The Epic of Gilgamesh records the search of Gilgamesh, King of the Sumerian City of Uruk to obtain the Immortality of the Anunnaki Gods, and is found in the Babylonian Enuma Elish Epic the principal source of Babylonian Religion.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of the first man to attempt to ‘defy’ the Anunnaki Gods by seeking out the Immortality of the Anunnaki Gods for himself, and perhaps all Humanity.
The lessons in the Epic Of Gilgamesh are intended for restless Humans to abandon their desire for the Immortality of the Anunnaki Gods and be content with the gifts of Life and Intelligence.
Summary Of Gilgamesh’s Search For The Immortality Of The Anunnaki Gods
In the tradition of Anunnaki Divine Kingship, Gilgamesh was a Demi-God, born half human and half Anunnaki and he ruled the City Of Uruk on behalf of the Sumerian Anunnaki Gods.
As King, Gilgamesh was disliked for acts like raping women before their marriage night with their husbands. In their concern for the City of Uruk, The Anunnaki Gods created a man from clay and sent him down to Uruk.
The man Enkidu, was meant to be the equal to Gilgamesh, and is Civilised after spending some time in the wild.
Gilgamesh does not succeed in his search for the Immortality of the Anunnaki Gods and returns to Uruk without the secret to Immortality and accepts his Human Fate as a Mortal King.
The Epic of Gilgamesh therefore addresses Human angst for the Immortality of the Anunnaki Gods by suggesting that Mankind’s role is to enjoy life and be present in its experience.
From this perspective, The Epic Of Gilgamesh is remarkable as one of the first pieces of Literature to deliver an enduring message to help Humans to reconcile ourselves with our Mortality for generations.