The Epic of Gilgamesh narrates the story of the mighty king Gilgamesh and his military conquests. The aggrandizement of military authority fuels Gilgamesh’s pride and leads him to pursue nearly impossible quests. This story exemplifies the exaltation of military leadership within ancient societies throughout the world. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh represents many other characteristics of this time period such as patriarchy and the anxieties of the agro-urban revolution, this story definitively proves the exaltation of military leadership. Throughout this paper I will use textual evidence and interpretations from the story to explain and prove that military leadership played a great importance within this ancient society. Gilgamesh is the king of a city called Uruk and is described as “surpassing all other kings, heroic in stature, brave scion of Uruk, wild bull on a rampage! Going at the fore he was the vanguard, going at the rear, one his comrades could trust!” The Epic of Gilgamesh, I 30. Within the first tablet the author uses descriptions of a great military leader to describe Gilgamesh as the kings that surpasses all others, being two-thirds god and one-third human. This shows that people valued, preferred and were proud of these traits within a leader, much like the people in ancient societies viewed their military leaders. Although his people thought great of Gilgamesh due to his might, they had become tired of his tyranny as he used his strength to control the people of Uruk.
…show more content…
Due to Gilgamesh’s great superiority and intimidation, no man would stand up to him as the author states “he has no equal when his weapons are brandished” The Epic of Gilgamesh I, 80. As a result of the citizen’s helplessness, the people summon Aruru to create the equal of Gilgamesh that is mighty in strength to save the people of Uruk from the tyranny. The Goddess Aruru created the hero Enkidu in the wild that is described by a hunter as the mightiest in the land with the strength as mighty as a rock from the sky. As Enkidu hears of the tyranny caused by Gilgamesh, he asks Shamhat to take him to Uruk stating that “I will challenge him, for my strength is mighty, I will vaunt myself in Uruk, saying “I am the mightiest!” There I will change the way things are ordered” Epic of Gilgamesh, I 220. This further portrays the idea of military leadership and that the mightiest will rule the land. When Enkidu arrives in Uruk he blocks Gilgamesh’s way and challenges him in combat to become the king of the land. They seized each other and began fighting in the street, shaking walls and doors. After Gilgamesh defeats Enkidu in combat Enkidu tell Gilgamesh “High over warriors you are exalted, to be the king of the people Enlil made it your destiny!” Epic of gilgamesh, P 240. This statement shows the idea that the best warrior will be king. Enkidu and Gilgamesh embrace each other and become the closest of friends due to their similarities of strength, stature, and ability. Gilgamesh soon tells Enkidu that he wants to travel to the cedar forest to kill the demon Humbaba, to make the cedars safe and to further prove his military leadership. This can relate to ancient military leaders going to conquer neighboring civilizations with courage and pride to expand and improve their society. Enkidu knew Humbaba when he lived in the forest and warns Gilgamesh that he cannot be killed, saying that his breath is death. Engulfed in his pride and confidence, Gilgamesh discards Endiku’s warning showing no fear and belittles him for being afraid. Before going on the quest, Gilgamesh went to …show more content…
At the time these leaders were treated like royalty and were often praised for their accomplishments like Endiku and Gilgamesh were throughout the epic with a statue being build for Enkidu, the second most exalted military leader in the epic. With the support of evidence from the story of Gilgamesh and interpretations of ancient society, I explain how and why ancient societies exalted their military leaders the way they did. This impacted social, political and economic aspects of their time period due to the important role that military leaders have in such a society such as the saving of the kingdom and rewards they gain for their people as a result of their
Due to Gilgamesh’s great superiority and intimidation, no man would stand up to him as the author states “he has no equal when his weapons are brandished” The Epic of Gilgamesh I, 80. As a result of the citizen’s helplessness, the people summon Aruru to create the equal of Gilgamesh that is mighty in strength to save the people of Uruk from the tyranny. The Goddess Aruru created the hero Enkidu in the wild that is described by a hunter as the mightiest in the land with the strength as mighty as a rock from the sky. As Enkidu hears of the tyranny caused by Gilgamesh, he asks Shamhat to take him to Uruk stating that “I will challenge him, for my strength is mighty, I will vaunt myself in Uruk, saying “I am the mightiest!” There I will change the way things are ordered” Epic of Gilgamesh, I 220. This further portrays the idea of military leadership and that the mightiest will rule the land. When Enkidu arrives in Uruk he blocks Gilgamesh’s way and challenges him in combat to become the king of the land. They seized each other and began fighting in the street, shaking walls and doors. After Gilgamesh defeats Enkidu in combat Enkidu tell Gilgamesh “High over warriors you are exalted, to be the king of the people Enlil made it your destiny!” Epic of gilgamesh, P 240. This statement shows the idea that the best warrior will be king. Enkidu and Gilgamesh embrace each other and become the closest of friends due to their similarities of strength, stature, and ability. Gilgamesh soon tells Enkidu that he wants to travel to the cedar forest to kill the demon Humbaba, to make the cedars safe and to further prove his military leadership. This can relate to ancient military leaders going to conquer neighboring civilizations with courage and pride to expand and improve their society. Enkidu knew Humbaba when he lived in the forest and warns Gilgamesh that he cannot be killed, saying that his breath is death. Engulfed in his pride and confidence, Gilgamesh discards Endiku’s warning showing no fear and belittles him for being afraid. Before going on the quest, Gilgamesh went to …show more content…
At the time these leaders were treated like royalty and were often praised for their accomplishments like Endiku and Gilgamesh were throughout the epic with a statue being build for Enkidu, the second most exalted military leader in the epic. With the support of evidence from the story of Gilgamesh and interpretations of ancient society, I explain how and why ancient societies exalted their military leaders the way they did. This impacted social, political and economic aspects of their time period due to the important role that military leaders have in such a society such as the saving of the kingdom and rewards they gain for their people as a result of their