Sumerianstone sculpture with Gilgamesh wrestling two bulls; two lions alsoappear.  Found in the

Sumerianstone sculpture with Gilgamesh wrestling two bulls; two lions alsoappear.  Found in the Shara Temple at Tell Agrab (2600 – 2370 BC). From the Early Dynastic Period of Mesopotamia.Althoughmore well-known as the first epic hero in ancient literature,Gilgamesh was actually a real king who ruled sometime between 2800 –2500 BC, during the Early Dynastic Period – the fifth king of theFirst Dynasty of Uruk.  He was known as “Bilgames” in Sumerian,and “Gilgamos” in Greek.DuringGilgamesh’s lifetime, his influence was so great that myths of hisdivine status sprang up around his deeds.  He became a major figurein Sumerian legend during the Ur III Period (c. 2112 – 2004 BC),and he was eventually accepted as a god.Gilgamesh’sfather was Lugalbanda, another priest-king of Uruk.  There are twopoems earlier than the Epic that feature Lugalbanda, both about hismagical abilities.Gilgamesh’smother was Ninsun, also known as Ninsumun, “lady of the wild cows”. Ninsun’s parents were the deities Anu and Uras, which made her agoddess (although she is depicted as a human queen in the Epic).SoGilgamesh was a demi-god by birth.  He had a very long life (theSumerian King List says he ruled for 126 years), and had superhumanstrength.LaterMesopotamian kings would invoke his name and claim his lineage. Shulgi (r. c. 2094 – 2047 BC) said that Lugalbanda and Ninsun werehis parents, and Gilgamesh his brother, in order to elevate his reignin the eyes of the people.Inthe Epic, Gilgamesh leaves the kingdom after the death of his bestfriend Enkidu.  He seeks out the mystical figure Utnapishtim, andtries to gain immortality – though he ultimately fails.Gilgamesh’sfear of death is actually a fear of meaningless.  Although he fails,the quest itself gives his life meaning.  This theme has been used bywriters and philosophers up to the present day, and is first fullyexplored in the Epic. -- source link

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