Gilgamesh returned to Uruk after defeating every man who could withstand his arms and ruled through strength and arrogance. The people condemned his taking of their sons and brides, then appealed to the gods, who called on Aruru to create a remedy.

Gilgamesh's Tyranny in Uruk

Gilgamesh went abroad and defeated every man who could withstand his arms before he returned to Uruk. He stormed through the city by day and by night, proud of his strength and royal power. The men of Uruk said that he sounded the alarm for his own amusement and that his arrogance had no bounds. No son remained with his father because Gilgamesh took them all. They said that a king was a shepherd to his people.

The people also condemned Gilgamesh’s treatment of women. They said that his lust left no virgin with her lover. He claimed the bride-right and sought sex with another man’s bride on her wedding night. The complaints named a warrior’s daughter and a noble’s wife. The women prayed to their goddesses and repeated their sorrows month after month.

The men of Uruk appealed to the gods for relief. The gods of heaven heard their complaints and went to Anu, the god of Uruk. They said that Gilgamesh had been made strong as a savage bull, that no one could withstand his arms, and that he took the sons and brides of the city. Anu heard their lamentation, and the gods called on Aruru, the goddess of creation.

Gilgamesh Returns to Uruk

Gilgamesh returned through the gate by which he had first gone out, with Urshanabi travelling beside him. They journeyed for twenty leagues, then stopped to eat. After another thirty leagues, they halted for the night. Gilgamesh saw a well of cool water, went down to it, and bathed.

A serpent lay deep in the pool. It sensed the sweetness of the flower Gilgamesh carried, rose from the water, and seized it. The serpent sloughed its skin and slipped back into the well. Gilgamesh sat down and wept. He took Urshanabi by the hand and asked whether all his toil and suffering had brought him anything. The creature of the earth now possessed the prize. The stream had already carried the flower twenty leagues towards the channels where he had found it. He had found a sign and then lost it.

Gilgamesh continued with Urshanabi and reached Uruk again. He then directed Urshanabi to climb the city wall, walk its length, survey its foundation, and study its brickwork. The wall was made from oven-baked bricks. It marked what Gilgamesh had achieved for the city. The journey ended with Gilgamesh directing attention to Uruk and its enduring wall as the lasting work of his life.

The Gods Condemn Enkidu

After killing the Bull of Heaven, Gilgamesh and Enkidu returned to Uruk. They cut out the Bull’s heart and gave it to Shamash. In the palace, they washed their hands in the Euphrates, embraced, and went away. The heroes gathered in the streets, and Gilgamesh called to the singing girls. He asked who was the most glorious of heroes and the most eminent among men. They answered that Gilgamesh was both. Feasting and celebration continued in the palace, and the two heroes later lay down to sleep.

During the night, Enkidu dreamed that Anu, Enlil, Ea, and Shamash sat in council. Anu said that Gilgamesh and Enkidu had killed the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba, guardian of the cedar forest. Because of these killings, one of the two had to die. Enlil declared that Enkidu would die, while Gilgamesh would live.

Shamash objected. He asked whether the two had not killed the Bull and Humbaba at his command, and questioned why Enkidu should die. Enlil grew angry and asked why the Sun God had marched with them as a comrade in arms. The gods nevertheless chose Enkidu as the victim.

Enkidu rose and told Gilgamesh the dream, calling him his brother. He understood that death would separate them. Lying before Gilgamesh, he shed streams of tears and lamented that no one would bring him back from the dead. He would sit with the shades, cross the threshold of death, and never again see his companion. The judgement followed the deeds that had brought the two heroes together. Enkidu had refused Humbaba’s plea for mercy, broken the taboo of the gate, and insulted Ishtar. Gilgamesh had shared in the killings, but the punishment fell first on Enkidu.