The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the religion consists of a belief system in various gods, interpretation of dreams, symbolism and magic. Humanity worships and obeys the various gods, but the gods are frivolous and can be vindictive. Despite a person's behavior, any god may turn on any mortal. The Gods are feared but not feared as much as death. Death scares Gilgamesh because of the unknown and two thirds of his journey is about escaping it. Gilgamesh even insults and denies the advances of the Goddess Ishtar because he believes she tends to bring bad endings for her various lovers. He will exploit the division of the Gods to escape death and the unknown.

While there are various Gods for almost every deed, belief and action, there is not a God to symbolize death itself. Gildgamesh is in conflict by various Gods but the real antagonist is invisible. Enkidu and Gilgamesh kill a third rate God Humbaba and Gilgamesh even asks his God mother Shunun to pray to Shamesh for them. "From the day I go until I return, till I reach the cedar forest and destroy the evil which Shamash abhors, pray for me to Shamash." But Ishtar will hate them both for killing Humbaba and will speak a curse upon both of them .

Gilgamesh also kills two stone giants that belonged to Urshanabi. - "Gilgamesh, those things you destroyed, their property is to carry me over the water, to prevent the waters of death from touching me. " There is a tier system of Gods where some are considered "Kings of Gods" while others are second rate like Ishtar and then third rate Gods like Humbaba and the stone giants. So the religion or their belief system is more about personal connection to which ever God than simply obey all of them.

Ishtar makes sexual advances towards Gilgamesh but instead of sleeping with a Goddess and displeasing her, he declines, insults her and tells her why. Giving