The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest written story in human history. This is my humble attempt at making a cinematic piece of it.
Get 3 recipes from my upcoming book Table of Gods ►► https://www.tableofgods.com/gilgamesh
The bread of Utnapishtim’s wife ►► https://www.tableofgods.com/wifebread
Credits
Thanks to Ashurbanipal for making copies of the epic in his library at Nineveh. And to the Babylonians and Medes, who burned the library in 612 BC, unaware that they baked the clay tablets and made them more durable.
Sources
The Standard Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh by Professor Simo Parpola.
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About Table of Gods
Inspired by the world’s oldest recipes, cities, and stories. Table of Gods is not only a cookbook. Table of Gods is a time machine. One that takes you back to the cradle of civilization.
#Mesopotamia
#mythology
#myths
#Gilgamesh
#Enkidu
#tableofgods
00:00 - 00:44 Intro
00:45 - 02:01 The gods create Enkidu
02:02 - 03:35 Gilgamesh finds a friend
03:36 - 09:02 Humbaba
09:03 - 09:39 The gods council
09:40 - 12:00 Inanna brings the Bull of Heaven
12:01 - 13:40 Enkidu’s death
13:41 - 20:15 Seeking eternal life
20:16 - 21:29 Enkidu’s spirit rises
21:30 - 22:53 Outro
The Epic of Gilgamesh First written in Sumerian 2100 BC Compiled by Sin-leqi-unninni in 1300 BC Who named the story "Sha nagba imuru" "He who saw the deep" Once upon a time a king called Gilgamesh lived
in the city of Uruk. His mother was a goddess, his father was a man, thus Gilgamesh had divine
powers but was not Immortal as the pure gods. But nonetheless Gilgamesh was stronger than any
of his citizens and used his power to oppress and humiliate them. One example was when Gilgamesh
routine
ly crashed weddings and stole the bride the first night. But people in Uruk grew tired
of their monarch and complained to the gods. The gods eventually listened and created
a man strong enough to challenge Gilgamesh. They named him Enkidu, a Mesopotamian
tarzan who lived and ate with the animals. But before Enkidu could go to Uruk and
challenge Gilgamesh he had to become a man. Enkidu eventually met a lady, Shamhat, who took him to the shepherds. The shepherds gave Enkidu bread and beer. "Ea
t
bread, Enkidu, the food of the gods. Drink beer, Enkidu, the drink of the gods", Shamhat said. Enkidu ate bread until he was full and drank seven jars of beer. His face was shining with happiness
and he started to sing. Enkidu washed his hairy body, anointed himself with oil, and was turned
into a human. And this is so interesting because the act of eating bread and drinking beer was
eventually what turned Enkidu into a human. I've been experimenting with brewing Mesopotamian
beer for the
last six months. In the next episode I will reveal the results and share some recipes
if you want to brew Mesopotamian beer yourself. So make sure to subscribe to my channel now so you
don't miss out on anything. Anyway when Enkidu had turned into a human he finally went to Uruk
to challenge Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was striding to the wedding to spend the first night with the
bride as usual. It was his right, or rather the right he had given himself as the undisputed
king of Uruk. The sand co
lored cobblestones almost vibrated beneath his steps. As the king
swiftly strolled along everyone moved out of the way. As they always did whenever Gilgamesh showed
himself, except that is for a wild man with horns, Enkidu. He was unknown to Gilgamesh and the other
inhabitants of Uruk. Enkidu blocked the king's path and did not move an inch. And Gilgamesh was
shocked. Nobody had ever blocked Gilgamesh's path. And he punished people for much less. Everyone
watching knew that this would escal
ate any second. Gilgamesh peered into Enkidus eyes and without asking for permission he plunged into him. Violent chaos broke out in the streets of Uruk. Doorsteps trembled,
walls shook. No one dared to intervene. Hundreds of soldiers watched as the heroes were
fighting. And the fighting went on and on, neither of them gave way. But eventually, in the heat of the
battle, and perhaps because of Enkidu's strength, Gilgamesh calmed down. He hugged the wild man
realizing he had just found his fi
rst friend. "Enkidu, in the forest lives the warlike Humbaba",
Gilgamesh said. "Let us travel there and defeat him". "My friend, I saw him when I walked with
my animals in the mountains. Humbaba's voice is a torrent. His speech is fire.
