,! ,babylonian ,/ory ( ! ,deluge z ,told
 by ,assyrian ,tablets f ,n9eveh4  ,by  
,e4 ,a4 ,wallis ,budge4   ,! ,discov]y (
 ! ,tablets at ,n9eveh by ,lay>d1       
,rassam & ,smi?4  ,9 #ahde-dg & aga9 9  
#ahdi-ea ,mr4 7lat] ,sir7 ,a4 ,h4 ,lay>d
 c>ri$ out a s]ies ( excavations among !
 ru9s ( ! anci5t city ( ,n9eveh1 t great
 city1 :]e9 are m ?an sixte5 ?\s& p]sons
 t _c disc]n betwe5 _! "r h& & _! left2 
& also mu* cattle 7,jonah iv1 ,,ii74    
,its ru9s lie on ! left or ea/ bank ( ! 
,tigris1 exactly opposite ! t[n (       
,al-,mawsil1 or ,msul1 :i* 0 f\nd$ by ! 
,sassanians & m>ks ! site ( ,we/]n      
,n9eveh4 ,at fir/ ,lay>d ?\ght t ^! ru9s
 7 n ^? ( ,n9eveh1 :i* he plac$ at      
,nimrd1 ab\t #bj miles d[n/ream1 b ( "o 
( ! o!r cities t 7 build$ by ,as%ur 7see
 ,g54 x1 #aa1 #ab74 ,?anks1 h[ev]1 to   
,*ri/ian1 ,roman & ,muhammadan          
tradition1 !re is no room = d\bt ab\t x1
 & ! site ( ,n9eveh has always be5 kn[n4
 ,! =tress :i* ! ,arabs built !re 9 !   
sev5? c5tury 0 kn[n z ,kal'at-,nnaw1    

i4e41 ,n9eveh ,ca/le1 = _m c5turies1 &  
all ! ,arab geograph]s agree 9 say+ t   
tile m\nds opposite ,msul conta9 ! ru9s 
( ! palaces & walls ( ,n9eveh4 ,& few ( 
!m fail to m5tion t close by !m is ,tall
 ,nabi ,ynis1 i4e41 ! ,hill f :i* !     
,prophet ,jonah prea*$ rep5tance to !   
inhabitants ( ,n9eveh1 t exce$+ great   
city ( ?ree days' j\rney 7,jonah iii1   
#c74 ,local tradition also decl>es t !  
prophet 0 buri$ 9 ! ,hill1 & 8 suppos$  
tomb is %[n !re to ?is day4   ,! ,walls 
& ,palaces ( ,n9eveh4  ,! situation ( ! 
ru9s ( ! palaces ( ,n9eveh is well %[n  
by ! accompany+ reproduction ( ! plan ( 
! city made by ,comm&] ,felix ,jones1   
,i4,n4 ,! rema9s ( ! old] palaces built 
by ,s>gon ,,ii 7,b4,c4 #gba-gje71       
,s5na*]ib 7,b4,c4 #gje-fha71 &          
,es>haddon 7,b4,c4 #fha-ffh7 lie "u !   
hill call$ ,nabi ,ynis1 & ^? ( ! palaces
 & o!r build+s ( ,a%ur-bani-pal 7,b4,c4 
#fha-fbf7 "u ! m\nd :i* is kn[n locally 
z ,tall al-',arm%yah1 i4e41 ,! ,hill (  
',arm%1 & ,kuynjik4 ,! latt] "n is said 

to be d]iv$ f two ,turki% words mean+ _m
 %eep1 9 allusion to ! l>ge flocks (    
%eep t f9d _! pa/ure on & ab\t ! m\nd 9 
! e>ly spr+4 ,^! two great m\nds lie    
close to ! rema9s ( ! great we/ wall (  
,n9eveh1 :i* 9 ! "t ( ! la/ ,assyrian   
,empire 0 wa%$ by ! wat]s ( ! riv]      
,tigris4 ,at "s unkn[n p]iod ! c\rse ( !
 riv] *ang$1 & x is n[ m ?an a mile     
di/ant f ! city wall4 ,! riv] ,khausur1 
or ,khos]1 divides ! area ( ,n9eveh into
 two p>ts1 & pass+ close to ! s\!rn end 
( ,kuynjik empties itself into !        
,tigris4 ,! ru9s ( ! wails ( ,n9eveh %[ 
t ! ea/ wall 0 #af1jjj feet long1 ! nor?
 wall #g1jjj feet long1 ! we/ wall      
#ac1fjj feet1 & ! s\? wall #c1jjj feet2 
its circuit 0 ab\t #ac1bjj y>ds or #g   
#a_/b miles4   ,discov]y ( ! ,libr>y ( !
 ,temple ( ,nebo at ,n9eveh4  ,9 ! spr+ 
( #aheb ,lay>d1 assi/$ by ,h4 ,rassam1  
cont9u$ ! excavation ( ! ,s\? ,we/      
,palace at ,kuynjik4 ,9 "o "p ( ! build+
 he f\nd two small *amb]s1 op5+ into ea*
 o!r1 :i* he call$ ! *amb] ( records1 or

 ! h\se ( ! rolls4 ,he gave !m ?is "n   
because to ! height ( a foot or m f !   
floor !y 7 entirely fill$ ) inscrib$    
bak$ clay tablets & fragm5ts ( tablets4 
,"s tablets 7 complete1 b by f> ! l>g]  
numb] ( !m _h be5 brok5 up into _m      
fragm5ts1 probably by ! fall+ 9 ( ! ro( 
& upp] p>ts ( ! walls ( ! build+s :5 !  
city 0 pillag$ & set on fire by ! ,m$es 
& ,babylonians4 ,! tablets t 7 kept 9 ^!
 *amb]s numb]$ _m ?\s&s4 ,besides ^? t 7
 f\nd 9 !m by ,lay>d1 l>ge numb]s h be5 
dug out all along ! corridor :i* pass$ !
 *amb]s & l$ to ! riv]1 & a consid]able 
numb] 7 kick$ on to ! riv] front by !   
feet ( ! t]rifi$ fugitives f ! palace :5
 x 0 set on fire4 ,! tablets f\nd by    
,lay>d 7 ( diff]5t sizes2 ! l>ge/ 7     
rectangul>1 flat on "o side & convex on 
! o!r1 & measur$ ab\t #i ins4 by #f     
#a_/b ins41 & ! smalle/ 7 ab\t an in*   
squ>e4 ,! importance ( ?is f9d 0 n      
suffici5tly recogniz$ at ! "t1 = !      
tablets1 :i* 7 ?\ght to be decorat$     
pott]y1 7 ?r[n into baskets & s5t d[n ! 

riv] loose on rafts to ,basrah1 :5ce !y 
7 despat*$ to ,engl& on a ,briti% man o'
 w>4 ,dur+ _! transport f ,n9eveh to    
,engl& !y suff]$ m damage f want ( pack+
 ?an !y _h suff]$ f ! wra? ( ! ,m$es4   
,among ! complete tablets t 7 f\nd 9 !  
two *amb]s sev]al _h colophons inscrib$ 
or scrat*$ ^u !m1 & :5 ^! 7 deciph]$ by 
,rawl9son1 ,h9cks & ,opp]t a few ye>s   
lat]1 x became evid5t t !y _h =m$ "p ( !
 libr>y ( ! ,temple ( ,nebo at ,n9eveh4 
,nebo & ,8 ,libr>y at ,n9eveh4  ,no?+ is
 kn[n ( ! e>ly hi/ory ( ! ,libr>y #a ( !
 ,temple ( ,nebo at ,n9eveh4 ,!re is    
little d\bt t x 0 9 exi/5ce 9 ! reign ( 
,s>gon ,,ii1 & x 0 probably f\nd$ at !  
in/ance ( ! prie/s ( ,nebo :o 7 settl$  
at ,nimrd 7! ,calah ( ,g54 ,x1 #aa71    
ab\t #bj miles d[n/ream ( ,n9eveh4      
,au?orities diff] 9 _! e/imate ( !      
attributes t 7 assign$ to ,nebo 7 ,nabu7
 9 ,pre-,babylonian times1 & _c decide  
:e!r he 0 a wat]-god1 or a fire-god1 or 
a corn-god1 b he 0 und\bt$ly associat$ )
 ,m>duk1 ei!r z 8 son or z a fell[-god4 

,x is c]ta9 t z e>ly z ,b4,c4 #bjjj he 0
 reg>d$ z "o ( ! ,great ,gods (         
,babylonia1 & ab\t #a1bjj ye>s lat] 8   
cult 0 g5]al 9 ,assyria4 ,he _h a temple
 at ,nimrd 9 ! n9? c5tury ,b4,c41 & ,k+ 
,adad-,nir>i 7,b4,c4 #haa-ghc7 set up   
six /atues 9 x to ! hon\r ( ! god2 two (
 ^! /atues are n[ 9 ! ,briti% ,museum4  
,"u ! la/ ,assyrian ,empire he 0 believ$
 to possess ! wisdom ( all ! gods1 & to 
be ! ,all-wise & ,all-kn[+4 ,he 0 !     
inv5tor ( all ! arts & sci5ces1 & !     
s\rce ( inspiration 9 wise & le>n$ m51 &
 he 0 ! div9e scribe & pa/ ma/] ( all ! 
my/]ies connect$ ) lit]ature & ! art (  
writ+ 71 duppu %>rute74 ,a%ur-bani-pal  
addresses him z ,nebo1 ! b5efic5t son1 !
 director ( ! ho/s ( heav5 & ( e>?1     
hold] ( ! tablet ( k1 be>] ( ! writ+-re$
 ( de/9y1 l5g!n] ( days1 vivifi] ( !    
dead1 /abli%] ( light = ! m5 :o are     
tr\bl$ 7see tablet ,r4,m4 #acb7 ,9 !    
reign ( ,s>gon ,,ii ! temple libr>y (   
,nebo 0 probably h\s$ 9 "s build+ at or 
ne> ,nabi ,ynis1 or1 z ,george ,smi?    

?\ght1 ne> ,kuynjik1 or at ,kuynjik     
itself4 ,z ,lay>d f\nd ! rema9s (       
,nebo's ,libr>y 9 ! ,s\? ,we/ ,palace1 x
 is probable t ,a%ur-bani-pal built a   
new temple to ,nebo !re & _h ! libr>y   
transf]r$ to x4 ,nebo's temple at       
,n9eveh bore ! same "n z 8 v anci5t     
temple at ,borsippa 7! mod]n            
,birs-i-,nimrd71 viz41 ,e-,zida4        
,discov]y ( ! ,palace ,libr>y (         
,a%ur-bani-pal4  ,9 ! spr+ ( #aheb      
,lay>d 0 oblig$ to close 8 excavations =
 want ( funds1 & he return$ to ,engl& ) 
,rassam1 leav+ all ! nor!rn half ( !    
great m\nd ( ,kuynjik unexcavat$4 ,he   
resign$ 8 position z ,director (        
,excavations to ! ,tru/ees ( ! ,briti%  
,museum1 & ,colonel 7lat] ,sir7 ,h4 ,c4 
,rawl9son1 ,consul-,g5]al ( ,baghdd1    
und]took to direct any fur!r excavations
 t might be possible to c>ry out lat]   
on4 ,dur+ ! summ] ! ,tru/ees receiv$ a  
fur!r grant f ,p>liam5t = excavations 9 
,assyria1 & !y dispat*$ ,rassam to f9i% 
! exploration ( ,kuynjik1 kn[+ t ! lease

 ( ! m\nd ( ,kuynjik = excavation       
purposes :i* he _h obta9$ f its own] _h 
sev]al ye>s to run4 ,:5 ,rassam arriv$  
at ,msul 9 #ahec1 & 0 collect+ 8 m5 =   
"w1 he discov]$ t ,rawl9son1 :o knew    
no?+ ab\t ! lease ( ! m\nd :i* ,rassam  
held1 _h giv5 ! ,fr5* ,consul1 ,m4      
,place1 p]mission to excavate ! nor!rn  
half ( ! m\nd1 i4e41 t "p ( x :i* he 0  
mo/ anxi\s to excavate = ! ,briti%      
,museum4 ,he prote/$1 b 9 va91 &1 f9d+ t
 ,m4 ,place int5d$ to hold ,rawl9son to 
8 ^w1 devot$ himself to cle>+ out "p ( !
 ,s\? ,we/ ,palace :i* ,lay>d _h attack$
 9 #aheb4 ,mean:ile ,m4 ,place 0 busily 
occupi$ ) ! ,fr5* excavations at        
,khorsabad1 a m\nd :i* conta9$ ! ru9s ( 
! great palace ( ,s>gon ,,ii1 & _h no "t
 to op5 up excavations at ,kuynjik4 ,9  
?is way a ye> pass$1 & z ,m4 ,place made
 no sign t he 0 go+ to excavate at      
,kuynjik & ,rassam's "t = return+ to    
,engl& 0 draw+ ne>1 ! own] ( ! m\nd1 :o 
0 anxi\s to get ! excavations f9i%$ s t 
he might aga9 graze 8 flocks on ! m\nd1 

urg$ ,rassam to get to "w 9 spite (     
,rawl9son's agreem5t ) ,m4 ,place4 ,he &
 ,rassam made arrangem5ts to excavate ! 
nor!rn "p ( ! m\nd cl&e/9ely & by night1
 & on #bj? ,decemb]1 #ahec1 ! "w began4 
,on ! fir/ night no?+ ( importance 0    
f\nd2 on ! second night ! m5 uncov]$ a  
portion ( a l>ge bas-relief2 & on ! ?ird
 night a huge mass ( e>? collaps$       
reveal+ a v f9e bas-relief1 sculptur$ ) 
a sc5e repres5t+ ,a%ur-bani-pal /&+ 9 8 
*>iot4 ,! news ( ! discov]y 0 quickly   
c>ri$ to all p>ts ( ! neighb\rhood1 & z 
x 0 impossible to keep ! digg+s secret  
any long]1 ! "w 0 cont9u$ op5ly & by    
day4 ,! la/-m5tion$ bas-relief 0 "o ( ! 
s]ies t l9$ ! *amb]1 :i* 0 #ej feet long
 & #ae feet wide1 & illu/rat$ a royal   
lion hunt4 #b ,?is s]ies1 t is to say1  
all ( x t ! fire :i* de/roy$ ! palace _h
 sp>$1 is n[ 9 ! ,briti% ,museum 7see ! 
,gall]y ( ! ,assyrian ,saloon74  ,:il/ !
 workm5 7 cle>+ out ! ,*amb] ( ! ,lion  
,hunt !y came across sev]al heaps (     
inscrib$ bak$ clay tablets ( all %apes &

 sizes1 :i* resembl$ 9 g5]al appe>ance !
 tablets t ,lay>d _h f\nd 9 ! ,s\? ,we/ 
,palace ! ye> be=e4 ,!re 7 no rema9s )  
!m1 or ne> !m1 t sugge/$ !y _h be5      
arrang$ sy/ematically & /or$ 9 ! ,*amb] 
( ! ,lion ,hunt1 & x seems z if !y _h   
be5 br\ght !re f ano!r place & ?r[n d[n 
ha/ily1 = ne>ly all ( !m 7 brok5 into   
small pieces4 ,z "s ( !m bore traces (  
hav+ be5 expos$ to great heat !y mu/ h  
be5 9 t *amb] dur+ ! burn+ ( ! palace4  
,:5 ! tablets 7 br\ght to ,engl& & 7    
exam9$ by ,rawl9son1 x 0 f\nd f !       
in=mation suppli$ by ! colophons t !y   
=m$ a "p ( ! great ,private ,libr>y (   
,a%ur-bani-pal1 :i* t k+ kept 9 8       
palace4 ,! tablets f\nd by ,lay>d 9     
#aheb & by ,rassam 9 #ahec =m ! unique &
 magnific5t collection ( cunei=m tablets
 9 ! ,briti% ,museum1 :i* is n[ commonly
 kn[n z ! ,kuynjik ,collection4 ,!      
approximate numb] ( ! inscrib$ bak$ clay
 tablets & fragm5ts t h come f ,kuynjik 
& are n[ 9 ! ,briti% ,museum is #be1jgc4
 ,x is impossible to ov]-e/imate _!     

