The Epic of Gilgamesh (Complete Audiobook, Unabridged)

Ancient Recitations・2 minutes read

Gilgamesh, a wise king with a perfect body, embarks on a journey with Enkidu, challenges Humbaba, kills the bull of Heaven, mourns Enkidu's death, and seeks immortality but ultimately fails, learning the inevitability of death and the importance of treasuring life.

Insights

Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, known for wisdom, embarked on a journey to establish his legacy and faced challenges, including the defeat of Humbaba and the bull of Heaven.
Enkidu, created to challenge Gilgamesh, became his equal but met a tragic end, leading to Gilgamesh's profound grief and reflection on mortality.
Ishtar's love turned to anger, leading to a series of events that shaped Gilgamesh's journey, including the killing of the bull of Heaven and subsequent conflicts.
Gilgamesh's quest for immortality led him to Utnapishtim, who shared the story of the flood, revealing the secrets of eternal life and the inevitability of mortality.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

Who challenged Gilgamesh in the story?
Enkidu
What did Gilgamesh seek from Utnapishtim?
Immortality
Who offered marriage to Gilgamesh?
Ishtar
What did Gilgamesh dream before facing Humbaba?
Positive omens
How did Enkidu's death impact Gilgamesh?
Deeply mourned

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Epic rivalry: Enadu challenges Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, was known for his wisdom, knowledge of the world, and ability to see mysteries and secret things.
He embarked on a journey, engraved his story on a stone, and was created by the gods with a perfect body, beauty, and courage.
Gilgamesh built walls and temples in Uruk, with the outer wall shining with copper brilliance and the inner wall made of burnt brick.
The people of Uruk lamented Gilgamesh's actions, where he took sons and virgins, neglecting his role as a shepherd to his people.
The gods created Enadu to challenge Gilgamesh, making him strong and wild, living among the beasts in the hills.
Enadu encountered a trapper who sought Gilgamesh's help to tame him using a harlot from the Temple of Love.
The harlot seduced Enadu for six days and seven nights, teaching him the ways of a woman and taming him.
Enadu, now tamed, desired to challenge Gilgamesh and went to Uruk with the harlot, where the people compared him to Gilgamesh.
Enadu and Gilgamesh were seen as equals, with Enadu being stronger and reared on the milk of wild beasts.
Enadu challenged Gilgamesh at the marriage house, where the people saw him as a match for Gilgamesh, leading to anticipation and excitement.

15:09

Gilgamesh's Quest: Defeating Humbaba for Kingship

Gilgamesh and Enadu grappled at the gate, breaking doorposts and walls in their struggle.
Enadu acknowledges Gilgamesh's strength, stating he is raised above all men and given kingship by the gods.
Enadu interprets Gilgamesh's dream, revealing his destiny of kingship but not everlasting life.
Gilgamesh decides to journey to the Cedar Forest to establish his name and fight the evil guardian, Humbaba.
Enadu warns Gilgamesh of Humbaba's terror and the dangers of the forest, discouraging the journey.
Gilgamesh, determined, seeks Shamash's blessing and protection for his journey to defeat Humbaba.
Shamash accepts Gilgamesh's plea, appointing strong allies and winds to aid him in his quest.
Gilgamesh and Enadu arm themselves with weapons forged by armorers for their journey.
The people of Arook express concern for Gilgamesh's safety and advise caution and vigilance on the journey.
Gilgamesh and Enadu set out on their journey, covering vast distances and facing challenges before reaching the gates of the Cedar Forest.

29:57

Gilgamesh and Enadu's Journey to Kill Humbaba

Gilgamesh and Enadu dream before their journey to kill Humbaba, seeking favorable dreams from the mountain.
Gilgamesh dreams of seizing a wild bull, which Enadu interprets as Shamash, the protector, guiding them in their peril.
Gilgamesh dreams of being rescued from under a falling mountain by a divine being, which Enadu interprets as a positive omen.
Gilgamesh and Enadu set out to kill Humbaba, traveling 20 leagues before breaking their fast and another 30 before stopping for the night.
Gilgamesh seeks another dream from the mountain for Enadu, who receives an ominous dream of a cold shower causing fear.
Humbaba confronts Gilgamesh and Enadu as they begin cutting down cedars, leading to a confrontation.
Shamash sends winds to aid Gilgamesh in defeating Humbaba, allowing them to overpower the guardian of the forest.
Enadu pleads with Gilgamesh to spare Humbaba, but they ultimately kill him, leading to Enadu's death.
Enil, enraged by their actions, curses Gilgamesh and Enadu for killing Humbaba, leading to repercussions.
Ishtar proposes marriage to Gilgamesh, offering him great wealth and power, but he rejects her, citing the fickle nature of her love and the misfortune of her past lovers.

