Gilgamesh a Hero

The story of Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk who is two thirds god and one third human, is a interesting and intriguing piece of literature. The story tells of Gilgameshs’ strength, bravery, intelligence, looks, and loyalty making him a true model hero. It says that Gilgamesh was (pg.13), “given a perfect body and endowed with beauty and courage and his beauty surpassed all others.” Throughout the story he is constantly going into battle and going on long adventures to find answers that will better his city. He is also respectful to those he meets along his journeys and asks God for strength during his battles. Gilgamesh is a religious character that posseses super human strength, bravery, selflessness, and intelligence making him a model hero.

Gilgameshs’ strength and tremendous skill as a warrior is clearly demonstrated all the way through this epic story. He takes his people into battle and fearlessly dominates everyone that he and his men go up against. His men know without a doubt that he will not let them down and that they will be able to conquer anyone; this is a true testament to his great leadership abilities. Gilgamesh shows his tremendous strength by fighting the beasts Humbaba and killing him. This was by no means an easy tasks to accomplish, it says that (pg. 18), “Humbaba whose name means Hugeness, a ferocious giant…when he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself.” Gilgamesh’s response to hearing about the mighty beasts was (pg. 18), “Only God lives forever…my days are numbered…I will go first although I am your lord, any you may safely call out, forward there is nothing to fear!” Sure enough Gilgamesh and his men are triumphant and return back to there town safely.

He gives another example of his great battle skills when he conquers the mighty bull that Anu releases on him. Yet, another terrific display of his strength and courage came on his journey to Utnapishtim when he scales the walls of the cliff up Mt. Mashu. Once he gets to the top the poison scorpion guard stops him and says (pg. 32), “No man born of woman has done what you have done, no mortal man has gone into the mountain.” The scorpion guard was so impressed by Gilgamesh’s strength and abilities required to climb up the cliff that he allowed him to pass through the gate and told him good luck; (pg. 32) “Go, Gilgamesh, I permit you to pass through the mountain of Mashu and through the high ranges; may your feet carry you safely home. The Gate of the mountain is open.” Yet, another example of his superior strength came when he rows the boat across the ocean. Because of his tremendous strength Gilgamesh is the one to row the boat. Even though he is the king, Gilgamesh is the one to row because he is capable of doing it much faster than the boatman. Gilgamesh is rowing so fast and hard that he begins to wear out the oars of the boat. All of these examples of his strength, leadership, and battle skills make him more than qualified to be classified as a model hero.

Besides Gilgamesh being a model man of battle and physical strength, he also possessed a great deal of wisdom which makes him an intelligent leader as well as a powerful one. If it wasn’t for his wisdom he would not have been as successful throughout his journeys and battles and thus would not have been as great of a leader as he was. Gilgamesh knew that if he was to go fight the beast Humbaba, one whom all were afraid of and respected by keeping their distance, and be successful in killing him that it would prove to all of his people that he is the strongest and most powerful leader alive and that he could take on anyone or anything. Gilgamesh knows this to be true because he tells his friend Enkidu before the battle that all the glory will be theirs if they are to defeat this mighty foe. Another example of Gilgamesh’s wisdom as an intelligent leader is how he looks to others that are older and more experienced for advice throughout the entire story. All the way through the story Gilgamesh looks up to his mother for counseling and advice as to what he is suppose to do in different areas of his life. A leader who is consistently seeking advice and wisdom from those who are older and more seasoned truly makes that person an intelligent leader, and that is exactly what Gilgamesh does.

Gilgamesh, being a religious man, knows that he could not have accomplished the things that he did on his own. Consistently he is giving thanks to other people or to the gods for his many feats. After Gilgamesh had slain the bull from heaven he was quick to honor and give thanks to his god Shamash. “They butchered and bled the bull and then cut out it’s heart to offer as a sacrifice before Shamash. Then Gilgamesh and Enkidu retreated from the altar itself and stood afar in deep respect as they did pray.” (pg. 27) And even before