importance & value f religi\s1 hi/orical
 & lit]>y po9ts ( view2 besides ?is1 !y 
h suppli$ ! mat]ial = ! deciph]m5t (    
cunei=m inscriptions 9 ! ,assyrian1     
,babylonian & ,sum]ian languages1 & =m !
 f\ndation ( ! sci5ce ( ,assyriology :i*
 has be5 built up ) su* conspicu\s      
success dur+ ! la/ #gj ye>s4            
,a%ur-bani-pal1 ,book-,collector &      
,patron ( ,le>n+4  ,a%ur-bani-pal 7!    
,asnapp] ( ,ezra iv1 #aj7 succe$$ 8 fa!r
 ,es>haddon ,b4,c4 #ffh1 & at a         
comp>atively e>ly p]iod ( 8 reign he    
seems to h devot$ himself to ! /udy ( ! 
hi/ory ( 8 c\ntry1 & to ! mak+ ( a great
 ,private ,libr>y4 ,! tablets t h come  
d[n to u prove n only t he 0 z great a  
b5efactor ( ! ,libr>y ( ! ,temple (     
,nebo z any ( 8 pr$ecessors1 b t he 0   
himself an educat$ man1 a lov] ( le>n+1 
& a patron ( ! lit]>y folk ( 8 day4 ,9 !
 introduction to 8 ,annals z f\nd       
inscrib$ on 8 great t5-sid$ cyl9d] 9 !  
,briti% ,museum he tells u h[ he took up
 8 abode 9 ! *amb]s ( ! palace f :i*    

,s5na*]ib & ,es>haddon _h rul$ !        
,assyrian ,empire1 & 9 describ+ 8 own   
education he says3  ,i1 ,a%ur-bani-pal1 
)9 x 7i4e41 ! palace7 und]/ood ! wisdom 
( ,nebo1 all ! art ( writ+ ( e          
craftsman1 ( e k9d1 ,i made myself ma/] 
( !m all 7i4e41 ( ! v>i\s k9ds ( writ+74
 #c  ,^! words sugge/ t ,a%ur-bani-pal  
c\ld n only read cunei=m texts1 b c\ld  
write l a skill$ scribe1 & t he also    
und]/ood all ! details connect$ ) !     
craft ( mak+ & bak+ tablets4 ,hav+      
det]m9$ to =m a ,libr>y 9 8 palace he   
set to "w 9 a sy/ematic mann] to collect
 lit]>y works4 ,he s5t scribes to anci5t
 seats ( le>n+1 e4g41 ,a%ur1 ,babylon1  
,cu?ah1 ,nippur1 ,akkad1 ,ere*1 to make 
copies ( ! anci5t works t 7 pres]v$ !re1
 & :5 ! copies came to ,n9eveh he ei!r  
made transcripts ( !m himself1 or caus$ 
8 scribes to d s = ! ,palace ,libr>y4 ,9
 any case he collat$ ! texts himself &  
revis$ !m be=e plac+ !m 9 8 ,libr>y4 ,! 
appe>ance ( ! tablets f 8 ,libr>y       
sugge/s t he e/abli%$ a factory 9 :i* ! 

clay 0 clean$ & knead$ & made into      
homog5e\s1 well-%ap$ tablets1 & a kiln 9
 :i* !y 7 bak$1 aft] !y _h be5 inscrib$4
 ,! uni=mity ( ! script ^u !m is v      
rem>kable1 & texts ) mi/akes 9 !m are   
r>ely f\nd4 ,h[ ! tablets 7 arrang$ 9 ! 
,libr>y is n kn[n1 b c]ta9ly gr\ps 7    
catalogu$1 & "s tablets 7 labell$4 #d   
,gr\ps ( tablets 7 arrang$ 9 numb]$     
s]ies1 ) cat* l9es1 ! fir/ tablet ( !   
s]ies giv+ ! fir/ l9e ( ! second tablet1
 ! second tablet giv+ ! fir/ l9e ( !    
?ird tablet1 & s on4  ,a%ur-bani-pal 0  
greatly int]e/$ 9 ! lit]ature ( !       
,sum]ians1 i4e41 ! non-,semitic p :o    
occupi$ ,l[] ,babylonia ab\t ,b4,c4     
#cejj & lat]4 ,he & 8 scribes made      
bil+ual li/s ( signs & words & objects (
 all classes & k9ds1 all ( :i* are (    
priceless value to ! mod]n /ud5t ( !    
,sum]ian & ,assyrian languages4 ,annex$ 
is an extract f a ,li/ ( ,signs )       
,sum]ian & ,assyrian values4 ,! signs ( 
:i* ! mean+s are giv5 are 9 ! middle    
column2 ! ,sum]ian values are giv5 9 !  

column to ! left1 & _! mean+s 9         
,assyrian 9 ! column to ! "r4 ,to _m ( 8
 copies ( ,sum]ian hymns1 incantations1 
magical =mulas1 etc41 ,a%ur-bani-pal    
caus$ int]l9e> translations to be add$ 9
 ,assyrian1 & ( su* bil+ual docum5ts !  
foll[+ extract f a text relat+ to !     
,sev5 ,evil ,spirits w s]ve z a specim54
 ,! #a/1 #crd1 #e?1 etc41 l9es are      
writt5 9 ,sum]ian1 & ! #bnd1 #d?1 #f?1  
etc41 l9es 9 ,assyrian4  ,! tablets t   
belong$ to ,a%ur-bani-pal's private     
,libr>y & ^? ( ! ,temple ( ,nebo c be   
di/+ui%$ by ! colophons1 :5 ^! exi/4    
,two =ms ( colophon = ea* class ( ! two 
great collections ( tablets are kn[n1 "o
 %ort & "o long4 ,! %ort colophon on !  
tablets ( ! ,k+'s ,libr>y               
reads3--,palace ( ,a%ur-bani-pal1 k+ (  
ho/s1 k+ ( ! c\ntry ( ,assyria & t on ! 
tablets ( ! ,libr>y ( ,nebo             
reads3--,c\ntry ( 8 ,a%ur-bani-pal1 k+ (
 ho/s1 k+ ( ! c\ntry ( ,assyria4 ,see on
 ! ,tablet ( ,a/rological ,om5s1 p4 #bb4
 ,! long] colophons are ( consid]able   

int]e/ & r5d]+s ( two typical examples  
are "h app5d$3--   ,i4 ,colophon ( !    
,tablets ( ! ,palace ,libr>y4 7,k4      
#dhgj47  #a4 ,palace ( ,a%ur-bani-pal1  
k+ ( ho/s1 k+ ( ! c\ntry    ( ,assyria1 
#b4 :o tru/e? 9 ! god ,a%ur & ! goddess 
,blit1 #c4 on :om ! god ,nebo 7,nab7 & !
 goddess ,tasmetu #d4 h be/[$ all-he>+  
e>s #e4 & 8 possession ( eyes t are     
cle>sight$1 #f4 & ! f9e/ results ( ! art
 ( writ+ #g4 :i*1 among ! k+s :o h gone 
be=e1 #h4 no "o ev] acquir$ t craft4 #i4
 ,! wisdom ( ,nebo z express$ 9 writ+1 (
 e k9d1 #aj4 on tablets ,i wrote1       
collat$ & revis$1 #aa4 & = exam9ation & 
read+ #ab4 9 my palace ,i plac$--,i #ac4
 ! pr9ce :o kn[e? ! light ( ! k+ ( !    
gods1 ,a%ur4 #ad4 ,:osoev] %all c>ry !m 
(f1 or 8 "n side by side     ) m9e #ae4 
%all write may ,a%ur & ,blit wra?fully  
#af4 sweep away1 & 8 "n & 8 se$ de/roy 9
 ! l&4   #b4 ,colophon ( ! ,tablets ( ! 
,libr>y ( ,nebo4 7,,rm4 #acb47  #a4 ,to 
,nebo1 b5efic5t son1 director ( ! ho/s (
 heav5 &    ( e>?1 #b4 hold] ( ! tablet 

( k1 he :o ha? grasp$ ! writ+    re$ (  
de/9ies1 #c4 l5g!n] ( days1 vivifi] ( ! 
dead1 /abli%] ( light =    ! m5 :o are  
p]plex$1 #d4 f ! great "l1 ! noble      
,a%ur-bani-pal1 ! "l1 !    approv$ ( !  
gods ,a%ur1 ,bl & ,nebo1 #e4 ! %eph]d1 !
 ma9ta9] ( ! holy places ( ! great gods1
    /abli%] ( _! rev5ues1 #f4 son (     
,es>haddon1 k+ ( ho/s1 k+ ( ,assyria1   
#g4 gr&son ( ,s5na*]ib1 k+ ( ho/s1 k+ ( 
,assyria1 #h4 = ! life ( 8 s\ls1 l5g? ( 
8 days1 & well-be+    ( 8 po/]ity1 #i4  
to make p]man5t ! f\ndation ( 8 royal   
?rone1 to he>    8 supplications1 #aj4  
to receive 8 petitions1 to deliv] into 8
 h&s ! rebelli\s4 #aa4 ,! wisdom ( ,ea1 
! preci\s prie/hood1 ! lead]%ip1 #ab4   
:at is compos$ = ! cont5tm5t ( ! he>t ( 
! great     gods1 #ac4 ,i wrote ^u      
tablets1 ,i collat$1 ,i revis$ #ad4     
lit]ally accord+ to all ! tablets ( !   
l&s ( ,a%ur     & ,akkad1 #ae4 & ,i     
plac$ 9 ! ,libr>y ( ,e-,zida1 ! temple (
 ,nebo my "l1     :i* is 9 ,n9eveh4 #af4
 ,o ,nebo1 "l ( ! ho/s ( heav5 & ( e>?1 

look ^u t     ,libr>y joyfully = ye>s   
7i4e41 = ev]74 #ag4 ,( ,a%ur-bani-pal1 !
 *ief1 ! wor%ipp] ( ?y div9ity1         
daily ! rew>d ( ! (f]+-- #ah4 8 life    
decree1 s t he may exalt ?y great       
godhead4   ,! tablets f bo? ,libr>ies :5
 unbrok5 v>y 9 size f #ae in*es by #h   
#e_/h in*es to #a in* by #g_/h in*1 & !y
 are usually ab\t #a in* ?ick4 ,9 %ape  
!y are rectangul>1 ! obv]se be+ flat &  
tile rev]se slightly convex4 ,contract  
tablets1 lett] tablets & case tablets   
are v mu* small]1 & resemble small      
pill[s 9 %ape4 ,! pr9cipal subjects     
dealt ) 9 ! tablets are hi/ory1         
annali/ic or summ>ies1 lett]s1          
despat*es1 reports1 oracles1 pray]s1    
contracts1 de$s ( sale ( l&1 produce1   
cattle1 slaves1 agreem5ts1 d[ries1 bonds
 = int]e/ 7) impressions ( seals1 &     
f+]nails1 or nail m>ks71 *ronography1   
*ronology1 ,canons ( ,eponyms1 a/rology 
7=eca/s1 om5s1 div9ations1 *>ms1 spells1
 incantations71 my?ology1 leg5ds1       
gramm>1 law1 geography1 etc4 #e         

,george ,smi?'s ,discov]y ( ! ,epic (   
,gilgami% & ! ,/ory ( ! ,deluge4  ,!    
mass ( tablets :i* _h be5 discov]$ by   
,lay>d & ,rassam at ,n9eveh came to !   
,briti% ,museum 9 #ahed-e1 & _!         
exam9ation by ,rawl9son & ,norris began 
v soon aft]4 ,mr4 ,b[l]1 a skilful      
draughtsman & copyi/ ( tablets1 :om     
,rawl9son employ$ 9 mak+ transf]s (     
copies ( cunei=m texts = publication by 
li?ography1 rejo9$ a consid]able numb] (
 fragm5ts ( bil+ual li/s1 syllab>ies1   
etc41 :i* 7 publi%$ 9 ! second volume ( 
! ,cunei=m ,inscriptions ( ,we/]n ,asia1
 9 #ahff4 ,9 t ye> ! ,tru/ees ( !       
,briti% ,museum employ$ ,george ,smi? to
 assi/ ,rawl9son 9 sort+1 classify+ &   
rejo9+ fragm5ts1 & a compreh5sive       
exam9ation ( ! collection by him began4 
,8 p]sonal int]e/ 9 ,assyriology 0 c5tr$
 ^u hi/orical texts1 especially ^? :i*  
?rew any light on ! ,bible ,n>rative4 ,b
 9 ! c\rse ( 8 se>* = /ories ( !        
campaigns ( ,s>gon ,,ii1 ,s5na*]ib1     
,es>haddon & ,a%ur-bani-pal1 he discov]$

 among o!r important docum5ts 7#a7 a    
s]ies ( portions ( tablets :i* give !   
adv5tures ( ,gilgami%1 an anci5t k+ (   
,ere*2 7#b7 ,an acc\nt ( ! ,deluge1 :i* 
is suppli$ by ! ,elev5? ,tablet ( !     
,leg5d ( ,gilgami% 79 m ?an "o v]sion72 
7#c7 ,a detail$ description ( !         
,creation2 7#d7 ! ,leg5d ( ! ,desc5t (  
,i%t> into ,hades 9 que/ ( ,tammuz4 ,!  
g5]al mean+ ( ! texts 0 q cle>1 b !re 7 
_m gaps 9 !m1 & x 0 n until ,decemb]1   
#ahgb1 t ,george ,smi? publi%$ 8        
description ( ! ,leg5d ( ,gilgami%1 & a 
translation ( ! ,*aldean ,acc\nt ( !    
,deluge4 ,! int]e/ :i* 8 pap] evok$ 0   
univ]sal1 & ! proprietors ( ! ,daily    
,telegraph advocat$ t ,smi? %\ld be at  
once dispat*$ to ,n9eveh to se>* = !    
miss+ fragm5ts ( tablets :i* w\ld fill  
up ! gaps 9 8 texts1 & g5]\sly (f]$ to  
contribute #a1jjj gu9eas t[>ds ! co/ ( !
 excavations4 ,! ,tru/ees accept$ ! (f] 
& gave six mon?s' leave ( abs5ce to     
,smi?1 :o left ,london 9 ,janu>y1 &     
arriv$ 9 ,msul 9 ,m>*1 #ahgc4 ,9 !      