No one can defeat him", Enkidu answered. The king frowned and replied, "why my friend do you
speak like a coward? You were born and raised with the animals on the steppe. The lions attacked you, the
strongest men avoided you". Gilgamesh turned to the crowd ar
ound him, "listen to me, I will walk the long
way to Humbaba and fight a battle like no other. Give me your blessing before I go. When I return I
will arrange a feast where joy will be plentiful". Enkidu turned around too and appealed to the
city's elders. "Tell him not to go to the cedar forest!" he insisted. "The forest must not be seen by
human eyes". The elders stepped forward and spoke as one. "You are young Gilgamesh. You let your emotions
guide you. Do not put trust in your strength
alone". Gilgamesh ignored them. "My friend, come. Let
us go to Queen Ninsun", he said to Enkidu. "She will give us good advice". Ninsun was Gilgamesh's
mother and when she learned what her son was up to she got worried. Ninsun washed herself, changed
clothes, and climbed to the rooftop of her squared house made of clay bricks. There she offered food
to the sun god Shamash and asked him to help Gilgamesh on his journey. The act of making food
and drink offerings to the Mesopotamia gods was a
common practice. In fact it was the desire
to please the gods with food and drink that developed the Mesopotamian cuisine. Every god
in every Mesopotamian city was fed four times daily. And as you can imagine the food and drink
that was offered on the table of gods was the most delicious food and drink at the time. Which is
why I've decided to make a cookbook Table of Gods, inspired by the world's oldest recipes written on
clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia 4 000 years ago. If you'd like
to try three of the recipes
from my book go to tableofgods.com/gilgamesh Ninsun hung a chain of symbols around Enkido's neck and
said "Strong Enkidu, I did not give birth to you, but I take you as my son, and Gilgamesh
takes you as his brother". A defining moment for Enkidu who never had a father, mother, or
brother. Gilgamesh and Enkidu said goodbye to their mother and began their journey toward the
cedar forest where the monster Humbaba lived. After hiking up mountains and walking for
20
double hours they stopped to eat bread. Enkidu started complaining. "My friend, my arms
are numb". "My friend, why do you speak like a coward? Forget death! Together we will achieve
eternal fame". The friends continued their journey and didn't stop until they stood
at the entrance to the primeval forest. Humbaba's footprints had formed a wide path. The two friends
entered warily inhaling the fragrant scent of the cedar trees whose tall crowns obscured the
sunlight. Suddenly a voice came fr
om the forest. "Gilgamesh, you fool!". Gilgamesh and Enkidu drew their weapons. The
voice rang out again. "Enkidu, the fatherless son. When you were little I saw you, but I let you be. Now
you lead Gilgamesh here and stand as an enemy". Humbaba suddenly emerged. He looked Gilgamesh in the eyes
and said "Gilgamesh, I will slit your throat and let the eagles eat your flesh." Gilgamesh froze when he
saw Humbaba. "My friend, Humbaba has transformed". Enkidu cast him a glance. "My friend,
why do
you speak like a coward? When the smith pours the glowing ore, can the
glow wait? Now the moment of truth has come". Dark clouds circled over the cedar
forest. Death was about to rain upon them. And Gilgamesh realized there was no turning back.
