Sumerian - Myth of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Nether World
In the ancient Sumerian tapestry of myth and legend, one tale stands out for its profound exploration of heroism, friendship, and the human confrontation with mortality: the story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. This narrative, woven from the threads of Sumerian cosmology, delves into the realms of both the living and the dead, showcasing the interplay between gods, heroes, and the enigmatic underworld.
The Huluppu-Tree and Inanna's Dilemma
Our story begins with Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love, beauty, war, and justice, who nurtures a huluppu-tree by the banks of the Euphrates. This tree, however, becomes a haven for malevolent creatures:
- At its base, a snake "who knows no charm" builds its nest, symbolizing danger and the untamable aspects of nature.
- In its crown, the Zu-bird, a creature known for causing mischief, places its young, representing the chaos of the skies.
- In the middle, Lilith, known as the maid of desolation, makes her home, embodying the spirit of wildness and solitude.
These inhabitants prevent Inanna from fulfilling her plan to use the wood of the tree to make a chair and couch for herself, leading to her despair.
Gilgamesh's Heroic Intervention
Hearing Inanna's lament, Gilgamesh, the mighty king of Uruk and a figure akin to the Greek Heracles, steps in. Armed with his immense strength and weaponry, including an ax weighing over four hundred pounds, Gilgamesh confronts these threats:
- He slays the snake at the tree's base, symbolizing his triumph over earthly perils.
- The Zu-bird, seeing the fate of the snake, flees with its young to the mountains, and Lilith abandons her abode in the tree, fleeing to her desolate haunts.
With the tree now free from these pests, Inanna can proceed with her intentions. From the wood of the huluppu-tree, she crafts a pukku (likely a drum) and a mikku (possibly a drumstick), which she bestows upon Gilgamesh as tokens of gratitude.
The Descent into the Nether World
The narrative takes a dark turn when, through an unfortunate accident, the pukku and mikku fall into the nether world. Gilgamesh, unable to retrieve them himself, sends his loyal companion and friend, Enkidu, on this perilous quest. Gilgamesh warns Enkidu of the underworld's taboos:
- Not to wear clean clothes or use fragrant oils, lest the shades of the dead become hostile.
- Not to engage in actions like throwing a stick or carrying a staff, which could provoke the spirits.
- Not to show affection or aggression towards loved ones or enemies, to avoid being claimed by the underworld.
Enkidu, however, does not heed these warnings. His disregard for these rules leads to his capture by the nether world, unable to return to the land of the living.
Gilgamesh's Plea and the Return of Enkidu's Shade
In desperation, Gilgamesh seeks aid from the gods. First, he appeals to Enlil, the chief deity of the Sumerian pantheon, but to no avail. He then turns to Enki, the god of wisdom and water, who proves more sympathetic. Enki commands Utu, the sun-god, to open a hole in the nether world, allowing Enkidu's shade to ascend temporarily back to earth.
The reunion is bittersweet as Gilgamesh questions Enkidu about the afterlife, seeking to understand the fate of humanity beyond death:
- Their dialogue, though fragmented in the surviving texts, touches on the treatment of the dead based on how many sons they left behind, hinting at a Sumerian belief in the afterlife where one's legacy on earth could influence one's condition in the underworld.
This myth encapsulates the Sumerian grappling with mortality, the power of friendship, and the limits of human endeavor against the divine and the natural world. Through Gilgamesh's journey, we see a reflection of humanity's eternal quest for meaning, understanding, and perhaps, a way to transcend our mortal bounds.