Epic of Gilgamesh, Considered a

¶ … Epic of Gilgamesh, considered a "hero-king" of ancient Mesopotamia (Kovacs, 1989). This story like many in ancient texts, often considered mythology, includes encounters and tails of Gilgamesh's experiences with creatures not human and human alike. The story contains many themes that are central truths one might hold standard today. These truths revolve around the nature of human relationships and the way people interact with each other, and subsequently feel (Kovacs, 1989).

Some of the emotions explored common to contemporary man include the concepts of "friendship, loss, loneliness, revenge, fear, regret and fear of the unknown or afterlife" (Kovacs, 2). Gilgamesh is often not a subject of consideration among philosophers as it is not as easily read as other ancient texts including those of the Odyssey (Kovacs, 2). The original story dates back to roughly the seventh century B.C., only coming to the contemporary world recently.

Based on the hero Gilgamesh's encounters, the work is said to have been written by the epic hero, thus many likely considered these tales to be true during the era in which they were written. Gilgamesh discusses human existence in a way that suggests a portion of the population is "divine" and the other "human" with both demonstrating characteristics of "strength and beauty" (Kovacs, 3).

There are also suggestions that Gilgamesh became enraptured with women and often engaged in wanton lustful acts, something common to humans living in contemporary times, a subject human relationship experts often ponder. There is ample information leading to the conclusion that Gilgamesh was indeed a real person that ruled in Uruk during roughly 2700-2500 B.C. (Kovacs, 4). There are many tales of the authentic or true Gilgamesh engaging in battle, often represented during these times as a great Lord, many of whom considered God-like in nature.

Many of the people living during this time honored Gilgamesh in an almost "cult" like manner, which is similar to how many leaders today take on their roles as leaders of nations and countries, relying on a cult-like following to support and uphold their decisions and manners. Leed (1991) notes another commonality Gilgamesh shares with contemporary society, and that is the habit of travel.

In contemporary society for example, millions of people travel far from their homeland each and every day, whether for work, in the pursuit of knowledge, to reclaim new lands or to vacation. Gilgamesh engages in his pursuits in frequent travel, as noted by the questions often queried of him regarding his appearance, "...why is despair in your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey;.. why do you come here wandering.. In search of the wind" (Sanders, 103).

Universal truths associated with Gilgamesh's travels center around "fatigue, hardship and danger" and suggests journey or travel has the ability to change individuals and create "shepherds" of peace from "predators," often with characters like Gilgamesh and even Odysseus traveling in search of immortality, which they are not to find (Leed, 6). It is here that we also see the acceptance.