He plunged toward Humbaba, toward death, and Enkidu followed him like the shaft of an arrow. Suddenly,
hurricane strong winds swept over the cedar forest. It was the sun god Shamash. He responded to
Ninsun's prayers. The winds immobilized with Humba
ba. "Enkidu!", Humbaba pleaded. "You know my forest, its ways, and all its secrets. Tell Gilgamesh to spare me!" Enkidu turned to Gilgamesh. "My friend, do not listen to
Humbaba's pleadings. Kill him! You will obtain eternal fame. You will obtain an eternal name." The
rain kept pouring down and the wind still held Humbaba fast. "Before the supreme Enlil hears, put an
end to Humbaba! Enkidu thundered. Gilgamesh swung his ax and forced it through Humbaba's neck and separated
Humbaba's head fro
m his body. Humbaba was dead. The gods held a council. They had created
Humbaba to protect the cedar forest and Humbaba's death was a tragedy. So the gods decided
that either Gilgamesh or Enkidu would have to die. The people of Uruk cheered and celebrated as
Gilgamesh and Enkidu returned with Humbaba's head. Gilgamesh walked the streets of Uruk
with a straight back. His long hair hung on his wide shoulders and his golden crown
shone. His beauty and courage spread all the way to heaven attra
cting the goddess of love,
Ishtar, also known by her Sumerian name Inanna. Ishtar descended from the sky and proposed to
Gilgamesh. But Gilgamesh was not interested. He arrogantly refused the proposal which made Ishtar,
who was also the goddess of war, furious. She became so upset she decided to kill Gilgamesh.
Ishtar left earth and when she returned to Uruk an earthquake followed. A chasm opened and 300 people
fell in. Ishtar had arrived with the bull of heaven, Gugulanna, who was looking
for Gilgamesh. Panic
spread through the streets and the inhabitants of Uruk fled for their lives. Gugulanna was aggressive.
He destroyed everything that came in his way. Enkidu was first to challenge him. He took the
bull by his horns and shouted after Gilgamesh. "My friend, stabb the bull in the neck". Enkidu
rushed behind the wild bull and grabbed his tail. And as Gugulanna turned to crush and Enkidu,
Gilgamesh jumped onto the bull and thrust his dagger between the horn. Gugulanna fell to
the
warm ground and stopped breathing. Ishtar climbed the wall of Uruk and cried aloud "Gilgamesh
has defiled me and killed the bull of heaven." When Enkidu heard her he tore off the bull's
shoulder and threw it at Ishtar's face. "If I got hold of you I would do to you as I did to this one.
I would hang the bull's intestines over your arms." When everything had settled the friends
took out Gugulanna's heart and offered it to Shamash, the sun god, who saved
them in the battle against Humbab
a. In the evening, Gilgamesh did as he promised.
He organized a great feast in his palace and during the feast Gilgamesh asked the young
women "Who is the most beautiful of all men?" "Gilgamesh is the most beautiful of all
men", they answered. Then Gilgamesh asked "Who is the proudest of all men?" "Enkidu is the
proudest of all men", the women answered. After the great feast, Gilgamesh and Enkidu fell
asleep. That night Enkidu had a dream. He awoke in the middle of the night and told Gilgam
esh
that the great gods had taken counsel. Enkidu explained his dream to Gilgamesh. "The sky god Anu
spoke to the wind god Enlil and said that since they have killed the bull of heaven, killed Humbaba,
and cut down the cedar trees. One of them must die". Gilgamesh eyes filled with tears. Although he had
divine blood, he was not a pure god and only the pure gods were immortal. "My brother, I will pray
to the great gods. I will call upon Shamash, I will pray to Anu and Enlil", Gilgamesh said.
"My friend,
when Enlil has spoken his word it does not change. As birds leave the earth, so does the man".
The judgment of the gods was inevitable. But it did not fall on Gilgamesh but on Enkidu
who died 12 days later. Gilgamesh cried until his cheeks were red. He covered his friend like
a bride and circled above him like an eagle. "You are silent. You can't hear me. Your heart is no
longer beating". Gilgamesh paced back and forth. Tore his hair and threw away his jewelry. "Enkidu, my only
friend. The painter of the steppe. Together we climbed to the top of the mountains. You were the shield
that protected me. The sword at my side". Gilgamesh wandered about in the wasteland and cried out to
the gods. "Shall I also die? Am I not like Enkidu?" Enkidu's passing caused Gilgamesh to
think about his own death. So he decided to make the long journey to Utnapishtim.
The only man who could give him eternal life. Gilgamesh went on a journey away from Uruk again.
This time in search of
immortality. After wandering for months, killing lions, and dressing in their
skins Gilgamesh faced his most difficult challenge. The Mashu mountain. Scorpion creatures dressed
in white mantles guarded the mighty entrance. Gilgamesh froze in fair when he saw them.