foll[+ ,may he recov]$ f ,kuynjik a     
fragm5t t conta9$ ! great] portion (    
sev5te5 l9es ( inscription belong+ to ! 
fir/ column ( ! ,*aldean acc\nt ( !     
,deluge1 & fitt+ into ! only place :]e  
!re 0 a s]i\s blank 9 ! /ory4 #f ,dur+ !
 excavations :i* ,smi? c>ri$ out at     
,kuynjik 9 #ahgc & #ahgd he recov]$ _m  
fragm5ts ( tablets1 ! texts ( :i* enabl$
 him to complete 8 description ( !      
cont5ts ( ! ,twelve ,tablets ( ! ,leg5d 
( ,gilgami% :i* includ$ 8 translation ( 
! /ory ( ! ,deluge4 ,un=tunately ,smi?  
di$ ( hung] & sickness ne> ,aleppo 9    
#ahgf1 & he 0 unable to revise 8 e>ly   
"w1 & to supplem5t x ) ! in=mation :i*  
he _h acquir$ dur+ 8 late/ travels 9    
,assyria & ,babylonia4 ,?anks to !      
excavations :i* 7 c>ri$ on at ,kuynjik  
by ! ,tru/ees ( ! ,briti% ,museum aft] 8
 untimely dea?1 sev]al hundr$s ( tablets
 & fragm5ts h be5 recov]$1 & _m ( ^! h  
be5 rejo9$ to ! tablets ( ! old]        
collection4 ,by ! c>eful /udy &         
inve/igation ( ! old & new mat]ial      

,assyriologi/s h1 dur+ ! la/ =ty ye>s1  
be5 enabl$ to re/ore & complete _m      
passages 9 ! ,leg5ds ( ,gilgami% & !    
,flood4 ,x is n[ cle> t ! ,leg5d ( !    
,flood _h n orig9ally any connection ) !
 ,leg5d ( ,gilgami%1 & t x 0 introduc$  
into x by a late editor or r$actor ( !  
,leg5d1 probably 9 ord] to complete !   
numb] ( ! ,twelve ,tablets on :i* x 0   
writt5 9 ! "t ( ,a%ur-bani-pal4   ,!    
,leg5d ( ! ,deluge 9 ,babylonia4  ,9 !  
introduction to 8 pap] on ! ,*aldean    
,acc\nt ( ! ,deluge1 :i* ,smi? read 9   
,decemb]1 #ahgb1 & publi%$ 9 #ahgc1 he  
/at$ t ! ,assyrian text :i* he _h f\nd  
on ,a%ur-bani-pal's tablets 0 copi$ f an
 ar*etype at ,ere* 9 ,l[] ,babylonia4   
,?is ar*etype 01 he ?\ght1 ei!r writt5  
91 or translat$ into ,semitic           
,babylonian1 at a v e>ly p]iod1 & al?\gh
 he c\ld n assign a date to x1 he adduc$
 a numb] ( conv9c+ pro(s 9 support ( 8  
op9ion4 ,! language 9 :i* he assum$ !   
,leg5d to h be5 orig9ally compos$ 0 kn[n
 to him "u ! "n ( ,accadian1 or         

,akkadian1 b is n[ call$ ,sum]ian4      
,rec5t rese>* has %[n t 8 view on ?is   
po9t 0 correct on ! :ole4 ,b !re is     
satisfactory pro( available to %[ t     
v]sions or rec5sions ( ! ,leg5d ( !     
,deluge & ( ! ,epic ( ,gilgami% exi/$   
bo? 9 ,sum]ian & ,babylonian1 z e>ly z  
,b4,c4 #bjjj4 ,! discov]y has be5 made (
 a fragm5t ( a tablet ) a small portion 
( ! ,babylonian v]sion ( ! ,leg5d ( !   
,deluge inscrib$ ^u x1 & dat$ 9 a ye>   
:i* is ! equival5t ( ! #aa? ye> (       
,ammisaduga1 i4e4 ab\t ,b4,c4 #bjjj4 #g 
,& 9 ! ,museum at ,philadelphia #h is   
pres]v$ half ( a tablet :i* :5 :ole     
conta9$ a complete copy ( ! ,sum]ian    
v]sion ( ! ,leg5d1 & mu/ h be5 writt5   
ab\t ! same date4 ,! fragm5t ( ! tablet 
writt5 9 ! reign ( ,ammisaduga is (     
special importance because ! colophon   
%[s t ! tablet to :i* x belong$ 0 !     
second ( a s]ies1 & t ?is s]ies 0 n t ( 
! ,epic ( ,gilgami%1 & f ?is we le>n t 9
 ,b4,c4 #bjjj ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge did n
 =m ! ,x,ith ,tablet ( ! ,epic (        

,gilgami%1 z x did 9 ! reign (          
,a%ur-bani-pal1 or e>li]4 ,! ,sum]ian   
v]sion is equally important1 ?\gh f     
ano!r po9t ( view1 = ! cont5ts &        
position ( ! portion ( x t rema9s on !  
half ( ! tablet m5tion$ above make x    
c]ta9 t already at ?is e>ly p]iod !re 7 
sev]al v]sions ( ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge   
curr5t 9 ! ,sum]ian language4 ,! fact is
 t ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge 0 !n already s  
old 9 ,mesopotamia t ! scribes add$ to  
or abbreviat$ ! text at w1 & treat$ !   
incid5ts record$ 9 x accord+ to local or
 popul> ta/e1 tradition & prejudice4    
,!re seems to be no evid5ce t proves    
conclusively t ! ,sum]ian v]sion is old]
 ?an ! ,semitic1 or t ! latt] 0         
translat$ direct f ! =m] v]sion4 ,x is  
probable t bo? ! ,sum]ians & ! ,semites1
 ea* 9 _! own way1 attempt$ to          
commemorate an appall+ disa/] (         
unp>allel$ magnitude1 ! k ( :i*1 ?r\gh  
tradition1 0 common to bo? peoples4 ,x  
is1 at all ev5ts1 cle> t ! ,sum]ians    
reg>d$ ! ,deluge z an hi/oric ev5t1 :i* 

!y 71 practically1 able to date1 = "s ( 
_! tablets conta9 li/s ( k+s :o reign$  
be=e ! ,deluge1 ?\gh x mu/ be confess$ t
 ! l5g?s assign$ to _! reigns are       
incr$ible4  ,x is n too mu* to assume t 
! orig9al ev5t commemorat$ 9 ! ,leg5d ( 
! ,deluge 0 a s]i\s & prolong$          
inundation or flood 9 ,l[] ,babylonia1  
:i* 0 accompani$ by great loss ( life & 
de/ruction ( prop]ty4 ,! ,babylonian    
v]sions /ate t ?is inundation or flood 0
 caus$ by ra91 b passages 9 "s ( !m     
sugge/ t ! effects ( ! ra9/orm 7        
int5sifi$ by o!r physical happ5+s       
connect$ ) ! e>?1 ( a mo/ de/ructive "*4
 ,! ,hebrews also1 z we may see f !     
,bible1 _h alt]native views z to ! cause
 ( ! ,deluge4 ,accord+ to "o1 ra9 fell  
^u ! e>? = =ty days & =ty nights 7,g54  
vii1 #ab71 & accord+ to ! o!r ! ,deluge 
came because all ! f\nta9s ( ! great    
deep 7 brok5 up1 & ! flood-gates ( heav5
 7 op5$ 7,g54 vii1 #aa74 ,! latt] view  
sugge/s t ! ra9 flood 0 jo9$ by ! wat]s 
( ! sea4 ,lat] tradition1 bas$ p>tly on 

,babylonian & p>tly on ,hebrew s\rces1  
ass]ts 9 ! ,cave ( ,treasures #i t :5   
,noah _h ent]$ ! ,ark & ! door 0 %ut1 ! 
sluices ( heav5 7 op5$1 & ! deeps 7 r5t 
asund]1 & t ! ,ocean1 t great sea t     
surr\nde? ! :ole _w1 vomit$ its wat]s1 &
 ! sluices ( heav5 be+ op5$1 & ! deeps (
 ! e>? be+ r5t asund]1 ! /oreh\ses ( !  
w9ds 7 op5$1 & ! :irlw9ds broke loose1 &
 ! ,ocean ro>$ & p\r$ out its wat]s 9   
floods4 ,! ark 0 /e]$ ov] ! wat]s by an 
angel :o act$ z pilot1 & :5 t _h come to
 re/ on ! m\nta9s ( ,k>d 7,arm5ia7 ,god 
comm&$ ! wat]s & !y sep>at$ f ea* o!r4  
,! wat]s t _h be5 above asc5d$ to _!    
place above ! heav5s1 :5ce !y _h come2 &
 ! wat]s t _h come up f "u ! e>? return$
 to ! l[] deep2 & ! wat]s t 7 f ! ,ocean
 return$ into x 7,brit4 ,mus4 ,,ms4     
,ori5t4 ,no4 #be1hge1 fol4 #ag;b1 col4  
#a & fol4 #ah;a1 cols4 #a & #b74 ,_m    
au?orities seek+ to f9d a f\ndation (   
fact = ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge 9           
,mesopotamia h assum$ t ! ra9 flood 0   
accompani$ ei!r by an e>?quake or a     

tidal wave1 or by bo?4 ,!re is no d\bt t
 ! cities ( ,l[] ,babylonia 7 ne>] ! sea
 9 ! ,sum]ian ,p]iod ?an !y are at !    
pres5t "t1 & x is a g5]ally accept$ view
 t ! head ( ! ,p]sian ,gulf lay fur!r to
 ! nor? at t "t4 ,a cyclone c\pl$ ) a   
tidal wave is a suffici5t base = any ( !
 =ms ( ! ,leg5d n[ kn[n4  ,a comp>ison (
 ! cont5ts ( ! v>i\s ,sum]ian &         
,babylonian v]sions ( ! ,deluge t h come
 d[n to u %[s u t !y are incomplete4 ,& 
z none ( !m tells s connect$ & full a   
n>rative ( ! prehi/oric %ipbuild] z     
,b]osus1 a prie/ ( ,bl1 ! great god (   
,babylon1 x seems t ! ,mesopotamian     
scribes 7 cont5t to copy ! ,leg5d 9 an  
abbreviat$ =m4 ,b]osus1 x is true1 is n 
a v anci5t au?ority1 = he 0 n born until
 ! reign ( ,alex&] ! ,great1 b he 0 a   
le>n$ man & 0 well acqua9t$ ) !         
,babylonian language1 & ) ! anci5t      
lit]ature ( 8 c\ntry1 & he wrote a      
hi/ory ( ,babylonia1 "s fragm5ts ( :i* h
 be5 pres]v$ to u 9 ! works ( ,alex&]   
,polyhi/or1 ,eusebius1 & o!rs4 ,! foll[+

 is a v]sion ( ! fragm5t :i* describes !
 flood t took place 9 ! days (          
,xisu?rus1 ! t5? ,k+ ( ! ,*aldeans1 & is
 ( importance = comp>ison ) ! r5d]+ ( ! 
,leg5d ( ! ,deluge1 z f\nd on ! ,n9evite
 tablets1 :i* foll[s imm$iately aft]4   
,! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge ,accord+ to       
,b]osus4  ,aft] ! dea? ( ,ardates1 8 son
 ,xisu?rus reign$ eighte5 s>i4 ,9 8 "t  
happ5$ a great ,deluge2 ! hi/ory ( :i*  
is ?us describ$4 ,! ,deity1 ,cronus1    
appe>$ to him 9 a vision1 & w>n$ him t  
^u ! #ae? day ( ! mon? ,daesius !re w\ld
 be a flood1 by :i* mank9d w\ld be      
de/roy$4 ,he !re=e enjo9$ him to write a
 hi/ory ( ! beg9n+1 proc$ure &          
conclusion ( all ?+s2 & to bury x 9 !   
city ( ! ,sun at ,sipp>a2 & to build a  
vessel1 & take ) him into x 8 fri5ds &  
relations2 & to convey on bo>d ev]y?+   
necess>y to su/a9 life1 toge!r ) all !  
diff]5t animals1 bo? birds & quadrup$s1 
& tru/ himself fe>lessly to ! deep4     
,hav+ ask$ ! ,deity1 :i!r he 0 to sail8 
he 0 answ]$1 ',to ! ,gods'3 ^u :i* he   

(f]$ up a pray] = ! good ( mank9d4 ,he  
!n obey$ ! div9e admonition2 & built a  
vessel #e /adia 9 l5g?1 & #b 9 bread?4  
,into ?is he put ev]y?+ :i* he _h       
prep>$2 & la/ ( all convey$ into x 8    
wife1 8 *ildr51 & 8 fri5ds4 ,aft] !     
flood _h be5 ^u ! e>?1 & 0 9 "t abat$1  
,xisu?rus s5t out birds f ! vessel2 :i*1
 n f9d+ any food nor any place :]eupon  
!y might re/ _! feet1 return$ to him    
aga94 ,aft] an int]val ( "s days1 he s5t
 !m =? a second "t2 & !y n[ return$ ) _!
 feet t+$ ) mud4 ,he made a trial a ?ird
 "t ) ^! birds2 b !y return$ to him no  
m3 f :5ce he judg$ t ! surface ( ! e>?  
_h appe>$ above ! wat]s4 ,he !re=e made 
an op5+ 9 ! vessel1 & ^u look+ out f\nd 
t x 0 /r&$ ^u ! side ( "s m\nta92 ^u :i*
 he imm$iately quitt$ x ) 8 wife1 8     
daught]1 & ! pilot4 ,xisu?rus !n paid 8 
adoration to ! e>?1 &1 hav+ con/ruct$ an
 alt>1 (f]$ sacrifices to ! gods1 &1 )  
^? :o _h come out ( ! vessel ) him1     
disappe>$4 ,!y1 :o rema9$ )91 f9d+ t _! 
companions did n return1 quitt$ ! vessel

