Here
is one of the clay/stone tablets on which the story of Gilgamesh was written. It probably is the oldest surviving written
story on Earth. It comes from Ancient Sumeria, and was originally written in
cunieform script on a dozen clay tablets which have their origin more than 3,000 years ago.
Where
have I read this before?
A
number of years ago I read the story of Gilgamesh.
Never
heard of him or of his story? Not surprising.
Gilgamesh is the protagonist in a narrative poem written in ancient Mesopotamia and centers round his life
as the king of Uruk -- modern day Iraq. He ruled in the neighborhood of between
2750 and 2500 BCE. The tale is derived from several poems written about him, which serve as a background for the events in the "Epic of
Gilgamesh."
The
story has been recovered mainly from twelve clay/stone tablets. Fragments from
several other versions found have added some missing details to create a more
comprehensive story, although even today some parts of it are missing. The
oldest tablets date back about 3,000 to 3,500 years. The story deals with Gilgamesh and his relationship with Enkidu and his failed quest for
immortality, following the death of Enkidu. In this way, it is reminiscent of Adam and Eve.
A
particular segment of the tale sounded more than a little familiar. Hmmmm .... is
that not the story of Noah from the Bible? Sure enough. Gilgamesh encounters
Utnapishtim, the Mesopotamian Noah who survived the "Great Flood" by building an
ark and taking his family and livestock aboard. The story of Gilgamesh
includes sort of the story of Noah/Utnapishtim, with more details and more sex.
A
synopsis, leaving out the sex: Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh how the
gods decided to flood the world and eradicate mankind. However, Ea, the god of
wisdom, warns Utnapishtim of the flood and instructs him to build an ark and
take his family and livestock aboard. The gods regret flooding the world and
vow to never wipe out humanity again. Utnapishtim was granted immortality by
the gods as a reward for his faith.
Which
brings me to me in modern-day Minnnnneeeessoooottaaaa. January set several
records for the coldest this and the coldest that, as well as instances of the
hottest this and the hottest that. February is in the process of setting
records for the snowiest this and the snowiest that -- which is the current
dilemma I am facing.
Twenty-six
(26) inches of snow have come down in the past eight days, and more is promised
on Saint Valentine's Day. Those figures are hardly astronomical, but they are
something less than fun when it comes to shoveling and getting out and about. I
am thinking about rounding up all of the dogs in the neighborhood -- and there are
lots and lots of them, plus at least one fox and a few coyote -- and
undertaking an expedition to secure "grub" and other essentials.
Yep,
I am exaggerating, but just a bit, and I am beginning to feel something like
Alexander McKeag in James Michener's novel, "Centennial:"
"It
was a bad winter and he (McKeag) was soon snowed under. Drifts covered him and once more
he lived at the bottom of a cave. Since he had survived such entombments
before, this one did not cause apprehension, and there was one change which brought
a measure of contentment. Each day at sunset, after he had crawled back into
his tunnel, he brewed himself one small cup of lapsang souchong, and as its
smoky aroma filled the cave, it brought visions of ...."
Whoa,
wait, slow down, hmmmm .... what was the name of that brew again?
By
the way, did I mention that Gilgamesh finally gives up on his quest for immortality
....
8 comments:
Hello! I had to google that Gilgamesh aseveral times before google came up with this info that he was a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, a major hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology,
Very interesting!Specially the old plate showing him , Gilgamesh as Master of Animals, grasping a lion in his left arm and snake in his right hand,I should read more about that Babylon time
Ahh I know all about the SHOVELING SNOW THING!
A good thing here at my place it is all gone now..But the ice on the waters still are some meters thick
"Centennial"I got a vague thought i have heard about it before..I shall google it too
Ok Here in Bergen very lazy days..Iam not even on the computer!