The scorpion man told the scorpion woman "somebody has arrived. His body is of divine
flesh." "He is two-thirds god, one-third human", the scorpion woman replied. "Who are you? Where
are you going? Why have you come all this way?"
, the scorpion man asked Gilgamesh. "I am Gilgamesh. My
errand is to see Utnapishtim, he who sought and received eternal life." The scorpion man recognized
Gilgamesh by his name. "That's impossible Gilgamesh. Nobody has ever passed the Mashu mountains
narrow passage". But Gilgamesh insisted. He told the scorpion man the grief he had been through and the
scorpion man sympathized with him. "Don't be scared. The Mashu mountain gives you permission to go",
the scorpion man said. Gilgamesh walke
d through a dark tunnel in the mountain pass and after
12 double hours he felt the wind in his face. Gilgamesh came out on the other side of the
mountain. The race of the sun lit up the vast ocean below him. And by the seashore he saw the beautiful
bear brewer Siduri. Gilgamesh went to her. "Brewer, why did you lock the door when you saw me? I
will smash it and break open the door lock. I am Gilgamesh who killed Humbaba." "If you are
Gilgamesh, why are you dressed in lion skin? Why do you l
ook like a wanderer? Why
is your face so worn with sorrow?" "Why wouldn't my face be worn with sorrow? My friend
whom I loved, Enkidu, has become earth again. Am I not like him? Now tell me brewer, where
is the way to Utnapishtim?" "There never was a way Gilgamesh. Since time immemorial no one has
traveled across the sea with the waters of death. But go to the ferryman Ushunabi. If possible
travel with him, otherwise turn back!" Gilgamesh found the ferryman Urshunabi and built him a ship.
Together they traveled across the waters of death and came to the end of the world, to Utnapishtim,
who was not happy to have visitors. "Why are you prolonging the suffering Gilgamesh? What have you
achieved? You have only filled yourself with sorrow, you have only allowed the last day to come closer.
Death is inevitable. For Gilgamesh and for the fool." "When I look at you Utnapishtim, I see that
you are just like me. Tell me how did you end up among the gods and received eternal life?". Utn
apishtim told
Gilgamesh of the flood the Enlil caused to destroy humanity and how Utnapishtim, with the
help of the god of wisdom Ea, built an ark that allowed him to survive. A fun fact is that the
flood story in the Epic of Gilgamesh is almost identical to the flood story that appears much
later in the Old Testament. Gilgamesh felt silent at Utnapishtim's story of the ark. But he didn't
accept it as to leave and live a mortal life. Utnapishtim gave him a chance to get eternal life. "Try t
o stay
awake for seven nights." Gilgamesh was shocked at how easy that challenge was. He sat down with his
head on his knees and immediately fell asleep. "Look at the young man seeking eternal life. Sleep
has fallen upon him like a mist." "Wake him up and let him travel back in peace to his people", Utnapishtim wife
answered. "Man is clever. Bake a piece of bread for every night he sleeps." Then Utnapishtim touched Gilgamesh
who woke up and denied that he had fallen asleep. "Look here. Coun
t the pieces of bread . Then you'll know how many days you were asleep." Then he showed Gilgamesh the seven pieces of bread.
The first was dry, the seventh was freshly baked. I actually tried to recreate Utnapishtim's
wife's bread for my upcoming cookbook Table of Gods by using ingredients that
were available in Uruk 5000 years ago. If you want to try making this lineseed
bread go to tableofgods.com/wifebread Gilgamesh was heartbroken. He just lost
his chance to become immortal. "What can I
do Utnapishtim? Everywhere I look death
stares at me." "Let me reveal a secret Gilgamesh. There is a plant with thorns in the great sea. If
you can catch this plant you will be young again." Gilgamesh didn't hesitate. He tied stones
to his feet, took a deep breath, and sank to the bottom and found the plant. Then he
removed the stones and floated up again. For the first time since Enkidu
died, Gilgamesh felt happiness. "Urshunabi, Urshunabi! This plant can cure all troubles.