 ) _m lam5tations1 & call$ cont9ually on
 ! "n ( ,xisu?rus4 ,him !y saw no m2 b  
!y c\ld di/+ui% 8 voice 9 ! air1 & c\ld 
he> him admoni% !m to pay due reg>d to  
religion2 & likewise in=m$ !m t x 0 ^u  
acc\nt ( 8 piety t he 0 translat$ to    
live ) ! gods2 t 8 wife & daught]1 & !  
pilot1 _h obta9$ ! same hon\r4 ,to ?is  
he add$ t !y %\ld return to ,babylonia2 
&1 x 0 orda9$1 se>* = ! writ+s at       
,sipp>a1 :i* !y 7 to make kn[n to       
mank9d3 moreov] t ! place1 :]e9 !y !n 71
 0 ! l& ( ,arm5ia4 ,! re/ hav+ he>d ^!  
words1 (f]$ sacrifices to ! gods2 & tak+
 a circuit j\rney$ t[>ds ,babylonia4    
7,cory1 ,anci5t ,fragm5ts1 ,london1     
#ahcb1 p4 #bf;ff47    ,! ,babylonian    
,leg5d ( ! ,deluge z ,told to ! ,h]o    
,gilgami% by ,8 ,ance/or ,uta-,napi%tim1
 ,:o ,_h ,be5 ,made ,immortal by !      
,gods4  ,! =m ( ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge    
giv5 bel[ is t :i* is f\nd on ! ,elev5? 
( ! ,s]ies ( ,twelve ,tablets 9 !       
,libr>y ( ,nebo at ,n9eveh1 :i* describ$
 ! life & exploits ( ,gilgami% 771 an   

e>ly k+ ( ! city ( ,ere*4 ,z we h se5   
above1 ! ,leg5d ( ! ,deluge has 9       
reality no connection ) ! ,epic (       
,gilgami%1 b 0 introduc$ into x by !    
editors ( ! ,epic at a comp>atively late
 p]iod1 p]haps ev5 dur+ ! reign (       
,a%ur-bani-pal 7,b4,c4 #ffh-fbf74 ,a    
summ>y ( ! cont5ts ( ! o!r ,tablets ( ! 
,gilgami% ,s]ies is giv5 9 ! foll[+     
section ( ?is %ort monograph4 ,x is     
!re=e only necess>y to /ate "h t        
,gilgami%1 :o 0 horrifi$ & almo/ beside 
himself :5 8 bosom fri5d & companion    
,enkidu 7,eabni7 di$1 m$itat$ deeply h[ 
he c\ld escape dea? himself4 ,he knew t 
8 ance/or ,uta-,napi%tim _h become      
immortal1 !re=e he det]m9$ to set out = 
! place :]e ,uta-,napi%tim liv$ s t he  
might obta9 f him ! secret (            
immortality4 ,guid$ by a dream 9 :i* he 
saw ! direction ( ! place :]e           
,uta-,napi%tim liv$1 ,gilgami% set out =
 ! ,m\nta9 ( ! ,sunset1 &1 aft] great   
toil & _m difficulties1 came to ! %ore (
 a va/ sea4 ,"h he met ,ur-,%anabi1 !   

boatman ( ,uta-,napi%tim1 :o 0 p]suad$  
to c>ry him 9 8 boat ov] ! wat]s ( dea?1
 & at l5g? he l&$ on ! %ore ( ! c\ntry (
 ,uta-,napi%tim4 ,! immortal came d[n to
 ! %ore & ask$ ! newcom] ! object ( 8   
visit1 & ,gilgami% told him ( ! dea? ( 8
 great fri5d ,enkidu1 & ( 8 desire to   
escape f dea? & to f9d immortality4     
,uta-,napi%tim hav+ made to ,gilgami% "s
 rem>ks :i* seem to indicate t 9 8      
op9ion dea? 0 inevitable1  #a4 ,gilgami%
 #aj said unto ,uta-,napi%tim1 to       
,uta-,napi%tim ! remote3 #b4 ,i am look+
 at !e1 ,uta-,napi%tim4 #c4 ,?y p]son is
 n alt]$2 ev5 z am ,i s art ?\4 #d4     
,v]ily1 no?+ ab\t !e is *ang$2 ev5 z am 
,i s art ?\4 #e4 ,mov$ is my he>t to d  
battle1 #f4 ,b ?\ art at leisure & do/  
lie ^u ?y back4 #g4 ,h[ !n wa/ ?\ able  
to ent] ! company ( ! gods &    see     
life8  ,!reupon ,uta-,napi%tim relat$ to
 ,gilgami% ! ,/ory ( ! ,deluge1 & !     
,elev5? ,tablet cont9ues ?us3--  #h4    
,uta-,napi%tim said unto him1 to        
,gilgami%3 #i4 ,i w reveal unto !e1 ,o  

,gilgami%1 a hidd5 my/]y1 #aj4 ,& a     
secret matt] ( ! gods ,i w decl>e unto  
!e4 #aa4 ,%urippak1 #aa a city :i* ?\   
?yself kn[e/1 #ab4 ,on ! bank ( ! riv]  
,puratti 7,euphrates7 is situat$1 #ac4  
,t city 0 old & ! gods dwell+ )9 x--    
#ad4 ,_! he>ts induc$ ! great gods to   
make a w9d-/orm     7a-bu-bi71 #ab #ae4 
,_! fa!r ,anu1 #af4 ,_! c\nsellor1 !    
w>rior ,enlil1 #ag4 ,_! mess5g] ,en-urta
 & #ah4 ,_! pr9ce ,ennugi4 #ai4         
,n9-igi-azag1 ,ea1 0 ) !m 9 c\ncil &    
#bj4 report$ _! ^w to ! h\se ( re$s4    
,fir/ ,spee* ( ,ea to ,uta-,napi%tim :o 
is sleep+ 9 a re$ hut4  #ba4 ,o ,h\se ( 
re$s1 ,o ,h\se ( re$s6 ,o ,wall1 ,o     
,wall6 #bb4 ,o ,h\se ( re$s1 he>6 ,o    
,wall1 und]/&6 #bc4 ,o man ( ,%urippak1 
son ( ,ub>a-,tutu4 #bd4 ,?r[ d[n ! h\se1
 build a %ip1 #be4 ,=sake weal?1 seek   
aft] life1 #bf4 ,ab&on possessions1 save
 ?y life1 #bg4 ,c>ry gra9 ( e k9d into !
 %ip4 #bh4 ,! %ip :i* ?\ %alt build1    
#bi4 ,! dim5sions !re( %all be measur$1 
#cj4 ,! bread? & ! l5g? !re( %all be !  

same4 #ca4 444 ! ocean1 provide x ) a   
ro(4  ,uta-,napi%tim's answ] to ,ea4    
#cb4 ,i und]/ood & ,i said unto ,ea1 my 
"l3 #cc4 ,i compreh5d my "l1 t :i* ?\   
ha/ ord]$1 #cd4 ,i w reg>d x ) great    
rev]5ce1 & w p]=m x4 #ce4 ,b :at %all ,i
 say to ! t[n1 to ! multitude1 & to !   
eld]s8  ,second ,spee* ( ,ea4  #cf4 ,ea 
op5$ 8 m\? & spake #cg4 ,& said unto 8  
s]vant1 myself1 #ch4 444 ,?us %alt ?\   
say unto !m3 #ci4 ,ill-w ha? ! god      
,enlil =m$ aga9/ me1 #dj4 ,!re=e ,i c no
 long] dwell 9 y\r city1 #da4 ,& nev] m 
w ,i turn my c\nt5ance ^u ! soil (      
,enlil4 #db4 ,i w desc5d into ! ocean to
 dwell ) my "l ,ea4 #dc4 ,b ^u y he w   
ra9 ri*es3 #dd4 ,a cat* ( birds1 a cat* 
( fi% #de4 444 an abundant h>ve/1 #df4  
444 ! pr9ce 787 ( ! d>kness #dg4 444    
%all make a viol5t cyclone to fall ^u y4
  ,! ,build+ ( ! ,%ip4  #dh4 ,z soon z !
 dawn broke444  ,l9es #di-ed brok5 away4
  #ee4 ,! weak man 444 br\ght bitum51   
#ef4 ,! /rong man 444 br\ght :at 0 ne$$4
 #eg4 ,on ! fif? day ,i decid$ ^u its   

plan4 #eh4 ,accord+ to ! plan its walls 
7 #aj ,g> 7i4e4 #abj cubits7 high1 #ei4 
,& ! circuit ( ! ro( !re( 0 equally #aj 
,g>4 #fj4 ,i measur$ out ! hull !re( &  
m>k$ x out 787 #fa4 ,i cov]$ 787 x six  
times4 #fb4 ,its ext]ior ,i divid$ into 
sev51 #fc4 ,its int]ior ,i divid$ into  
n9e1 #fd4 ,wat] bolts ,i drove into !   
middle ( x4 #fe4 ,i provid$ a /e]+ pole1
 & fix$ :at 0 ne$ful = x1 #ff4 ,six s> (
 bitum5 ,i p\r$ ov] ! inside wall1 #fg4 
,?ree s> ( pit* ,i p\r$ into ! inside4  
#fh4 ,! m5 :o be> loads br\ght ?ree s> (
 oil1 #fi4 ,besides a s> ( oil :i* !    
(f]+ consum$1 #gj4 ,& two s> ( oil :i* !
 boatman hid4 #ga4 ,i slaught]$ ox5 = ! 
"wp1 #gb4 ,i slew %eep e day4 #gc4 ,be]1
 sesame w9e1 oil & w9e #gd4 ,i made ! p 
dr9k z if !y 7 wat] f ! riv]4 #ge4 ,i   
celebrat$ a fea/-day z if x _h be5 ,new 
,ye>'s ,day4 #gf4 ,i op5$ a box (       
o9tm5t1 ,i laid my h&s 9 ungu5t4 #gg4   
,be=e ! sunset ! %ip 0 f9i%$4 #gh4 ,s9ce
 444 0 difficult4 #gi4 ,! %ipbuild]s    
br\ght ! 444 ( ! %ip1 above & bel[1 #hj4

 444 two-?irds ( x4  ,! ,load+ ( ! ,%ip4
  #ha4 ,) ev]y?+ t ,i possess$ ,i load$ 
x 7i4e4 ! %ip74 #hb4 ,) ev]y?+ t ,i     
possess$ ( silv] ,i load$ x4 #hc4 ,)    
ev]y?+ t ,i possess$ ( gold ,i load$ x4 
#hd4 ,) all t ,i possess$ ( liv+ gra9 ,i
 load$ x4 #he4 ,i made to g up into !   
%ip all my family & k9sfolk1 #hf4 ,!    
cattle ( ! field1 ! bea/s ( ! field1 all
     h&icraftsm5 ,i made !m g up into x4
 #hg4 ,! god ,%ama% _h appo9t$ me a "t  
7say+7 #hh4 ,! ,p[] ( ,d>kness w at     
ev5tide make a ra9-flood to fall2 #hi4  
,!n ent] into ! %ip & %ut ?y door4 #ij4 
,! appo9t$ "t drew nigh2 #ia4 ,! ,p[] ( 
,d>kness made a ra9-flood to fall at    
ev5tide4 #ib4 ,i wat*$ ! com+ ( !       
approa*+ /orm1 #ic4 ,:5 ,i saw x t]ror  
possess$ me1 #id4 ,i w5t into ! %ip &   
%ut my door4 #ie4 ,to ! pilot ( ! %ip1  
,puzur-,bl 7or ,puzur-,amurri7 ! sailor 
#if4 ,i committ$ ! great h\se 7i4e4     
%ip71 toge!r ) !     cont5ts !re(4  ,!  
,abubu 7,cyclone7 & its effects         
,describ$4  #ig4 ,z soon z ! gleam (    

dawn %one 9 ! sky #ih4 ,a black cl\d f !
 f\ndation ( heav5 came up4 #ii4 ,inside
 x ! god ,adad 7,rammnu7 ?und]$1 #ajj4  
,! gods ,nab & ,%>ru 7i4e4 ,m>duk7 w5t  
be=e1 #aja4 ,m>*+ z mess5g]s ov] high l&
 & pla91 #ajb4 ,irragal 7,n]gal7 tore   
out ! po/ ( ! %ip1 #ajc4 ,en-urta       
7,n9ib7 w5t on1 he made ! /orm to       
desc5d4 #ajd4 ,! ,anunnaki #ac br&i%$ _!
 tor*es1 #aje4 ,) _! gl>e !y light$ up !
 l&4 #ajf4 ,! :irlw9d 7or1 cyclone7 (   
,adad swept up to heav54 #ajg4 ,e gleam 
( light 0 turn$ into d>kness4 #ajh4     
444444 ! l& 444444 z if 444444 _h laid x
 wa/e4 #aji4 ,a :ole day long ! flood   
desc5d$ 444 #aaj4 ,swiftly x m\nt$ up   
44444 ! wat] rea*$ to ! m\nta9s #aaa4 ,!
 wat] attack$ ! p l a battle4 #aab4     
,bro!r saw n bro!r4 #aac4 ,m5 c\ld n be 
kn[n 7or1 recogniz$7 9 heav54 #aad4 ,!  
gods 7 t]rifi$ at ! cyclone4 #aae4 ,!y  
betook !mselves to flight & w5t up into 
! heav5      ( ,anu4 #aaf4 ,! gods cr\*$
 l a dog & c[]$ by ! wall4 #aag4 ,!     
goddess ,i%t> cri$ out l a woman 9      

travail4 #aah4 ,! ,lady ( ! ,gods lam5t$
 ) a l\d voice say+3  ,i%t>'s ,lam5t4   
#aai4 ,v]ily ! =m] disp5sation is turn$ 
into mud1 #abj4 ,because ,i comm&$ evil 
among ! company ( ! gods4 #aba4 ,:5 ,i  
comm&$ evil among ! company ( ! gods1   
#abb4 ,i comm&$ battle = ! de/ruction ( 
my p4 #abc4 ,did ,i ( myself br+ =? my p
 #abd4 ,t !y might fill ! sea l little  
fi%es8  ,uta-,napi%tim's ,/ory cont9u$4 
#abe4 ,! gods ( ! ,anunnaki wail$ ) h]4 
#abf4 ,! gods b[$ !mselves1 & sat d[n1 &
 wept4 #abg4 ,_! lips 7 %ut tight 79    
di/ress7 444 #abh4 ,= six days & nights 
#abi4 ,! /orm rag$1 & ! cyclone ov]:elm$
 ! l&4  ,! ,abat+ ( ! ,/orm4  #acj4 ,:5 
! sev5? day approa*$ ! cyclone & ! rag+ 
flood ceas$3 #aca4 --n[ x _h f\ght l an 
army4 #acb4 ,! sea became quiet & w5t   
d[n1 & ! cyclone & !      ra9-/orm      
ceas$4 #acc4 ,i look$ ov] ! sea & a calm
 _h come1 #acd4 ,& all mank9d 7 turn$   
into mud1 #ace4 ,! l& _h be5 laid flat l
 a t]race4 #acf4 ,i op5$ ! air-hole & ! 
light fell ^u my face1 #acg4 ,i b[$     

