Gilgamesh is a semi-mythical king of Uruk, an ancient city of Mesopotamia,

 Gilgamesh is a semi-mythical king of Uruk, an ancient city of Mesopotamia, and is best known as the star of the first epic poem ever written, the Epic of Gilgamesh, where he searches for immortality after the death of his friend Enkidu. Even though this figure has taken on legendary status, it is widely agreed that Gilgamesh was a historical person, and the 5th king of Uruk who reigned in the twenty-sixth century BCE. His influence was profound, and myths of the king developed and ultimately led to the Epic of Gilgamesh written between 700 and 1000 years after the life of the historical Gilgamesh.



The Epic of Gilgamesh is a tale that grapples with the meaning of life and the fear, not so much of death, but of meaninglessness. Gilgamesh grappling with the death of his friend and the questions it evokes resonates with every human who has wrestled with the meaning of life when faced with death. Although inevitably the character of Gilgamesh does not achieve immortality, his quest gives his life meaning and the fact that we are still talking about him four thousand years later proves that he did, in fact, attain immortality.

Image: Possible representation of Gilgamesh as Master of Animals, grasping a lion in his left arm and snake in his right hand, in an Assyrian palace relief (713–706 BC), from Dur-Sharrukin, now held in the Louvre

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