Epic of Gilgamesh

Essential Quotes

“Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance, / he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull. / He walks out in front, the leader, / and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions. / Mighty net, protector of his people, / raging flood-wave who destroys even walls of stone! / Offspring of Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh is strong to perfection.”

“Then he, Enkidu, offspring of the mountains, / who eats grasses with the gazelles, / came to drink at the watering hole with the animals, / with the wild beasts he slaked his thirst with water.”

“All day long the South Wind blew …, / blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water, / overwhelming the people like an attack. / No one could see his fellow, / they could not recognize each other in the torrent. / The gods were frightened by the Flood, / and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu.”

“Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay(!) by which a man can attain his survival(!). / I will bring it to Uruk-Haven, / and have an old man eat the plant to test it. / The plant’s name is ‘The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.’ / Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth.”