Gilgamesh is a man, but he is also a god, he is the sum of many stories told over generations. Gilgamesh was able to bring peace to Uruk and his subjects worshipped him. But boredom and lack of challenge caused him to become ruthless. The citizens, tired of his excesses, turned to the gods for help. Ishtar sent Enkidu to confront Gilgamesh, but the battle between the two did not progress as the goddess had hoped. Finally they recognized each other as equals and became inseparable friends.
The themes of these stories continue to resonate with us today: death, which no one can escape, and friendship, which we all seek to find.
