Gilgamesh
While the Epic of Gilgamesh outlines a multitude of qualities that define good kingship, one characteristic that is perhaps commonly overlooked but is nonetheless incredibly important is that of physical appearance. Because the ancient Mesopotamians believed that a king’s power and status derived not only from their legislative or judicial authority, but rather, and perhaps more notably, from their deep connection to the gods and the divine world, it was essential for kings to be presented as stunning, godlike individuals (George, xlii). This was especially true for Gilgamesh -- as a demigod whose body was essentially hand-crafted by the gods, he is initially presented as an imposing man with great physical strength and exceptional …show more content…
Like the original king created by Ea and the Mother Goddess, Gilgamesh’s form was also crafted by the gods. The poem states, “It was the Lady of the Gods drew the form of his figure, / while his build was perfected by divine Nudimmud” (I, 49-50). Because of this, Gilgamesh is described at the beginning of the poem as being an uniquely attractive and majestic individual. The text states, “when he grew tall his beauty was consummate, / by earthly standards he was most handsome” (I, 61-62), an idea that is further reinforced later in the poem when Shamhat describes Gilgamesh to Enkidu as one who is “fair in manhood, dignified in bearing, / graced with charm is his whole person” (I, 236-237). Unfortunately for the people of Uruk, while Gilgamesh may have possessed undeniable grandeur, this did not necessarily mean that he was a good king. In fact, Gilgamesh is initially presented as a selfish, abusive tyrant, and the remaining events of the poem unfold only because the women of Uruk complained to the goddesses about Gilgamesh’s despotism (I, 73-74). On one hand, these passages make it clear that exceptional physical attributes and opulent attire were certainly not the only requirements for good kingship. However, with its specific, persistent references to Gilgamesh’s physical appearance, the poem establishes an obvious connection …show more content…
In answering this question, it is interesting to note the similarities between the physical descriptions of the forlorn, wandering king and of the wild Enkidu at the beginning of the poem. Like Gilgamesh, Enkidu was also a direct creation of the gods: the poem states, “The goddess Aruru, she washed her hands, / took a pinch of clay, threw it down in the wild. / In the wild she created Enkidu, the hero, / offspring of silence, knit strong by Ninurta” (I, 101-104). However, while Enkidu possessed incredible physical strength and magnificence, his initial appearance was drastically different from that of the stately, finely-clothed Gilgamesh. The poem states that Enkidu resembled “the god of the animals” and “All his body is matted with hairhe bears long tresses like those of a
While the Epic of Gilgamesh outlines a multitude of qualities that define good kingship, one characteristic that is perhaps commonly overlooked but is nonetheless incredibly important is that of physical appearance. Because the ancient Mesopotamians believed that a king’s power and status derived not only from their legislative or judicial authority, but rather, and perhaps more notably, from their deep connection to the gods and the divine world, it was essential for kings to be presented as stunning, godlike individuals (George, xlii). This was especially true for Gilgamesh -- as a demigod whose body was essentially hand-crafted by the gods, he is initially presented as an imposing man with great physical strength and exceptional …show more content…
Like the original king created by Ea and the Mother Goddess, Gilgamesh’s form was also crafted by the gods. The poem states, “It was the Lady of the Gods drew the form of his figure, / while his build was perfected by divine Nudimmud” (I, 49-50). Because of this, Gilgamesh is described at the beginning of the poem as being an uniquely attractive and majestic individual. The text states, “when he grew tall his beauty was consummate, / by earthly standards he was most handsome” (I, 61-62), an idea that is further reinforced later in the poem when Shamhat describes Gilgamesh to Enkidu as one who is “fair in manhood, dignified in bearing, / graced with charm is his whole person” (I, 236-237). Unfortunately for the people of Uruk, while Gilgamesh may have possessed undeniable grandeur, this did not necessarily mean that he was a good king. In fact, Gilgamesh is initially presented as a selfish, abusive tyrant, and the remaining events of the poem unfold only because the women of Uruk complained to the goddesses about Gilgamesh’s despotism (I, 73-74). On one hand, these passages make it clear that exceptional physical attributes and opulent attire were certainly not the only requirements for good kingship. However, with its specific, persistent references to Gilgamesh’s physical appearance, the poem establishes an obvious connection …show more content…
In answering this question, it is interesting to note the similarities between the physical descriptions of the forlorn, wandering king and of the wild Enkidu at the beginning of the poem. Like Gilgamesh, Enkidu was also a direct creation of the gods: the poem states, “The goddess Aruru, she washed her hands, / took a pinch of clay, threw it down in the wild. / In the wild she created Enkidu, the hero, / offspring of silence, knit strong by Ninurta” (I, 101-104). However, while Enkidu possessed incredible physical strength and magnificence, his initial appearance was drastically different from that of the stately, finely-clothed Gilgamesh. The poem states that Enkidu resembled “the god of the animals” and “All his body is matted with hairhe bears long tresses like those of a