The Story of Gilgamesh the Hero

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

The story of Gilgamesh is the oldest story in the world. Gilgamesh was the world's first super-hero. The Sumerians

first wrote down stories about Gilgamesh in the third millennium B.C., but we have only fragments of these stories. The most complete story of Gilgamesh that we

know of is a Babylonian version called, He Who Saw the Deep. He Who Saw the Deep is considered to be the

standard story of Gilgamesh, and is what we call today, The Epic of Gilgamesh.

GILGAMESH THE LEGEND

The story takes place in Sumer, in the city-state of Uruk. The protagonist is Gilgamesh, the first king to rule Uruk after the Great Flood. Gilgamesh was a demi-god, two-

thirds immortal, and one-third mortal. His mother was the goddess, Ninsun, and his father was the king, Lugalbanda.

Gilgamesh was a powerful man, and none could equal his athletic talents. He was handsome, and looked like a god.

However, he was not a wise king. He was young and brash. He treated his people harshly, and they prayed to the gods

for help.

THE EPIC