Interpretation of the Epic of Gilgamesh

On the surface, the epic tells the story of King Gilgamesh’s heroic deeds and his quest for immortality. However, to understand the true meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one must view it from the perspective of the gods.

Inanna and some other Anunnaki gods planned to extend the kingdom of the gods in heaven to earth. To this end, they built a magnificent residence for the gods in a remote cedar forest. The residence was Inanna’s sanctuary. Inanna planned to rule over kings and princes from there. She planned to establish the kingdom of the gods on Earth.

The gods protected their residence and the surrounding cedar forest with a strong wall so that it could only be entered through a gate. The fierce giant Humbaba, who was twice the size of a man, was given the task of guarding the cedar forest by Enlil. But Utu, the god of justice, could not approve of this. He therefore helped Gilgamesh to defeat the giant Humbaba so that humans could continue to claim the earth for themselves.

The desperate Inanna wanted to save the project of the gods in the cedar forest by making Gilgamesh the king at her side. In the cedar forest, the residence of the gods, he was to rule with her over kings and princes. But Gilgamesh, who was aware of Inanna’s volatile nature, refused. As Inanna could not have the great Gilgamesh at her side, she had no choice but to destroy him. She therefore unleashed the heavenly bull on the earth to defeat Gilgamesh. However, Gilgamesh and Enkidu managed to kill the bull as well. Enlil, who had entrusted Humbaba with guarding the cedar forest, therefore personally decided that Enkidu must die. Gilgamesh was not to die, as he was destined for a different fate.

Enkidu died and Gilgamesh realized that he too would have to die at some point. Gilgamesh therefore began to look for a way to become immortal. Gilgamesh then set off to Utnapishtim to ask him how he had attained immortality. Utnapishtim reported that Enlil had given it to him. He explained to Gilgamesh that he too had to find a god who was willing to give him eternal life.

To cheer Gilgamesh up, Utnapishtim told him that there was also a plant that, like a tonic, could give him back the strength of his youth. Gilgamesh found this plant, but then lost it again without having tested its effect. In the end, Gilgamesh died as someone who, without knowing it, had prevented the kingdom of the gods on Earth.