myself1 ,i sat d[n1 ,i cri$1 #ach4 ,my  
te>s p\r$ d[n ov] my *eeks4 #aci4 ,i    
look$ ov] ! qu>t]s ( ! _w--op5 sea6     
#adj4 ,aft] twelve days an isl& appe>$4 
#ada4 ,! %ip took its c\rse to ! l& (   
,nisir4 #adb4 ,! m\nta9 ( ,nisir held ! 
%ip1 x let x n move4 #adc4 ,! fir/ day1 
! second day1 ! m\nta9 ( ,nisir held !  
%ip & let x n move4 #add4 ,! ?ird day1 !
 f\r? day1 ! m\nta9 ( ,nisir held !     
%ip & let x n move4 #ade4 ,! fif? day1 !
 six? day1 ! m\nta9 ( ,nisir held !     
%ip & let x n move4 #adf4 ,:5 ! sev5?   
day _h come #adg4 ,i br\ght out a dove &
 let h] g free4 #adh4 ,! dove flew away 
& !n came back2 #adi4 ,because %e _h no 
place to alight on %e came back4 #aej4  
,i br\ght out a swall[ & let h] g free4 
#aea4 ,! swall[ flew away & !n came     
back2 #aeb4 ,because %e _h no place to  
alight on %e came back4 #aec4 ,i br\ght 
out a rav5 & let h] g free4 #aed4 ,!    
rav5 flew away1 %e saw ! s9k+ wat]s4    
#aee4 ,%e ate1 %e peck$ 9 ! gr\nd1 %e   
croak$1 %e came n back4  ,uta-,napi%tim 

,leaves ! ,%ip4  #aef4 ,!n ,i br\ght out
 ev]y?+ to ! f\r w9ds & (f]$ up      a  
sacrifice2 #aeg4 ,i p\r$ out a libation 
on ! peak ( ! m\nta94 #aeh4 ,sev5 by    
sev5 ,i set out ! vessels1 #aei4 ,"u !m 
,i pil$ re$s1 c$>wood & myrtle 7874     
#afj4 ,! gods smelt ! sav\r1 #afa4 ,!   
gods smelt ! sweet sav\r4 #afb4 ,! gods 
ga!r$ toge!r l flies ov] him t          
sacrific$4  ,spee* ( ,i%t>1 ,lady ( !   
,gods4  #afc4 ,n[ :5 ! ,lady ( ! ,gods  
came nigh1 #afd4 ,%e lift$ up !         
priceless jewels :i* ,anu _h made       
accord+      to h] desire1 say+ #afe4 ,o
 ye gods "h pres5t1 z ,i %all nev] =get 
!      lapis-lazuli jewels ( my neck    
#aff4 ,s %all ,i ev] ?9k ab\t ^! days1 &
 %all      =get !m nev]more6 #afg4 ,let 
! gods come to ! (f]+1 #afh4 ,b let n   
,enlil come to ! (f]+1 #afi4 ,because he
 w\ld n accept c\nsel & made ! cyclone1 
#ag,o4 ,& deliv]$ my p ov] to           
de/ruction4  ,! ,ang] ( ,enlil 7,bl74   
#aga4 ,n[ :5 ,enlil came nigh #agb4 ,he 
saw ! %ip2 !n 0 ,enlil wro? #agc4 ,& he 

0 fill$ ) ang] aga9/ ! gods1 ! ,igigi   
say+3      #ad  #agd4 ,:at k9d ( a be+  
ha? escap$ ) 8 life8 #age4 ,he %all n   
rema9 alive1 a man among ! de/ruction6  
,spee* ( ,en-,urta4  #agf4 ,!n ,en-,urta
 op5$ 8 m\? & spake #agg4 ,& said unto !
 w>rior ,enlil 7,bl73 #agh4 ,:o besides 
! god ,ea c make a plan8 #agi4 ,! god   
,ea kn[e? ev]y?+4 #ahj4 ,he op5$ 8 m\? &
 spake #aha4 ,& said unto ! w>rior      
,enlil 7,bl71 #ahb4 ,o ,pr9ce among !   
gods1 ?\ w>rior1 #ahc4 ,h[ c\ld/ ?\1 n  
accept+ c\nsel1 make a cyclone8 #ahd4   
,he :o is s9ful1 on him lay 8 s91 #ahe4 
,he :o transgresse?1 on him lay 8       
transgression4 #ahf4 ,b be m]ciful t    
ev]y?+ be n de/roy$2 be      long-suff]+
 t man be n blott$ out4 #ahg4 ,in/ead ( 
?y mak+ a cyclone1 #ahh4 ,w\ld t a lion 
_h come & dim9i%$ mank9d4 #ahi4 ,in/ead 
( ?y mak+ a cyclone #ai,o4 ,w\ld t a    
wolf _h come & dim9i%$ mank9d4 #aia4    
,in/ead ( ?y mak+ a cyclone #aib4 ,w\ld 
t a fam9e _h aris5 & laid wa/e ! l&4    
#aic4 ,in/ead ( ?y mak+ a cyclone #aid4 

,w\ld t ,urra 7! ,plague god7 _h ris5 up
 & laid wa/e      ! l&4 #aie4 ,z = me ,i
 h n reveal$ ! secret ( ! great gods4   
#aif4 ,i made ,atra-hasis to see a      
vision1 & ?us he he>d !      secret ( ! 
gods4 #aig4 ,n[ !re=e c\nsel him )      
c\nsel4  ,ea deifies ,uta-,napi%tim & 8 
,wife4  #aih4 ,!n ! god ,ea w5t up into 
! %ip1 #aii4 ,he seiz$ me by ! h& &     
br\ght me =?4 #bjj4 ,he br\ght =? my    
wife & made h] to kneel by my side4     
#b,o#a4 ,he turn$ our faces t[>ds ea*   
o!r1 he /ood betwe5 u1      he bless$ u 
say+1 #bjb4 ,=m]ly ,uta-,napi%tim 0 a   
man m]ely1 #bjc4 ,b n[ let              
,uta-,napi%ti9 & 8 wife be l unto !     
gods1      ourselves4 #bjd4             
,uta-,napi%tim %all dwell af> (f1 at !  
m\? ( ! riv]s4  ,uta-,napi%tim ,ends 8  
,/ory ( ! ,deluge4  #bje4 ,& !y took me 
away to a place af> (f1 & made me to    
dwell      at ! m\? ( ! riv]s4  ,!      
cont5ts ( ! rema9d] ( ! text on !       
,elev5? ,tablet ( ! ,gilgami% ,s]ies are
 describ$ on p4 #ed4   ,! ,epic (       

,gilgami%4 #ae  ,! n>rative ( ! life1   
exploits & travels ( ,gilgami%1 k+ (    
,ere*1 fill$ ,twelve ,tablets :i* =m$ ! 
,s]ies call$ f ! fir/ ?ree words ( !    
,fir/ ,tablet1 ,%a ,nagbu ,imuru1 i4e41 
,he :o ha? se5 all ?+s4 ,! exact p]iod (
 ! reign ( ?is k+ is unkn[n1 b !re is no
 d\bt t he liv$ & rul$ at ,ere* be=e !  
conque/ ( ,mesopotamia by ! ,semites4   
,accord+ to a tablet f ,niff> he 0 !    
fif? ( a l9e ( ,sum]ian rul]s at ,ere*1 
& he reign$ #abf ye>s2 8 "n is said to  
mean ,! ,fire-god is a comm&]4 #af ,!   
pr9cipal au?orities = ! ,epic are !     
num]\s fragm5ts ( ! tablets t 7 f\nd 9 !
 ru9s ( ! ,libr>y ( ,nebo & ! ,royal    
,libr>y ( ,a%ur-bani-pal at ,n9eveh1 &  
are n[ 9 ! ,briti% ,museum4 #ag ,!      
cont5ts ( ! ,twelve ,tablets may be     
briefly describ$ ?us3   ,! ,fir/        
,tablet4  ,! op5+ l9es describe ! great 
k & wisdom ( ,gilgami%1 :o saw ev]y?+1  
le>n$ ev]y?+1 und]/ood ev]y?+1 :o prob$ 
to ! bottom ! hidd5 my/]ies ( wisdom1 & 
:o knew ! hi/ory ( ev]y?+ t happ5$ be=e 

! ,deluge4 ,he travell$ f> ov] sea & l&1
 & p]=m$ mighty de$s1 & !n he cut ^u a  
tablet ( /one an acc\nt ( all t he _h   
done & suff]$4 ,he built ! wall ( ,ere*1
 f\nd$ ! holy temple ( ,e-,anna1 & c>ri$
 out o!r great ar*itectural works4 ,he 0
 a semi-div9e be+1 = 8 body 0 =m$ ( !   
fle% ( ! gods1 & ,two-?irds ( him 7 god1
 & "o-?ird 0 man 7l4 #ea74 ,!           
description ( 8 p]son is lo/4 ,z ,%eph]d
 7i4e41 ,k+7 ( ,ere* he =c$ ! p to toil 
ov]mu*1 & 8 dem&s r$uc$ !m to su* a /ate
 ( mis]y t !y cri$ out to ! gods & begg$
 !m to create "s k+ :o %\ld control     
,gilgami% & give !m deliv]ance f him4 ,!
 gods he>k5$ to ! pray] ( ! m5 ( ,ere*1 
& !y comm&$ ! goddess ,aruru to create a
 rival to ,gilgami%4 ,! goddess agre$ to
 d _! bidd+1 & hav+ plann$ 9 h] m9d :at 
mann] ( be+ %e int5d$ to make1 %e wa%$  
h] h&s1 took a piece ( clay & spat ^u x1
 & made a male creature l ! god ,anu4 ,8
 body 0 cov]$ all ov] ) hair4 ,! hair ( 
8 head 0 long l t ( a woman1 & he wore  
clo?+ l t ( ,gira 7or1 ,sumuggan71 a    

goddess ( vegetation1 i4e41 he appe>$ to
 be clo!d ) leaves4 ,he 0 diff]5t 9 e   
way f ! p ( ! c\ntry1 & 8 "n 0 ,enkidu  
7,eabani74 ,he liv$ 9 ! =e/s on ! hills1
 ate h]bs l ! gazelle1 drank ) ! wild   
cattle1 & h]d$ ) ! bea/s ( ! field4 ,he 
0 mighty 9 /ature1 inv9cible 9 /r5g?1 & 
obta9$ complete ma/]y ov] all !         
creatures ( ! =e/s 9 :i* he liv$4  ,"o  
day a c]ta9 hunt] w5t out to sn>e game1 
& he dug pit-traps & laid nets1 & made 8
 usual prep>ations = rop+ 9 8 prey4 ,b  
aft] do+ ?is = ?ree days he f\nd t 8    
pits 7 fill$ up & 8 nets sma%$1 & he saw
 ,enkidu releas+ ! bea/s t _h be5 sn>$4 
,! hunt] 0 t]rifi$ at ! sight ( ,enkidu1
 & w5t home ha/ily & told 8 fa!r :at he 
_h se5 & h[ badly he _h f>$4 ,by 8      
fa!r's advice he w5t to ,ere*1 & report$
 to ,gilgami% :at _h happ5$4 ,:5        
,gilgami% he>d 8 /ory he advis$ him to  
act ^u a sugge/ion :i* ! hunt]'s fa!r _h
 already made1 namely t he %\ld hire a  
h>lot & take h] out to ! =e/1 s t       
,enkidu might be ensn>$ by ! sight ( h] 

beauty1 & take up 8 abode ) h]4 ,! hunt]
 accept$ ?is advice1 & hav+ f\nd a h>lot
 to help him 9 remov+ ,enkidu f ! =e/s  
7?us enabl+ him to ga9 a liv+71 he set  
out f ,ere* ) h] & 9 due c\rse arriv$ at
 ! =e/ :]e ,enkidu liv$1 & sat d[n by ! 
place :]e ! bea/s came to dr9k4  ,on !  
second day :5 ! bea/s came to dr9k &    
,enkidu 0 ) !m1 ! woman c>ri$ out !     
in/ructions :i* ! hunt] _h giv5 h]1 & :5
 ,enkidu saw h] ca/ aside h] veil1 he   
left 8 bea/s & came to h]1 & rema9$ ) h]
 = six days & sev5 nights4 ,at ! end (  
?is p]iod he return$ to ! bea/s ) :i* he
 _h liv$ on fri5dly t]ms1 b z soon z !  
gazelle w9d$ him !y took to flight1 & ! 
wild cattle disappe>$ into ! woods4 ,:5 
,enkidu saw ! bea/s =sake him 8 knees   
gave way1 & he swoon$ f %e] %ame2 b :5  
he came to himself he return$ to !      
h>lot4 ,%e spoke to him flatt]+ words1 &
 ask$ him :y he w&]$ ) ! wild bea/s 9 ! 
des]t1 & !n told him %e wi%$ to take him
 back ) h] to ,ere*1 :]e ,anu & ,i%t>   
liv$1 & :]e ! mighty ,gilgami% reign$4  

,enkidu he>k5$ & f9ally w5t back ) h] to
 h] city1 :]e %e describ$ ! wisdom1 p[] 
& might ( ,gilgami%1 & took /eps to make
 ,enkidu kn[n to him4 ,b be=e ,enkidu   
arriv$1 ,gilgami% _h be5 w>n$ ( 8       
exi/5ce & com+ 9 two dreams :i* he      
relat$ to 8 "m ,n9sunna1 & :5 he &      
,enkidu le>n$ to "k ea* o!r subsequ5tly1
 ^! two mighty h]oes became great       
fri5ds4   ,! ,second ,tablet4  ,:5      
,enkidu came to ,ere* ! habits ( ! p ( !
 city 7 /range to him1 b "u ! tuition ( 
! h>lot he le>n$ to eat bread & to dr9k 
be]1 & to we> clo!s1 & he ano9t$ 8 body 
) ungu5ts4 ,he w5t out into ! =e/s ) 8  
hunt+ implem5ts & sn>$ ! gazelle & slew 
! pan!r1 & obta9$ animals = sacrifice1 &
 ga9$ reputation z a mighty hunt] & z a 
good %eph]d4 ,9 due c\rse he attract$ ! 
notice ( ,gilgami%1 :o did n1 h[ev]1 l 8
 unc\? appe>ance & ways1 b aft] a "t1 :5
 ! citiz5s ( ,ere* prais$ him & admir$ 8
 /rong & vigor\s /ature1 he made fri5ds 
) him & rejoic$ 9 him1 & plann$ an      
exp$ition ) him4 ,be=e !y set out1      