I got tired of it..Beside i have very fun time with the 3 squerrels visiting me every morning!they are so funny eating all the nuts and
sunflower seeds(I bet when summer comes there will be alot of sunflowers in the garden)
Ok Fram As I have told you..I am a lazy lady these days!You
Keep on the good work and shoveling snow and get a really nice path way to drive in ..And say hello tho Buddy from me
See you
Happy Valentine's Day, Anita. If I were there, I would take you out to the best restaurant in Bergen ....
Historical novels have been among my favorites since I was a boy, and I was reading James Michener by the time I was a teenager.
The grandeur of ancient Egypt seems to overpower the other elements of the Middle East, Anita, but the so-called "Cradle of Civilization" and the "Fertile Crescent" were the areas along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day countries such as Iraq. The earliest known civilizations were in ancient Mesopotamia and date back 5,000 to 6,000 years, while Egypt did not begin its rise to power for another thousand years.
I occasionally mention Michener and his novel, "Centennial," but one of his earlier stories, "The Source," led me to "studying" this element of history and encountering the epic poem about Gilgamesh. "The Source," in many ways, offers a view of Judaism, its religion, history and culture, but I think of it as a "historical survey" of the region -- the numerous peoples who came, who saw, who conquered, who crumbled into dust .... to paraphrase Julius Caesar. It is another fabulous book, to my way of thinking, and I wish more people would read it.
By the way, Gilgamesh literally is a "wild man" living with wild animals when the story begins. Enkidu is a prostitute who is sent to find him and to tame him, in a manner of speaking. She does, too, in more ways than one.
Switching lanes now, I have been feeding "critters," mostly squirrels and birds, since I first moved here. Squirrels really are entertaining to watch and, if a person is patient, they can be "tamed" to a large degree. When I was a hunter, it was very noticeable that some "critters" are more wary and more intelligent than are others. I am sure that is a genetic factor, too, just as it is with us sort of human types.
The snow that was predicted for today failed to put in an appearance. I have not checked, so I am not sure if it missed us or if it merely is behind schedule. Right now, I do not care one way or the other. I sort have resigned myself that no matter how much I whine and how much I shovel, snow will either come or it will not and there is nothing I can do about it. Mother Nature still rules .... hmmmm .... the snow finally came, but it left only an inch behind.
By the way, I began reading, "The Third Life of Per Smevik," and learned that the Norwegian edition of, "Giants in the Earth," originally was published in two volumes: "I de dage" ("In Those Days") and "Riket grundlegges" ("The Founding of the Kingdom"). I will write more about Per Smevik when I have finished the book.
So, Ms. Norway, stay warm and dry, and I send you wishes for good fortune and weather-luck ....
I read clay panels in Wikipedia.
An exciting fascinating epic.
It is incredible that stone tiles are now readable.
Beautiful artistic writing. It's great that there are people who can translate this epic.
I recently watched Noah's movie.
Very interesting are history or story-based movies.
Magical atmosphere has been taken in Gilgamesh's video, a bit exciting.
Video igloo feels very inviting.
It's a wonderful feeling that you can go to a warm place.:)
Yes I also love the iglo video(I have listened to storms many times and bet you have too ..it is very relaxing IF you stay warm inside relaxing :)BTW I am reading.. Paa Glemte Veie....av Ole edvard Rølvaag now..Ohh boy those cold winthers up in the Canadian landscape..Cold and snowy as it coud be..The book is on Gammal Norsk and takes a bit more time to read..You know all those aaaa..and ååååå..and all those "come in" "homestead" and shanty The time in Alberta in Saskatchewan(before Mrs.Larsen died and Mabel and Mr.Larsen went to Kanada)was just epic Iam now at page 68 Larsen is sick and Marbel is taking over the little farm.There is some hard times coming up.
Anita
I encountered the story of Gilgamesh when I was a college boy scrounging around in back rooms of historical societies and "closed to the general public" portions of libraries, which, without being specific, was before the era of the internet. The most fascinating element to me, Liplatus, was "punching in" the name Gilgamesh on my computer and discovering the wealth of information now present today, including the musical piece about Enkidu. What a difference a couple of decades can make -- it is almost beyond comprehension and a bit frightening.
