Gilgamesh

In the Near East, there is a lack of the long epic tales that are so common in the Greek world like the Odyssey and the Iliad and cohesive myths comprising the Twelve Labors of Herakles (Kirk 1970).  In reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, I found that the similarities between Gilgamesh and Herakles revele more underlying dissimilarities  between their characters.

Sidekicks
Both men had their “sidekicks”: Herakles and Iolaus, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu. However, their sidekicks are not similar. Iolaus is Herakles’ nephew. Enkidu and Gilgamesh were brought together by a priestess who seduced Enkidu, and they fought upon first seeing each other. They were more like opposites, or complimentary pieces.

Underworld
Both Herakles and Gilgamesh visited the Underworld, but for different reasons. Herakles went to Hades several times: once to rescue Theseus, once to rescue Alcestis, and once to bring back Cerberus as one of his twelve labors. Gilgamesh went to the Underworld because of his deceased friend Enkidu, who was destined to die young.

Death
Both Herakles and Gilgamesh found immortality, but Gilgamesh lost it.  Herakles became immortal at his death on the mountain-top pyre after his wife Deiniara poisoned him. Gilgamesh found a plant that could grant immortality, but he lost it to a serpent.

Serpents
Both Herakles and Gilgamesh have problems with serpents. Herakles strangled two in his crib and later killed the Hydra. Gilgamesh lost the plant of immortality of a serpent on his return from the Underworld.

Lion Fighting
Both Herakles and Gilgamesh fought a lion. However, in Herakles story, this was a great feat. He rid the world of the Nemean Lion who had been terrorizing the countryside. Gilgamesh fought several lions to get rid of them, but it is not emphasized in the actual text (lines 15, 22-26).  Gilgamesh did not fear for his life in this because he did not care any more. He was overcome by grief for the loss of Enkidu. Also associated with Herakles and Gilgamesh is the wearing of a lion’s skin. Herakles did wear the lion skin of the Nemean Lion, but Gilgamesh is another story. In translation, Gilgamesh is wearing a lion skin, but if you look again at the original word, it can also be translated as ‘dog skin,’ which would fit better with Gilgamesh’s grief over the loss of Enkidu in that culture (Burkert 1986).  (MAC)

Jackson, Danny P. (verse rendition), Biggs, Robert D. (introduction), and

Kapheim, Thom (illustrations)  (1992). The Epic of Gilgamesh. Wauconda,

Illinois; Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.