,gilgami% wi%$ to pay a visit to !      
goddess ,i%kh>a1 b ,enkidu1 fe>+ t !    
influ5ce ( ! goddess w\ld h a bad effect
 ^u 8 fri5d1 urg$ him to ab&on ! visit4 
,?is ,gilgami% refus$ to d1 & :5 ,enkidu
 decl>$ t by =ce he w\ld prev5t him go+ 
to ! goddess1 a viol5t qu>rel broke out 
betwe5 ! two h]oes1 & !y appeal$ to     
arms4 ,aft] a fi]ce fight ,enkidu       
conqu]$ ,gilgami%1 :o app>5tly ab&on$ 8 
visit to ! goddess4 ,! text ( ! ,second 
,tablet is v mu* mutilat$1 & !          
au?orities on ! subject are n agre$ z to
 ! exact plac+ ( ! fragm5ts4 ,! above   
details are d]iv$ f a tablet at         
,philadelphia4 #ah    ,! ,?ird ,tablet4 
,! correct ord] ( ! fragm5ts ( ?is      
,tablet has n yet be5 asc]ta9$1 b among 
! cont5ts ( ! fir/ "p ( its text a lam5t
 by ,enkidu t he 0 associat$ ) ! h>lot  
seems to h _h a place4 ,:e!r he _h left 
! city ( ,ere* & gone back to 8 native  
=e/ is n cle>1 b ! god ,%ama%1 hav+ he>d
 8 curs+ ( ! h>lot1 cri$ to him f heav51
 say+1 ,:y1 ,o ,enkidu1 do/ ?\ curse !  

temple woman8 ,%e gave !e food to eat   
:i* 0 meet only = a god1 %e gave !e w9e 
to dr9k :i* 0 meet only = a k+1 %e      
array$ !e 9 spl5did app>el1 & made !e to
 possess z ?y fri5d ! noble ,gilgami%4  
,& at pres5t ,gilgami% is ?y bosom      
fri5d4 ,he make? !e to lie d[n on a l>ge
 c\*1 & to sleep 9 a good1 well-deck$   
b$1 & to occupy ! *air ( peace1 ! *air  
on ! left-h& side4 ,! pr9ces ( ! e>?    
kiss ?y feet4 ,he make? ! p ( ,ere* to  
sigh = !e1 & _m folk to cry out = !e1 & 
to s]ve !e4 ,& = ?y sake he putte? on   
co>se attire & arraye? himself 9 ! sk9 (
 ! lion1 & pursue? !e ov] ! pla94 ,:5   
,enkidu he>d ^! words 8 anxi\s he>t _h  
peace4  ,to ! ,?ird ,tablet probably    
belongs ! fragm5t 9 :i* ,enkidu relates 
to ,gilgami% a horrify+ dream :i* he _h 
_h4 ,9 8 dream x seem$ to him t !re 7   
?und]+s 9 heav5 & quak+ ^u e>?1 & a be+ 
) an awful visage1 & nails l all eagle's
 talons1 gripp$ him & c>ri$ him (f & =c$
 him to g d[n into ! d>k abyss ( ! dread
 goddess1 ,irkalla4 ,f ?is abode he :o  

once w5t 9 nev] came out1 & he :o       
travell$ along t road nev] return$1 he  
:o dwelle? !re is )\t light1 ! be+s !re9
 eat du/ & fe$ ^u mud2 !y are clad 9    
fea!rs & h w+s l birds1 !y see no light1
 & !y live 9 ! d>kness ( night4 ,"h     
,enkidu saw 9 8 dream creatures :o _h   
be5 k+s :5 !y liv$ ^u ! e>?1 & %ad[y    
be+s (f]+ roa/$ meat to ,anu & ,enlil1 &
 cool dr9ks p\r$ out f wat]sk9s4 ,9 ?is 
,h\se ( ,du/ dwelt high prie/s1         
m9i/rants1 ! magician & ! prophet1 & !  
deities ,etana1 ,sumukan1 ,ere%-kigal1  
,que5 ( ! ,e>?1 & ,blitsri1 :o regi/]$ !
 de$s done ^u ! e>?4  ,:5 ,gilgami% he>d
 ?is dream1 he br\ght out a table1 &    
sett+ on x honey & butt] plac$ x be=e   
,%ama%4   ,! ,f\r? ,tablet4  ,gilgami%  
!n turn$ to ,enkidu & invit$ him to g ) 
him to ! temple ( ,n9-,makh to see !    
s]vant ( 8 "m1 ,n9sunna1 9 ord] to      
consult h] z to ! mean+ ( ! dream4 ,!y  
w5t !re1 & ,enkidu told 8 dream1 & !    
wise woman (f]$ up inc5se & ask$ ,%ama% 
:y he _h giv5 to h] son a he>t :i* c\ld 

nev] keep /ill4 ,%e next ref]r$ to !    
p]il\s exp$ition aga9/ ! mighty ,k+     
,khumbaba1 :i* he _h decid$ to und]take 
) ,enkidu1 & app>5tly hop$ t ! god w\ld 
prev5t h] son f leav+ ,ere*4 ,b         
,gilgami% 0 det]m9$ to m>* aga9/        
,khumbaba1 & he & ,enkidu set out )\t   
delay = ! m\nta9s :]e grew ! c$>s4   ,! 
,fif? ,tablet4  ,9 due c\rse ! two h]oes
 rea*$ ! =e/ ( c$>s1 & !y contemplat$ ) 
awe _! great height & _! d5se foliage4  
,! c$>s 7 "u ! special protection ( ,bl1
 :o _h appo9t$ to be _! keep] ,khumbaba1
 a be+ ^: voice 0 l ! ro> ( a /orm1 ^:  
m\? 0 l t ( ! gods1 & ^: brea? 0 l a    
gale ( w9d4 ,:5 ,enkidu saw h[ d5se 0 ! 
=e/ & h[ ?reat5+1 he tri$ to make       
,gilgami% turn back1 b all 8 entreaties 
7 9 va94 ,z !y 7 go+ ?r\gh ! =e/ to     
attack ,khumbaba1 ,enkidu dream$ two or 
?ree dreams1 & :5 he relat$ !m to       
,gilgami%1 ?is h]o int]pret$ !m z       
auguries ( _! success & ! slaught] (    
,khumbaba4 ,! fragm5t>y "* ( ! text "h  
makes x v difficult to f9d out exactly  

:at /eps ! two h]oes took to ov]come    
,khumbaba1 b !re is no d\bt t !y did    
ov]come him1 & t !y return$ to ,ere* 9  
triumph4    ,! ,six? ,tablet  ,on 8     
return to ,ere*1 ,gilgami%  #a4 ,wa%$ 8 
arm\r1 clean$ 8 weapons1 #b4 ,dress$ 8  
hair & let x fall d[n on 8 back4 #c4 ,he
 ca/ (f 8 dirty g>m5ts & put on clean   
ones #d4 ,he array$ himself 9 ! royal   
head-clo?1 he b\nd on !    fillet1 #e4  
,he put on 8 cr[n1 he b\nd on ! fillet4 
#f4 ,!n ! eyes ( ! ,maje/y ( ! goddess  
,i%t> light$ on !    goodl9ess (        
,gilgami% & %e said1 #g4 ,g to1         
,gilgami%1 ?\ %alt be my lov]4 #h4 ,give
 me ?y love-fruit1 give to me1 ,i say4  
#i4 ,?\ %alt be my man1 ,i w be ?y      
woman4 #aj4 ,i w make to be h>ness$ = !e
 a *>iot ( lapis-lazuli     & gold4 #aa4
 ,! :eels !re( %all be ( gold & ! horns 
( preci\s     /ones4 #ab4 ,?\ %alt      
h>ness daily to x mighty horses4 #ac4   
,come into our h\se ) ! p]fume ( ! c$>  
^u !e4 #ad4 ,:5 ?\ ent]e/ into our h\se 
#ae4 ,^? :o sit ^u ?rones %all kiss ?y  

feet4 #af4 ,k+s1 lords & nobles %all b[ 
_! backs be=e !e4 #ag4 ,! gifts ( m\nta9
 & l& !y %all br+ z tribute to !e4 #ah4 
,?y 444 & ?y %eep %all br+ =? tw9s4 #ai4
 ,baggage animals %all come lad5 )      
tribute4 #bj4 ,! horse 9 ?y *>iot %all  
prance pr\dly1 #ba4 ,!re %all be none l 
unto ! bea/ t is "u ?y yoke4  ,9 answ]  
to ,i%t>'s invitation ,gilgami% makes a 
long spee*1 9 :i* he reviews !          
calamities & mis=tunes ( ^? :o h be5    
un=tunate en\gh to become ! lov]s ( !   
goddess4 ,h] love is l a door t lets 9  
w9d & /orm1 a =tress t de/roys ! w>riors
 inside x1 an elephant t sma%es 8 h[dah1
 etc4 ,he says1 ,:at lov] did/ ?\ love =
 long8 ,:i* ( ?y %eph]ds fl\ri%$8 ,come 
n[1 ,i w describe ! calamity t goe? )   
!e4 ,he ref]s to ,tammuz1 ! lov] ( h]   
y\?1 = :om ye> by ye> %e arranges wail+ 
commemorations4 ,e creature t falls "u  
h] sway suff]s mutilation or dea?1 !    
bird's w+s are brok51 ! lion is de/roy$1
 ! horse is driv5 to dea? ) :ip & spur2 
& 8 spee* concludes ) ! words3 ,do/ ?\  

love me1 & w\ld/ ?\ treat me z ?\ did/  
!m8  ,:5 ,i%t> he>d ^! words %e 0 fill$ 
) rage1 & %e w5t up to heav5 & compla9$ 
to ,anu1 h] fa!r1 & ,antu1 h] "m1 t     
,gilgami% _h curs$ h] & reveal$ all h]  
iniquit\s de$s & actions4 ,%e foll[$ up 
h] compla9t ) ! reque/ t ,anu %\ld      
create a mighty bull ( heav5 to de/roy  
,gilgami%1 & %e ?reat5$ h] fa!r t if he 
did n grant h] reque/ %e w\ld d works ( 
de/ruction1 presumably 9 ! _w4 ,anu     
creat$ ! fire-brea?+ 787 bull ( heav5 & 
s5t him to ! city ( ,ere*1 :]e he       
de/roy$ l>ge numb]s ( ! p4 ,at l5g?     
,enkidu & ,gilgami% det]m9$ to g =? &   
slay ! bull4 ,:5 !y came to ! place :]e 
he 01 ,enkidu seiz$ him by ! tail1 &    
,gilgami% deliv]$ deadly bl[s betwe5 8  
neck & 8 horns1 & toge!r !y kill$1 him4 
,z soon z ,i%t> he>d ( ! dea? ( ! bull  
%e ru%$ out on ! battlem5ts ( ! walls ( 
,ere* & curs$ ,gilgami% = de/roy+ h]    
bull4 ,:5 ,enkidu he>d :at ,i%t> said1  
he w5t & tore (f a portion ( ! bull's   
fle% f 8 "r side1 & ?rew x at ! goddess1

 say+1 ,c\ld ,i b fight ) !e ,i w\ld    
s]ve !e z ,i h s]v$ him6 ,i w\ld tw9e 8 
entrails ab\t !e4 ,!n ,i%t> ga!r$ toge!r
 all h] temple wom5 & h>lots1 & ) !m    
made lam5tation ov] ! portion ( ! bull  
:i* ,enkidu _h ?r[n at h]4  ,& ,gilgami%
 call$ toge!r ! artisans ( ,ere* :o came
 & m>vell$ at ! size ( ! bull's horns1 =
 _! bulk 0 equal to #cj m9as (          
lapis-lazuli1 & _! ?ickness to ! l5g? ( 
two f+]s1 & !y c\ld conta9 six ,kur     
measures ( oil4 ,!n ,gilgami% took !m to
 ! temple ( ! god ,lugalb&a & hung !m up
 !re on ! ?rone ( 8 maje/y1 & hav+ made 
8 (f]+ he & ,enkidu w5t to ! ,euphrates 
& wa%$ _! h&s1 & walk$ back to !        
m>ket-place ( ,ere*4 ,z !y w5t ?r\gh !  
/reets ( ! city ! p ?rong$ ab\t !m to   
get a sight ( _! faces4 ,:5 ,gilgami%   
ask$3    ,:o is spl5did among m58   ,:o 
is glori\s among h]oes8  ^! que/ions 7  
answ]$ by ! wom5 ( ! palace :o cri$3    
,gilgami% is spl5did among m54          
,gilgami% is glori\s among h]oes4  ,:5  
,gilgami% ent]$ 8 palace he ord]$ a     

great fe/ival to be kept1 & 8 gue/s 7   
provid$ by him ) b$s to sleep on4 ,on ! 
night ( ! fe/ival ,enkidu _h a dream1 & 
he rose up & relat$ x to ,gilgami%4   ,!
 ,sev5? ,tablet4  ,ab\t ! cont5ts ( !   
,sev5? ,tablet !re is consid]able d\bt1 
& ! au?orities diff] 9 _! op9ions ab\t  
!m4 ,a l>ge numb] ( l9es ( text are     
want+ at ! beg9n+ ( ! ,tablet1 b x is v 
probable t !y conta9$ a description (   
,enkidu's dream4 ,?is may h be5 foll[$  
by an int]pretation ( ! dream1 ei!r by  
,gilgami% or "s "o else1 b :e!r ?is be s
 or n1 x seems tol]ably c]ta9 t ! dream 
port5d$ disa/] = ,enkidu4 ,a fragm5t1   
:i* seems to belong to ?is ,tablet      
beyond d\bt1 describes ! sickness & dea?
 ( ,enkidu4 ,! cause ( 8 sickness is    
unkn[n1 & ! fragm5t m]ely /ates t he    
took to 8 b$ & lay !re = t5 days1 :5 8  
illness took a turn = ! worse1 & on !   
twelf? day he di$4 ,he may h di$ ( w\nds
 receiv$ 9 "s fight1 b x is m probable t
 he succumb$ to an attack (             
,mesopotamian fev]4 ,:5 ,gilgami% 0 told

