Gilgamesh and Aeneas The Epic of Gilgamesh and Virgil's Aeneas exemplify ancient epic poetry. Both works trace the psychological evolution of a semi-divine male hero who meets with immense personal trauma and hardship. Gilgamesh mourns the loss of his only companion, Enkidu, while Aeneas experiences the loss of his family, his people, and his homeland. In both cases, the pain transforms the hero into a wiser, more human leader. The ability to overcome personal loss and sacrifice becomes the hallmark of Gilgamesh and Aeneas. Each character must travel far from home to undergo their transformation into an ideal hero. During the course of their journeys, they encounter monsters and other supernatural forces that either assist or thwart their efforts. Throughout the course of the epics, both Gilgamesh and Aeneas exhibit typical heroic traits such as physical prowess, bravery, and leadership. They are both portrayed as possessing human weaknesses coupled with godlike powers. However, as leaders and as men, Gilgamesh and Aeneas differ on many counts. Gilgamesh starts out as an egotistical, brazen king who oppresses his people, while Aeneas begins as a more reluctant and just leader. Therefore, Gilgamesh learns to temper his self-centeredness with humility; Aeneas must build self-confidence and faith in his destiny. Gilgamesh and Aeneas emerge as ideal heroes not only because of their birthright, brawn, and bravery, but also because of their ability to overcome enormous personal loss, tragedy, and grief.

Gilgamesh and Aeneas leave their homelands for entirely different reasons. Gilgamesh sets off on a personal quest, not knowing that the outcome will be a renewed vision of his homeland and his role as leader. Sick of their tyrannical ruler's antics, the oppressed people of Uruk pray to the gods for assistance. The divine response is to create an equal for Gilgamesh, one who rivals him in physical strength. Enkidu thus becomes Gilgamesh's trusted friend and...

Initially Gilgamesh seeks personal glory by seeking out the monster Humbaba in the Cedar Forest. With Enkidu, Gilgamesh demonstrates his fearlessness: even the powerful Enkidu cowers at taking on Humbaba. Gilgamesh takes on Humbaba in spite of warnings and portents. On the contrary, Aeneas reluctantly embarks on a seafaring journey to find a new homeland after the sack of Troy. Unlike Gilgamesh, who travels in search of personal glory and gratification, Aeneas seeks only to preserve his heritage and provide a safe home for his people. Aeneas is concerned with respecting the past and making foundations for the future. The Trojan left his homeland forcibly, as a result of the vengeful Juno. Aeneas possesses none of the arrogance exhibited by Gilgamesh. Yet although Gilgamesh and Aeneas embark on their journeys for different reasons, both end up benefiting themselves and their people through their trials. Having to sacrifice the past, their homeland and their people, Gilgamesh and Aeneas emerge as classic heroes.
Their physical and psychological makeup also defines Gilgamesh and Aeneas as heroes. Gilgamesh is actually more divine than human: "The bigger part of him was made in heaven / and the smaller part somewhere on earth," (Tablet 1, column 2). Aeneas is the son of the goddess Venus and a noble Anchises. However, the two heroes perceive their roles differently. At first, Gilgamesh takes full advantage of his regal heritage by continually boasting his powers. In fact, his desire to show off indirectly causes Enkidu's death, the main cause of his grief and subsequent transformation. Aeneas, on the other hand, almost tries to deny his destiny. He is "compelled by fate, an exile out of Troy," (Book 1). Aeneas often struggles with his role as leader in spite of the divine and human support he receives. Portrayed as "so brave, so just a man," Aeneas's task is to become more aware of his heroism. While Gilgamesh demonstrates…