44:52

Ishtar's Love Turns to Anger and Chaos

Ishtar loved various individuals, including Tamuz, the many-colored roller, the lion, the magnificent stallion, the shepherd of the flock, and Ishanu, the gardener of the father's palm grove.
Ishtar's love for these individuals turned to anger when they were no longer useful to her, leading to their downfall.
Ishtar sought the bull of Heaven from her father, Anu, threatening to bring chaos if he didn't comply.
Anu agreed to give Ishtar the bull of Heaven, leading to a series of events where the bull caused destruction and was eventually killed by Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu celebrated their victory over the bull, displaying its horns in the palace.
Ishtar cursed Gilgamesh for killing the bull of Heaven, leading to further conflict.
Enkidu fell ill and had ominous dreams, foretelling his death.
Enkidu's sickness worsened over several days, leading to his eventual death.
Enkidu cursed the harlot and the gate before his passing, expressing regret for his actions.
Enkidu's death deeply affected Gilgamesh, who mourned his friend's loss and reflected on the inevitability of death and the importance of treasuring life.

01:00:28

Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu, seeks eternal life

Gilgamesh mourns the loss of his friend Enkidu, lamenting the paths they walked together and the animals they hunted.
He grieves the loss of Enkidu, mentioning the rivers, mountains, and people who mourn for him.
Enkidu's death leaves Gilgamesh distraught, unable to hear his friend's heartbeat or see him open his eyes.
Gilgamesh, in his grief, rages like a lion, tearing his hair and robes, and vows to make all of Uruk mourn for Enkidu.
After mourning for seven days and nights, Gilgamesh gives up Enkidu's body to the earth.
Gilgamesh commissions a statue of Enkidu, made of lapis lazuli and gold, and sets out offerings of honey and butter.
Seeking everlasting life, Gilgamesh weeps bitterly and decides to find Utnapishtim, who has achieved immortality.
Gilgamesh embarks on a journey through the wilderness, praying for protection from the gods.
He encounters the man-scorpions guarding the mountain of Mashu, who allow him to pass through the darkness.
Gilgamesh reaches the Garden of the Gods, where he meets Siduri, the maker of wine, seeking directions to Utnapishtim for eternal life.

01:15:54

Gilgamesh Seeks Immortality from Utnapishtim

Gilgamesh, in despair over his brother's death, seeks immortality from Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim explains that Gilgamesh destroyed the boat's tackle, preventing his crossing the Waters of Death.
Gilgamesh, following Utnapishtim's instructions, cuts and prepares poles to rebuild the boat.
Gilgamesh and Utnapishtim sail for three days, equivalent to a month and 15 days' journey.
Utnapishtim instructs Gilgamesh to use multiple poles to cross the Waters of Death safely.
After 120 thrusts with the poles, Gilgamesh strips himself and uses his clothes as a sail to reach Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim, the far away, questions Gilgamesh's journey and appearance, leading to a discussion on immortality.
Utnapishtim reveals the story of the flood and how he was instructed to build a boat to save life.
Utnapishtim describes the building of the boat, loading it with living creatures, and surviving the flood.
The flood subsides, and Utnapishtim's boat lands on a mountain, where he releases birds to find land.

01:30:43

Gilgamesh's Journey to Immortality and Wisdom

The gods gathered around a sacrifice, except for Enlil who brought a flood upon the people.
Nerta, the god of wells and canals, advised Enlil to punish the sinner but not too harshly.
Enlil blessed Utnapishtim and his wife, sending them to live at the mouth of the rivers.
Utnapishtim challenged Gilgamesh to stay awake for 6 days and 7 nights, but Gilgamesh fell asleep.
Utnapishtim's wife baked loaves of bread to mark the days Gilgamesh slept.
Gilgamesh was cleansed and clothed by Utnapishtim's wife before departing.
Gilgamesh found a plant that restores youth underwater but lost it to a serpent.
Gilgamesh and Urabi journeyed back to Uruk, where Gilgamesh inspected the city's foundation.
Gilgamesh's destiny was fulfilled, and he was honored for his rule and wisdom after his death.

Try it yourself — It’s free.