 t 8 brave fri5d & companion 9 _m fights
 0 dead1 he c\ld n believe x1 & he ?\ght
 t he mu/ be asleep1 b :5 he f\nd t dea?
 _h really c>ri$ (f ,enkidu1 he broke   
out into ! lam5t :i* =m$ ! beg9n+ ( !   
text ( ! next ,tablet4   ,! ,eigh?      
,tablet4  ,9 ?is lam5t he calls ,enkidu 
8 brave fri5d & ! pan!r ( ! des]t1 &    
ref]s to _! hunts 9 ! m\nta9s1 & to _!  
slaught] ( ! bull ( heav51 & to ! ov]?r[
 ( ,khumbaba 9 ! =e/ ( c$>1 & !n he asks
 him3     ,:at k9d ( sleep is ?is :i*   
ha? laid hold ^u !e8   ,?\ />e/ out     
blankly 787 & he>e/ me n6   ,b ,enkidu  
mov$ n1 & :5 ,gilgami% t\*$ 8 brea/ 8   
he>t 0 /ill4 ,!n lay+ a cov]+ ov] him z 
c>efully z if he _h be5 8 bride1 he     
turn$ away f ! dead body & 9 8 grief    
ro>$ l a rag+ lion & l a lioness robb$ (
 h] :elps4   ,! ,n9? ,tablet4  ,9 bitt] 
grief ,gilgami% w&]$ ab\t ! c\ntry utt]+
 lam5tations = 8 belov$ companion1      
,enkidu4 ,z he w5t ab\t he ?\ght to     
himself1    ,i myself %all die1 & %all n
 ,i !n be z ,enkidu8   ,sorr[ ha? ent]$ 

into my s\l1   ,because ( ! fe> ( dea?  
:i* ha? got hold ( me d ,i w&]     ov] !
 c\ntry4  ,8 f]v5t desire 0 to escape f 
dea?1 & rememb]+ t 8 ance/or            
,uta-,napi%tim1 ! son ( ,ub>a-,tutu1 _h 
become deifi$ & immortal1 ,gilgami%     
det]m9$ to set out = ! place :]e he liv$
 9 ord] to obta9 f him ! secret (       
immortality4 ,:]e ,uta-,napi%tim liv$ 0 
unkn[n to ,gilgami%1 b he seems to h    
made up 8 m9d t he w\ld h to face dang] 
9 rea*+ ! place1 = he says1 ,i w set out
 & travel quickly4 ,i %all rea* !       
defiles 9 ! m\nta9s by night1 & if ,i   
see lions1 & am t]rifi$ at !m1 ,i %all  
lift up my head & appeal to ! goddess   
,s91 & to ,i%t>1 ! ,lady ( ! ,gods1 :o  
is wont to he>k5 to my pray]s4 ,aft]    
,gilgami% set out to g to ! we/ he 0    
attack$ ei!r by m5 or animals1 b he     
ov]came !m & w5t on until he arriv$ at  
,m\nt ,ma%u1 :]e x w\ld seem ! sun 0    
?\ght bo? to rise & to set4 ,! approa*  
to ?is m\nta9 0 gu>d$ by ,scorpion-m51  
^: aspect 0 s t]rible t ! m]e sight ( x 

0 suffici5t to kill ! mortal :o beheld  
!m2 ev5 ! m\nta9s collaps$ "u ! glance (
 _! eyes4 ,:5 ,gilgami% saw !           
,scorpion-m5 he 0 smitt5 ) fe>1 & "u !  
influ5ce ( 8 t]ror ! col\r ( 8 face     
*ang$2 b he pluck$ up c\rage & b[$ to !m
 humbly4 ,!n a ,scorpion-man cri$ out to
 8 wife1 say+1 ,! body ( him t come? to 
u is ! fle% ( ! gods1 & %e repli$1      
,two-?irds ( him is god1 & ! o!r ?ird is
 man4 ,! ,scorpion-man !n receiv$       
,gilgami% k9dly1 & w>n$ him t ! way :i* 
he 0 ab\t to travel 0 full ( dang] &    
difficulty4 ,gilgami% told him t he 0 9 
se>* ( 8 ance/or1 ,uta-,napi%tim1 :o _h 
be5 deifi$ & made immortal by ! gods1 & 
t x 0 8 int5tion to g to him to le>n !  
secret ( immortality4 ,! ,scorpion-man 9
 answ] told him t x 0 impossible = him  
to cont9ue 8 j\rney ?r\gh t c\ntry1 = no
 man _h ev] succe$$ 9 pass+ ?r\gh ! d>k 
region ( t m\nta91 :i* requir$ twelve   
d\ble-h\rs to trav]se4 ,no?+ dismay$1   
,gilgami% set out on ! road ?r\gh !     
m\nta9s1 & ! d>kness increas$ 9 d5sity e

 h\r1 b he /ruggl$ on1 & at ! end ( !   
twelf? h\r he arriv$ at a region :]e !re
 0 bright daylight1 & he ent]$ a lovely 
g>d51 fill$ ) trees load$ ) lusci\s     
fruits1 & he saw ! tree ( ! gods4   ,!  
,t5? ,tablet4  ,9 ! region to :i*       
,gilgami% _h come /ood ! palace or      
=tress ( ! goddess ,siduri-,sabtu1 & to 
?is he direct$ 8 /eps ) ! view ( obta9+ 
help to cont9ue 8 j\rney4 ,! goddess    
wore a girdle & sat ^u a ?rone by ! side
 ( ! sea1 & :5 %e saw him com+ t[>ds h] 
palace1 travel-/a9$ & clad 9 ! ragg$ sk9
 ( "s animal1 %e ?\ght t he might prove 
an undesirable visitor & s ord]$ ! door 
( h] palace to be clos$ aga9/ him4 ,b   
,gilgami% manag$ to obta9 spee* ) h]1 & 
hav+ ask$ h] :at ail$ h]1 & :y %e _h    
clos$ h] door1 he ?reat5$ to sma% ! bolt
 & break d[n ! door4 ,9 answ]           
,siduri-,sabitu said to him3--  #cc4 ,:y
 are ?y *eeks wa/$8 ,?y face is b[$ d[n1
 #cd4 ,?9e he>t is sad1 ?y =m is        
deject$4 #ce4 ,:y is !re lam5tation 9 ?y
 he>t8  ,& %e w5t on to tell him t he _h

 ! appe>ance ( "o :o _h travell$ f>1 t  
he 0 a pa9ful sight to look ^u1 t 8 face
 0 burnt1 & f9ally seems to h sugge/$ t 
he 0 a runaway try+ to escape trom !    
c\ntry4 ,to ?is ,gilgami% repli$3  #ci4 
,:y %\ld n my *eeks be wa/$1 my face b[$
 d[n1 #dj4 ,my he>t sad1 my =m deject$8 
,& !n he told ! goddess t 8 ill-looks & 
mis]able appe>ance 7 due to ! fact t    
dea? _h c>ri$ (f 8 de> fri5d ,enkidu1 ! 
pan!r ( ! des]t1 :o _h trav]s$ ! m\nta9s
 ) him & _h help$ him to ov]come        
,khumbaba 9 ! c$> =e/1 & to slay ! bull 
( heav51 ,enkidu 8 de> fri5d :o _h f\ght
 ) lions & kill$ !m1 & :o _h be5 ) him 9
 all 8 difficulties2 &1 he add$1 ,i wept
 ov] him = six days & nights 444 be=e ,i
 w\ld let him be buri$4 ,cont9u+ 8      
n>rative1 ,gilgami% said to             
,sabtu-,siduri3  #eg4 ,i 0 horribly     
afraid4444 #eh4 ,i 0 afraid ( dea?1 &   
!re=e ,i fl$ ?r\gh !     c\ntry4 ,! fate
 ( my fri5d lie? heavily ^u me1 #ei4    
,!re=e am ,i travell+ on a long j\rney  
?r\gh ! c\ntry4     ,! fate ( my fri5d  

lie? heavily ^u me1 #fj4 ,!re=e am ,i   
travell+ on a long j\rney ?r\gh !       
c\ntry4 #fa4 ,h[ is x possible = me to  
keep sil5ce ab\t x8     ,h[ is x        
possible = me to cry out ! /ory ( x8    
#fb4 ,my fri5d :om ,i lov$ ha? become l 
! du/4     ,enkidu1 my fri5d :om ,i lov$
 ha? become l ! du/4 #fc4 ,%all n ,i    
myself also be oblig$ to lay me d[n #fd4
 ,& nev] aga9 rise up to all et]nity8   
#fe4 ,gilgami% cont9u$ to speak unto    
,sabtu say+3 #ff4 ,o ,sabtu1 :i* is !   
way to ,uta-,napi%tim8 #fg4 ,:at is !   
description !re(8 ,give me1 give me !   
description     !re(4 #fh4 ,if x be     
possible ,i w cross ! sea1 #fi4 ,if x be
 impossible ,i w travel by l&4 #gj4 ,!n 
,sabtu answ]$ & said unto ,gilgami%3    
#ga4 ,!re is no passage mo/ assur$ly1 ,o
 ,gilgami%4 #gb4 ,& no "o1 f ! e>lie/   
times1 ha? be5 able to cross     ! sea4 
#gc4 ,! h]o ,%ama% 7! ,sun-god7 ha?     
inde$ cross$ ! sea1     b :o besides him
 c\ld d s8 #gd4 ,! passage is h>d1 & !  
way is difficult4 #ge4 ,& ! ,wat]s (    

,dea? :i* block ! o!r end ( x are deep4 
#gf4 ,h[ !n1 ,gilgami%1 wilt ?\ be able 
to cross ! sea8 #gg4 ,:5 ?\ arrive/ at !
 ,wat]s ( ,dea? :at wilt ?\ d8  ,sabtu  
!n told ,gilgami% t ,ur-,%anabi1 !      
boatman ( ,uta-,napi%tim1 0 9 ! place1 &
 t he %\ld see him1 & add$3  #ha4 ,if x 
be possible cross ) him1 & if x be      
impossible     come back4  ,gilgami%    
left ! goddess & succe$$ 9 f9d+         
,ur-,%anabi1 ! boatman1 :o address$ to  
him words simil> to ^? ( ,sabtu quot$   
above4 ,gilgami% answ]$ him z he _h     
answ]$ ,sabtu1 & !n ask$ him = news ab\t
 ! road to ,uta-,napi%tim4 ,9 reply     
,ur-,%anabi told him to take 8 axe & to 
g d[n into ! =e/ & cut a numb] ( poles  
#fj cubits long2 ,gilgami% did s1 & :5  
he return$ ) !m he w5t up into ! boat ) 
,ur-,%anabi1 & !y made a voyage ( "o    
mon? & fifte5 days2 on ! ?ird day !y    
rea*$ ! limit ( ! ,wat]s ( ,dea?1 :i*   
,ur-,%anabi told ,gilgami% n to t\* ) 8 
h&4 ,mean:ile1 ,uta-,napi%tim _h se5 !  
boat com+ &1 z some?+ 9 its appe>ance   

seem$ /range to him1 he w5t d[n to !    
%ore to see :o ! newcom]s 74 ,:5 he saw 
,gilgami% he ask$ him ! same que/ions t 
,sabtu & ,ur-,%anabi _h ask$ him1 &     
,gilgami% answ]$ z he _h answ]$ !m1 & !n
 w5t on to tell him ! reason = 8 com+4  
,he said t he _h det]m9$ to g to visit  
,uta-,napi%tim1 ! remote1 & _h !re=e    
j\rney$ f> & t 9 ! c\rse ( 8 travels he 
_h pass$ ov] difficult m\nta9s & cross$ 
! sea4 ,he _h n succe$$ 9 ent]+ ! h\se (
 ,sabtu1 = %e _h caus$ him to be driv5 f
 h] door on acc\nt ( 8 dirty1 ragg$1 &  
travel-/a9$ app>el4 ,he _h eat5 birds & 
bea/s ( _m k9ds1 ! lion1 ! pan!r1 !     
jackal1 ! antelope1 m\nta9 goat1 etc41  
&1 app>5tly1 _h dress$ himself 9 _!     
sk9s4  ,a break 9 ! text makes x        
impossible to give ! op5+ l9es (        
,uta-,napi%tim's reply1 b he m5tions !  
fa!r & "m ( ,gilgami%1 & 9 ! la/ tw5ty  
l9es ( ! ,t5? ,tablet he w>ns ,gilgami% 
t on e>? !re is no?+ p]man5t1 t         
,mammitum1 ! arrang] ( de/9ies1 has     
settl$ ! "q ( ! dea? & life ( man ) !   

,anunnaki1 & t none may f9d out ! day ( 
8 dea? or escape f dea?4   ,! ,elev5?   
,tablet4  ,! /ory ( ! ,deluge z told by 
,uta-,napi%tim to ,gilgami% has already 
be5 giv5 on pp4 #ca-dj1 & we !re=e pass 
on to ! rema9+ cont5ts ( ?is ,tablet4   
,:5 ,uta-,napi%tim _h f9i%$ ! /ory ( !  
,deluge1 he said to ,gilgami%1 ,n[ z    
t\*+ ?yself2 :i* ( ! gods w ga!r !e to  
himself s t ?\ maye/ f9d ! life :i* ?\  
seeke/8 ,come n[1 d n lay ?yself d[n to 
sleep = six days & sev5 nights4 ,b 9    
spite ( ?is admonition z soon z         
,gilgami% _h sat d[n1 dr[s9ess ov]p[]$  
him & he fell fa/ asleep4               
,uta-,napi%tim1 see+ t ev5 ! mighty h]o 
,gilgami% c\ld n resi/ fall+ asleep1 )  
"s amusem5t drew ! att5tion ( 8 wife to 
! fact1 b %e felt sorry = ! tir$ man1 & 
sugge/$ t he %\ld take /eps to help him 
to return to 8 home4 ,9 reply           
,uta-,napi%tim told h] to bake bread =  
him & %e did s1 & ea* day = six days %e 
c>ri$ a loaf to ! %ip & laid x on ! deck
 :]e ,gilgami% lay sleep+4 ,on ! sev5?  

day :5 %e took ! loaf ,uta-,napi%tim    
t\*$ ,gilgami%1 & ! h]o woke up ) a />t1
 & admitt$ t he _h be5 ov]come ) sleep1 
& made incapable ( movem5t !reby4  ,/ill
 vex$ ) ! ?\ght ( dea? & fill$ ) anxiety
 to escape f x1 ,gilgami% ask$ 8 ho/ :at
 he %\ld d & :]e he %\ld g to effect 8  
object4 ,by ,uta-,napi%tim's advice1 he 
made an agreem5t ) ,ur-,%anabi !        
boatman1 & prep>$ to re-cross ! sea on 8
 way home4 ,b be=e he set out on 8 way  
,uta-,napi%tim told him ( ! exi/5ce ( a 
plant :i* grew at ! bottom ( ! sea1 &   
app>5tly l$ ,gilgami% to believe t !    
possession ( x w\ld conf] ^u him        
immortality4 ,!reupon ,gilgami% ti$     
heavy /ones to 8 feet1 & let himself d[n
 into ! sea ?r\gh an op5+ 9 ! floor ( ! 
boat4 ,:5 he rea*$ ! bottom ( ! sea1 he 
saw ! plant & pluck$ x1 & asc5d$ into ! 
boat ) x4 ,%[+ x to ,ur-,%anabi1 he told
 him t x 0 a mo/ m>vell\s plant1 & t x  
w\ld enable a man to obta9 8 he>t's     
desire4 ,its "n 0 ,%bu issahir amelu1   
i4e41 ,! old man become? "y aga91 &     

