Journaling
Day 1
The great and mighty Gilgamesh, blessed by the Sun God, was the undefeated king. He took away Children, all of them girls, from his people. Wives, maidens, daughters, and all were removed from their father’s worlds. The people prayed to their gods, asking for someone, a mighty hero, who could defeat their wretched king. The gods answered their plea, but not quite in the way that they expected. A wild and savage man, raised on the milk of wild beasts, he who ate of the grass with the gazelle, and was formed of clay, made to kill the king, Gilgamesh. One day hunter came to a watering hole there he gazed at the wild yet mighty Enkidu. For three days he came face to face with this strange yet gentle creature. The hunter went back to his home and told a fellow sheppard about what he had seen. The sheppard told him to go to the king, the strong willed Gilgamesh, and tell him of his situation. He did so and came back with a harlot, a child of pleasure. He told her, the harlot, about his situation. She knew what to do. They waited by the watering hole for two days. On day three, it happened. After lying with the harlot, Enkidu found that he has lost his strength. The animals rejected him. He was lost in despair. After a time he decided to live a man’s life. He did not lose all of his incredible strength. In fact he was able to drive away and kill a lion that had been killing sheep belonging to the sheppards. After living with the sheppards for some time a messenger of the king came to where Enkidu was currently living. Enkidu asked the harlot, who is that man and why has he come. The harlot went to the messenger and asked him who he was and why he was here. The messenger spoke to Enkidu saying, lord and king Gilgamesh is getting married to the goddess of love. Enkidu decided that now would be a good time to fulfill his destiny. He went and challenged the king. They fought for hours. Things broke under their weight. It all happened so fast. Soon enough Gilgamesh got his foot on the ground and threw Enkidu on the ground.
Day 2
Gilgamesh and Enkidu who were made to be enemies became friends. On one day, Gilgamesh told Enkidu of his dream. Enkidu then told king Gilgamesh what his dream meant. The warrior told his king that his dream meant that Gilgamesh was granted great power by the gods. He was blessed with unbelievable power by the gods. But not to use this gift unwisely. After considering it for some time, the king came to a conclusion. He decided that he would rid the world of an evil that had been haunting the town of Uruk from before the time of recorded history. After offering two goats to the sun god, he gained seven magical items from the sun god, Shamash. After this he went and watched the smiths forge his weapons using the seven special items. Gilgamesh was given a bow, an axe, and a sword; all of these were forged for him and especially for this mission. Gilgamesh and Enkidu prepared to leave the city when the counsel stopped them. They told them of the danger, of which they were already aware. Gilgamesh then addressed his comrade Enkidu. Shall I tell them that I am afraid? Let us go to Ninsun she is wise and can tell us what we should do. They did so. When they arrived they spoke with Ninsun. Ninsun prayed to Shamash for protection over her son. After she did so, she sent them off on their perilous journey. The town’s folk could not convince the mighty heroes to stay. So off they went. Off to slay the evil and strong Humbaba. They journeyed for two days before they reached the forest gate. They had traveled 100 leagues in that time and were about to chop down the cedar that was protected by Humbaba. After they chopped down the mighty cedar, the tree fell down. Humbaba heard its crash and came running towards the two who dared to enter his dominion. Enkidu froze with fear for he knew the monster and he had seen him before. But the mighty Gilgamesh, who had met no match in his life, stood firm and prepared for battle. He told his good friend Enkidu that if they retreated now that they would have lost the battle. So Enkidu was convinced to stay. First Gilgamesh prayed to the sun god. He asked for help and help was given. The creature that was made to guard the tree was stuck in between the winds. The creature was terrifying. His breath was like fire. His teeth were death. His power was unbelievable. He told the king that he would serve him if only he would remove his wrath. The kind was slightly convinced. His friend and comrade however, was not. After a debate they decided to destroy the evil creature. After they did that they made a pile of wood from the trees, which the guardian of the tree used for his house. They put on this pile the head and body of the mighty foe. By doing this they angered the god Enlil. And he took the seven items belonging to Humbaba and hid them around the world.