I shall call
it old becomes young." Urshanabi set course to Uruk. Gilgamesh
plan was to let an old man eat the plant first so that he could see that it worked
before he ate it himself. But before they arrived Gilgamesh wanted to freshen up. So he
left "old becomes young" under his supervision and bathed in a small woodland lake. Then all
of a sudden a snake came by and ate the plant. The snake shed its skin and disappeared. Gilgamesh
cried in despair. He took hold of Urshunabi and said "For whom have I
tired my hand? For whom have I
shed my heart's blood?" When Gilgamesh returned to Uruk he saw his city with new eyes. He noticed the
great walls that he had been blinded to see before. Gilgamesh asked the god of wisdom Ea if he
could bring Enkidu up to earth just one last time. So Ea opened a hole to the
underworld and let Enkidu's spirit rise. Gilgamesh didn't believe his eyes. He
embraced and kissed his beloved friend. "Tell me, tell me my friend, tell me about the
underworld." "I cannot
tell you my friend. If I were to tell you about the underworld as
I've seen it you would fall down and cry." "Then I will fall down and cry". Enkidu sighed. "The spirits of the dead have different destinies in the underworld. Some
have a good existence, others live in misery. Those who have left mourners behind are
those who live a good life as spirits." With that said Enkidu went down to the
underworld again. It was the last time the two friends saw each other on earth. Today they
likely
live together as spirits in the underworld. A few days ago I told my four-year-old
son Sargon the Epic of Gilgamesh as a bedtime story. Sargon listened intensely with his eyes
wide open. Then Sargon asks if I can retell the story and change it so that Gilgamesh gets
the plant. I said no I can't do that, because that's not how the story unfolds. Then Sargon
started to cry as four-year-olds do when they don't get what they want. And I just simply had
to retell it or he would never go to sleep
. So I retold it and told him that Gilgamesh got
the plant. And then Sargon fell asleep. Even four-year-olds can conceive the concept of
death. And I think it's interesting that it's so intrinsic to humans that we don't want to
die. As a matter of fact we live our lives as if we had endless of time. But if you count
how many weeks you have left until you die statistically or until you're too old to live
life fully, you'd be surprised that the number. Think about that for a moment. And think
about
Enkidu's last words to Gilgamesh and ask yourself. Who will mourn when you die? Or maybe
more importantly, what will they say about you?
Comments
If you enjoyed the video, check out my upcoming cookbook inspired by the world’s oldest recipes (from ancient Mesopotamia) at www.tableofgods.com
About time someone made an adaptation of the oldest known tale!
The credits in the description is hilarious, well done.
Speechless from how majestic the images are and how the story was told. This story should be known by every man, women and child
This would make a great movie. Their friendship is the best part!
i love your mythology videos - great work !
This is wonderful! Terrific telling of this story.
WOW! for the FIRST time in 2 yrs, I finally found a page that actually explains gilgamesh enkidu, etc, instead of leaving me more confused! That (edit: thank) you so much! Very good video.
I don't know you, and never heard of you or your YouTube channel. To keep the comment short, I stumble upon your short film. It's very good, I really enjoyed it. You have a talent for story telling. The gift of gab, some might say. I'm no stranger to the Epic, I've read it many times but I've never heard it vocally before. Even if it was a condensed telling. The part of story I liked the most was the ending, how you shared your sons reaction to the story.
Beautiful film! Wonderful that you named your son Sargon. My son is named Enkidu. I have subscribed and can't wait to make some of your recipes!
Valoro la iniciativa de hacer el film. Esperemos que más adelante sea un film en toda su expresión. Ánimo. Gracias
this is very a good story for the mankind, especially right now, when we are always at war now knowing our earth was just one earth, human should respect each other like how gilgamesh and enkidu did. thank you for remembering this good story. cheers. WORLD PEACE
Thanks bro. The greatest tale ever!!!!!
Thank you for this enjoyable tale.
Wonderful video! Could you please provide the source of the image used for Gilgamesh? I would love to have a high definition image. Thank you a lot.
🌻🌻 Great Video
great presentation
Very nice narration of the story and very meaningful your lasts words. Thank you !
Very well done. Enkidu has some wise words.
Nice rendition.