Epic of Gilgamesh

Alina Dragan

According to the Epic of Gilgamesh, Sumerians envisioned kings as great godly heroes. The Sumerian people thought kings should be a shepherd to his people “No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the king should be a shepherd to his people (p.62)”. Here is an example of a kings strength “There is not another like you in the world. Ninsum, who is as strong as a wild ox in the byre (p.69)”. Although kings were thought of as shepherds to his people, kings were also expected to have great vigor and strength during their rule. Another expectation of a king is that even if he thought of himself as a god he also was expected to listen to other Gods and take their advices “The meaning of the dream is this … do not be grieved or oppressed. He has given you power to bind and to loose, to be the darkness and the light of mankind. He has given you unexampled supremacy over the people, victory in battle from which no fugitive returns, in forays and assaults from which there is no going back. But do not abuse this power (p.70)”. Kings were also honorable “Then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation though the land, he summoned them all, the coppersmiths, the goldsmiths, the stone-workers, and commanded them, ‘Make a statue of my friend (p.96)”. Here we see an example for a king’s compassion towards his companions.   “This too was the work of Gilgamesh, the king, who knew the countries of the world. He was wise, he saw mysteries and knew secret things, he bought us a tale of the days before the flood. He went a long journey, was weary, worn out with labor, and returning engraved on a stone the whole story (p.117)”. A king was expected to embark on epic journeys and come back with enlightened wisdom.  “He has given unexampled supremacy over the people, victory in battle from which there is no going back (p.118)”. From the Epic of Gilgamesh the kings were ruthless in how they ruled, but also had to have certain compassion. No matter how strong and powerful he was to be seen as a shepherd and people needed to be guided and he had to be fair and injustice to them.