,gilgami% decl>$ t he w\ld eat ( x 9    
ord] to recov] 8 lo/ y\?1 & t he w\ld   
take x home to 8 =tifi$ city ( ,ere*4   
,mis=tune1 h[ev]1 dogg$ 8 /eps1 & !     
plant nev] rea*$ ,ere*1 = :il/ ,gilgami%
 & ,ur-,%anabi 7 on _! way back to ,ere*
 !y pass$ a pool ! wat] ( :i* 0 v cold1 
& ,gilgami% div$ into x & took a ba?4   
,:il/ !re a s]p5t discov]$ ! :]eab\ts ( 
! plant ?r\gh its smell & swall[$ x4 ,:5
 ,gilgami% saw :at _h happ5$ he curs$   
al\d1 & sat d[n & wept1 & ! te>s c\rs$  
d[n 8 *eeks z he lam5t$ ov] ! wa/e ( 8  
toil1 & ! va9 exp5diture ( 8 he>t's     
blood1 & 8 failure to d any good =      
himself4 ,di%e>t5$ & we>y he /ruggl$ on 
8 way ) 8 fri5d1 & at l5g? !y arriv$ at 
! =tifi$ city ( ,ere*4 #ai ,!n ,gilgami%
 told ,ur-,%anabi to jump up on ! wall &
 exam9e ! bricks f ! f\ndations to !    
battlem5ts1 & see if ! plans :i* he _h  
made conc]n+ !m _h be5 c>ri$ out dur+ 8 
abs5ce4   ,! ,twelf? ,tablet4  ,! text (
 ! ,twelf? ,tablet is v fragm5t>y1 &    
conta9s l>ge gaps1 b x seems c]ta9 t    

,gilgami% did n ab&on 8 hope ( f9d+ !   
secret ( immortality4 ,he _h fail$ to   
f9d x ^u e>?1 & he made arrangem5ts ) ! 
view ( try+ to f9d x 9 ! k+dom ( ! dead4
 ,! prie/s :om he consult$ describ$ to  
him ! conditions "u :i* he might hope to
 ent] ! ,und]world1 b he 0 unable to    
fulfil ! obligations :i* !y laid ^u him1
 & he c\ld n g !re4 ,gilgami% !n ?\ght t
 if he c\ld h a conv]sation ) ,enkidu1 8
 dead fri5d1 he might le>n f him :at he 
want$ to "k4 ,he appeal$ to ,bl & ask$  
him to raise up ! _s ( ,enkidu = him1 b 
,bl made no answ]2 he !n appeal$ to ,s91
 & ?is god also made no answ]4 ,he next 
appeal$ to ,ea1 :o1 tak+ pity on him1   
ord]$ ! w>rior god ,n]gal to produce !  
_s ( ,enkidu1 & ?is god op5$ a hole 9 ! 
gr\nd ?r\gh :i* ! _s ( ,enkidu pass$ up 
into ?is _w l a brea? ( w9d4 ,gilgami%  
began to ask ! _s ( ,enkidu que/ions1 b 
ga9$ v little in=mation or satisfaction4
 ,! la/ l9es ( ! tablet seem to say t ! 
_s ( ! unburi$ man repose? n 9 ! e>?1 & 
t ! _s ( ! fri5dless man w&]e? ab\t !   

/reets eat+ ! rema9s ( food :i* are ca/ 
out f ! cook+ pots4  ,e4 ,a4 ,wallis    
,budge4  ,dep>tm5t ( ,egyptian &        
,assyrian ,antiquities1 ,briti% ,museum1
  ,july #bd?1 #aibj4   ,note4  ,!       
,tru/ees ( ! ,briti% ,museum h publi%$  
l>ge selections ( cunei=m texts f !     
cyl9d]s1 tablets1 etc41 t 7 f\nd 9 !    
ru9s ( ,n9eveh by ,lay>d1 ,rassam1 ,smi?
 & o!rs1 9 ! foll[+ works3--   ,,cunei=m
 ,,inscriptions ,,( ,,we/]n ,,asia4     
,vol4 ,i4 #ahfa4 ,fol4 ,il4 7,out (     
pr9t47 ---- ,vol4 ,,ii4 #ahff4 ,fol4    
,il4 7,out ( pr9t47 ---- ,vol4 ,,iii4   
#ahgj4 ,fol4 ,il4 ---- ,vol4 ,,iv4      
,second edition4 #ahia4 ,fol4 ,il4 7,out
  ( pr9t47 ---- ,vol4 ,v4 ,plates       
,i4-,,xxxv4 #ahhj4 ,fol4 #aj,s4 #f;d4   
7,out ( pr9t47 ---- ,vol4 ,v4 ,plates   
,,xxxvi-,,lxx4 #ahhd4 ,fol4 #aj,s4 #f;d4
  7,out ( pr9t47 ---- ,vol4 ,v4 ,plates 
,i4-,,lxx4 ,li?ograph$ repr9t4  #aiji4  
,fol4 ,il4 #gs4 ,,inscriptions ,,f      
,,assyrian ,,monum5ts4 #ahea4 ,fol4     
,i#a4 #as4 ,,cunei=m ,,texts ,,f        

,,babylonian ,,tablets1 ,c41 ,,9 ,,!    
,,briti% ,,museum4 ,p>ts ,i4-,v41       
,,vii4-,,xxiii41 ,,xxv41                
,,xxvii4-,,xxxiv4 #ej plates ea*4       
#ahif-aiad4gs4#f;d4 ea*4 ---- ,"p ,,vi4 
#di plates4 #ahih4 #gs4 #f;d4 ---- ,"p  
,,xxiv4 #ej plates4 #aijh4 ,fol4 #ajs4  
---- ,"p ,,xxvi4 #ed plates4 #aiji4     
,fol4 #abs4 ,,annals ,,( ,,! ,,k+s ,,(  
,,assyria4 ,cunei=m texts )             
translit]ations & translations4 ,vol4   
,i4 #aijc4 #dto4 #al4 ,,catalogue ,,(   
,,! ,,cunei=m ,,tablets ,,9 ,,!         
,,k\yunjik ,,collection4 ,vol4 ,i4 #hvo4
 #ahhi4 #aes4 ---- ,vol4 ,,ii4 #ahia4   
#aes4 ---- ,vol4 ,,iii4 #ahid4 #aes4    
---- ,vol4 ,,iv4 #ahif4 #al4 ---- ,vol4 
,v4 #ahii4 #al4 #cs4 ---- ,supplem5t4   
#hvo4 ,i#iad4 #al4   ,,footnotes  #a ,a 
gr\p ( ,sum]ian words = libr>y are      
7girg9akku71 & ^! seem to mean          
collection ( writ+s4  #b ,^! bas-reliefs
 %[ t lions 7 kept 9 cages 9 ,n9eveh &  
let out to be kill$ by ! ,k+ ) 8 own h&4
 ,!re seems to be an allusion to ! cag$ 

lions by ,nahum 7ii4 #aa7 :o says1 ,:]e 
is ! dwell+ ( ! lions1 & ! fe$+ place ( 
! "y lions1 :]e ! lion1 ev5 ! old lion1 
walk$1 & ! lion's :elp1 & none made !m  
afraid8  #c 7,brit4 ,mus41 ,no4 #ia1jbf1
 ,col4 #a1 ll4 #ca-cc74  #d ,k4 #aceb is
 a good specim5 ( a catalogue 7see p4   
#aj72 ,k4 #adjj & ,k4 #aeci are labels  
7see p4 #ab74  #e ,= a full description 
( ! g5]al cont5ts ( ! two great         
,libr>ies ( ,n9eveh1 see ,bezold1       
,catalogue ( ! ,cunei=m ,tablets ( !    
,k\ynjik4 ,collection1 ,vol4 ,v41       
,london1 #ahii1 p4 xviiiff42 & ,k+1     
,supplem5t1 ,london1 #aiad1 p4 xviiiff4 
#f ,smi?1 ,assyrian ,discov]ies1        
,london1 #ahge1 p4 #ig4  #g ,publi%$ by 
,s*eil 9 ,masp]o's ,recueil1 ,vol4 ,,xx1
 p4 #ee;ff4  #h ,! text is publi%$ by   
,a4 ,poebel ) transcription1 comm5t>y1  
etc41 9 ,hi/orical ,texts1              
,philadelphia1 #aiad1 & ,hi/orical &    
,grammatical ,texts1 ,philadelphia1     
#aiad4  #i ,a fam\s "w compos$ by memb]s
 ( ! ,college ( ,edessa 9 ! fif? or six?

 c5tury ,a4,d4  #aj ,a transcript ( !   
cunei=m text by ,george ,smi?1 :o 0 !   
fir/ to translate x1 w be f\nd 9        
,rawl9son1 ,cunei=m ,inscriptions (     
,we/]n ,asia1 ,vol4 ,,iv41 plates #dc & 
#dd2 & a transcript1 ) translit]ation & 
translation by ! late ,pr(4 ,l4 ,w4 ,k+1
 is giv5 9 8 ,fir/ ,/eps 9 ,assyrian1   
,london1 #ahih1 p4 #afa;ff4  #aa ,! site
 ( ?is v anci5t city is m>k$ by ! m\nds 
( ,frah1 ne> ! ,%att al-,kr1 :i* is     
probably ! old b$ ( ! riv] ,euphrates2  
_m antiquities belong+ to ! e>lie/ p]iod
 ( ! rule ( ! ,sum]ians h be5 f\nd !re4 
#ab ,l ! habb ( mod]n times1 a sort (   
cyclone4  #ac ,! />-gods ( ! s\!rn sky4 
#ad ,! />-gods ( ! nor!rn heav54  #ae ,!
 "n ( ,gilgami% 0 =m]ly read ,izdub>1   
,gizdub>1 or ,gi%dub>4 ,he is probably  
ref]r$ to z ,,gr3 ,gilgamos 9 ,aelian1  
,de ,natura ,animalium1 ,,xii1 #ba 7ed4 
,didot1 ,p>is1 #aheh1 p4 #baj74  #af    
,langdon1 ,epic ( ,gilgami%1 pp4 #bjg1  
#bjh4  #ag ,! great] numb] ( ^! h be5   
collect$1 gr\p$ & publi%$ by ,haupt1    

,das ,babylonis*e ,nimrodepos1 ,leipzig1
 #ahhd & #ahia2 & see 8 "w on ! ,twelf? 
,tablet 9 ,beitrge zur ,assyriologie1   
,vol4 ,i1 p4 #di;ff4  #ah ,see ,langdon1
 ,! ,epic ( ,gilgame%1 ,philadelphia1   
#aiag4  #ai ,! city ( ,ere* 0 ! second (
 ! f\r cities :i*1 accord+ to ,g5esis x1
 #aj1 7 f\nd$ by ,nimrod1 ! son ( ,cu%1 
! mighty hunt] be=e ! ,"l4 ,& ! beg9n+ (
 8 k+dom 0 ,babel1 & ,ere* & ,accad1 &  
,calneh1 9 ! l& ( ,%9>4 ,! ,sum]ians &  
,babylonians call$ ! city ,uruk ,ki 2 ! 
fir/ sign means dwell+ or habitation1 & 
! second l&1 c\ntry1 etc41 & we may     
reg>d x z ! inhabit$ c\ntry1 p>         
excell5ce1 ( ,l[] ,babylonia at a v e>ly
 p]iod4 ,! site ( ,ere* is well-kn[n1 & 
is m>k$ by ! va/ ru9s :i* ! ,arabs call 
,w>kah1 or ,al-,w>kah4 ,^! lie 9 #ca    
#ai' ,n4 ,lat4 & #de #dj' ,e4 ,long41 & 
are ab\t f\r miles f ! ,euphrates1 on ! 
left or ea/ bank ( ! riv]4 ,sir ,w4 ,k4 
,l(tus c>ri$ out excavations on ! site 9
 #ahdi-eb1 & says t ! ext]nal walls (   
sun-dri$ brick enclos+ ! ma9 portion ( !

 ru9s =m an irregul> circle five & a    
half miles 9 circumf]5ce2 9 places !y   
are f #dj to #ej feet 9 height1 & !y    
seem to h be5 ab\t #bj feet ?ick4 ,!    
turrets on ! wall 7 semi-oval 9 %ape1 & 
ab\t #ej feet ap>t4 ,! pr9cipal ru9 is t
 ( ! ,ziggurat1 or temple t[]1 :i* 9    
#ahej 0 #ajj feet high & #bjj feet      
squ>e4 ,l(tus calls x ,buwrya1 i4e41 re$
 mats1 because re$ mats 7 us$ 9 its     
con/ruction1 b bryah1 ru% mat1 is a     
,p]sian n ,arabic ^w1 & ! "n is m       
probably connect$ ) ! ,arabic ,bawr1    
i4e41 ru9 place ( dea?1 etc4 ,?is t[]   
/ood 9 a c\rty>d :i* 0 #cej feet long & 
#bgj feet wide4 ,! next l>ge ru9 is t   
:i* is call$ ,waswas 7plur4 ,0wis71     
i4e41 l>ge /one ,! ,waswas ref]r$ to 0  
probably ! block ( column> basalt :i*   
,l(tus & ,mr4 ,t4 ,k4 ,lyn* f\nd        
project+ ?r\gh ! soil2 on x 0 sculptur$ 
! figure ( a w>rior1 & ! /one itself 0  
reg>d$ z a talisman by ! natives4 ,?is  
ru9 is #bdf feet long1 #agd feet wide & 
#hj feet high4 ,on ?ree sides ( x are   

t]races ( diff]5t elevations1 b !       
s\?-we/ side pres5ts a p]p5dicul> faade1
 at "o place #bc feet 9 height4 ,= fur!r
 details see ,l(tus1 ,*aldea & ,susiana1
 ,london1 #aheg1 p4 #aei ff4 ,portions (
 ! ru9s ( ,w>kah 7 excavat$ by ! ,g]man 
ar*aeologi/s 9 #aiad1 & l>ge f9ds (     
tablets & o!r antiquities are said to h 
be5 made4