Gilgamesh Chen Translation.pdf

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P a g e | 46 Tablet XI 210 Column VII With a cry of joy did Gilgamesh speak to boatman Urshanabi: “With Reborn Man new life can be made. With Reborn Man our Elder there can share new life with everyone. With Reborn Man I can return to youth wherein I be most strong” 220 230 Column VIII So away did they sail. When 20 long walks did they pass They did eat. When another 20 long walks did they pass They did a short time rest. When another 20 long walks did they pass They did make camp. It was then that with plant in hand Gilgamesh did go to bathe. But to wash himself he must Reborn Man put down, and then A nearby serpent smelled its myrrh, and straight To it did it go. The serpent stole and ate it, and thusly [Is] the snake Reborn of skin once every full moon. Gilgamesh realized his loss. He wept and said: “What is the use of this long journey For now I am as at the start?” But seeing nothing could be done Gilgamesh the king, two parts divine one part man, went on. 240 Column IX Within 60 days the boatman and the King saw holy Uruk in their sight. Boatman, mark these walls, so high and thick. Boatman, mark those fields so lush and fertile. Boatman, mark these people so vital and rich. Boatman, mark that this town is Uruk. It is mine.
P a g e | 47 Tablet XII Tablet XII Gilgamesh Speaks to Enkidu in the Underworld Characters: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, the gods Enlil and Sin, the gods Ea and Nergal Introduction to Tablet XII Scholars disagree about the relation of Tablet XII to the other eleven tablets. The general consensus is that it was an appendage added to the other Gilgamesh stories at a later date. This tablet presents a stark contrast to the earlier eleven in style and content. The appearance of a “resurrected” Enkidu is especially startling. In light of these inconsistencies with Tablets I-XI, why include Tablet XII? Tablet XII provides further insight into some of the major themes and questions explored in the first eleven tablets. Is there an afterlife? What is the nature of it? What earthly behaviors are rewarded there? By the conclusion of Tablet XI, Gilgamesh was forced to accept the limits of mortal existence and be satisfied with its attainable rewards. Questions about the “state of being” in death had fiercely possessed him, however, and the answers remained a mystery. The defining and “coming to terms” with human mortality has been the province of every system of religious beliefs throughout history. Here is our first recorded vision of an afterlife. It is for these reasons that Tablet XII is included here. Column I “Who has Inanna‟s drumstick and her drum that I let fall into the world below? Will the gods help me? Who shall descend to the world below and retrieve Inanna‟s gift I let fall? Enkidu offered to go to the world below and retrieve Inanna‟s gifts. So Gilgamesh said this to Enkidu: 10 “If you descend, then heed these words of mine. Go down with filthy clothes lest the dead know you yet quick. Neither should you wear fragrant perfume in your hair. And another thing to avoid is carrying arrows and a bow. For the fragrance shall attract as mosquitoes to warm flesh, or ghouls to death scene Wearing shoes will cause you to announce with crashing step your presence in their realm. Do not praise nor beat your wife and holy son for such sex and violence does attract Ereshkigal.”
Page 1 and 2: A Translation of The Epic of Gilgam
Page 3 and 4: The difficulties in translating [ar
Page 5 and 6: P a g e | 5 Tablet I Tablet I: Gilg
Page 7 and 8: P a g e | 7 Tablet I Thus did Enkid
Page 9 and 10: P a g e | 9 Tablet I 170 180 Enkidu
Page 11 and 12: P a g e | 11 Tablet II 40 50 60 70
Page 13 and 14: P a g e | 13 Tablet III Tablet III:
Page 15 and 16: P a g e | 15 Tablet III 90 100 Colu
Page 17 and 18: P a g e | 17 Tablet IV 40 50 And ye
Page 19 and 20: P a g e | 19 Tablet V Tablet V: Hum
Page 21 and 22: P a g e | 21 Tablet V 80 So Enkidu
Page 23 and 24: P a g e | 23 Tablet VI 40 50 60 Whi
Page 25 and 26: P a g e | 25 Tablet VI 130 To Gilga
Page 27 and 28: P a g e | 27 Tablet VII Tablet VII:
Page 29 and 30: P a g e | 29 Tablet VII 80 90 Reali
Page 31 and 32: P a g e | 31 Tablet VIII Tablet VII
Page 33 and 34: P a g e | 33 Tablet IX Tablet IX: G
Page 35 and 36: P a g e | 35 Tablet X Tablet X: Sid
Page 37 and 38: P a g e | 37 Tablet X 80 90 100 110
Page 39 and 40: P a g e | 39 Tablet X 170 180 190 2
Page 41 and 42: P a g e | 41 Tablet XI Tablet XI: T
Page 43 and 44: P a g e | 43 Tablet XI 80 90 100 In
Page 45: P a g e | 45 Tablet XI 170 180 190
Page 49 and 50: P a g e | 49 Tablet XII 60 The king

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