Remembering that "written history" does not go back very far in the United States and that "Indian wars" were still being fought less than 125 years ago, the advances of technology truly are remarkable. The last Native American scrap, in fact, was the "Battle of Sugar Point" in 1898 on the Leech Lake Reservation right here in Minnesota between army infantry and members of the Pillager Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe/Ojibwa) Indians.
Back on point, to Gilgamesh: He and his times certainly are key in the march of "civilization," and, from my point of view, I would hope additional materials from that era will be recovered to add to the overall tale of humankind. Advances in archaeology and, most particularly, in science push back dates of human accomplishments further and further, almost on a weekly basis now. It truly will be an age of discovery in terms of our past as the decades slip away.
It is especially interesting when Biblical and other historical tales are confirmed by stories such as that of Gilgamesh and/or other archaeological evidence.
An igloo or other form of ice house can be very comfortable once a person has had a few days to acclimate to such a lifestyle. I know that from experience. By the way, the view from my window today has not been too different than the view of the igloo in the video. I have just experienced about ten inches of snowfall over a period of about six hours. Actually, snow still is coming down, and I think I will refrain from experiencing it other than by looking out my windows at it.
So, Liplatus, I am glad you came by and wrote a comment for me. Thank you. I truly enjoy your presence here and reading your thoughts about my posts ....
This novel, "Paa Glemte Veie," also has escaped my attention, Anita, and I plan to seek it out now that I see it was Ole Rolvaag's second book and published under the pseudonym of Paal Morck in 1914.
I have been taking my time -- a few pages here, a few pages there -- reading, "The Third Life of Per Smevik." I hope to write a bit about it in a post when I finish reading it.
The book is relatively short and I am reading it slowly -- rereading pages at times -- because the story is fascinating to me since I can easily identify my own ancestors living similar experiences. The novel is in the form of letters written by Peder Smevik to his father and brother back in Norway. It is not difficult for me to imagine these letters were written by one of my ancestors to the family he left behind in "the old country."
As I mentioned to Liplatus, the view from my window today was not too different than the view of the igloo in the video. I have been the recipient of about ten inches of snow falling in about six hours. We have just set a new record for snowfall during the month of February in the Twin Cities, and another storm is predicted Saturday night into Sunday. And, after that, another four days remain before February becomes March. Perhaps this is the "Fimbulvetr" -- the winter which precedes Ragnorak .... do you suppose ????
Weather conditions continue to make life difficult and dangerous for those living in Western states, Anita. Farmers and ranchers often need to be self-sufficient simply to survive. There are times even now when a family might have to go for a month or two or three without electrical power or any form of resupply.
I am glad you made a return visit to me, Anita, and happy you are reading more of Ole Rolvaag's writing. I consider him to be among the best novelists ever to put pen to paper, but I suppose my own Norwegian roots prejudice me in that sense. I know, "Giants in the Earth," is my personal favorite novel and I believe there is as much truth/reality in it as there is fiction -- perhaps even more.
Take care, stay safe and do not forget me, Anita. You are a true treasure and I greatly appreciate your presence in my life .... later ....
I remember reading about Gilgamesh when I was little. I had a history book knocking about in the house. It had countless myths in it and Gilgamesh was one of them.
I don't remember the sex, though. :-)
Greetings from London.
Gilgamesh is an established historical figure, CiL, with significant documentation to demonstrate he was the king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk (Iraq) about 4,500 years ago. A mythology later evolved regarding some elements of his life.
When I think of it, I cannot recall seeing any "sexological data" in any history book. Remember, this is an epic poem and not history per se, more to be compared with the work of James Joyce than with the writings of Will Durant or Joseph Campbell. There is considerable and very explicit sex in the story and, I am certain, many people would describe segments of it as pornographic -- sort of like segments of the original Arabic, "One Thousand and One Nights," particularly in the translation by Sir Richard Francis Burton.
Read it sometime. I think you would find it fascinating ....
Thank you, CiL. It is always great to have you visit and comment ....
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