Epic of Gilgamesh – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major characters, places, gods, themes, and monomyth stages from the Epic of Gilgamesh lecture notes.

Epic of Gilgamesh

Ancient Mesopotamian poem about the demi-god king of Uruk; oldest surviving epic in world literature.

Gilgamesh

Two-thirds god, one-third man king of Uruk famed for strength, wisdom, tyranny, and his quest for immortality.

Enkidu

Wild man created by the gods to balance Gilgamesh; becomes his closest friend and catalyst for his growth.

Utnapishtim

Flood survivor granted eternal life by the gods; reveals the deluge story and tests Gilgamesh’s worthiness.

Humbaba

Demon guardian of the Cedar Forest slain by Gilgamesh and Enkidu with help from Shamash.

Bull of Heaven

Divine beast sent by Ishtar and Anu to punish Gilgamesh; killed by Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

Ishtar

Mesopotamian goddess of love and war who lusts after Gilgamesh and unleashes the Bull of Heaven when rejected.

Ea

God of wisdom who warns Utnapishtim about the impending flood, enabling humanity’s survival.

Enlil

God of earth, wind, and air; enraged by mankind and key instigator of the great flood.

Anu

Sky god, father of Ishtar, who authorizes release of the Bull of Heaven.

Shamash

Sun god who protects Gilgamesh and Enkidu, especially in their fight against Humbaba.

Siduri

Tavern keeper by the sea who counsels Gilgamesh to accept human limits and enjoy life.

Urshanabi

Ferryman of the Waters of Death who transports Gilgamesh to Utnapishtim.

Uruk

Sumerian city-state in Mesopotamia ruled by Gilgamesh; famed for massive defensive walls.

Sumer

Ancient civilization in southern Mesopotamia; birthplace of cuneiform writing and Gilgamesh’s realm.

Cuneiform

Wedge-shaped writing system of Mesopotamia; medium in which the earliest Gilgamesh tablets were inscribed.

Ashurbanipal

Assyrian king (668–627 BCE); his library at Nineveh preserved the most complete Akkadian version of the epic.

Hormuzd Rassam

19th-century Assyriologist who unearthed the Gilgamesh tablets from Ashurbanipal’s library.

Nineveh

Ancient Assyrian capital whose ruins yielded the 12 Akkadian tablets of the epic.

Flood Myth (Mesopotamian)

Story within the epic where the gods attempt to destroy mankind; precursor to later Biblical flood narratives.

Immortality Quest

Gilgamesh’s journey after Enkidu’s death to overcome mortality and gain eternal life.

Cedar Forest

Sacred woodland forbidden to mortals; site of Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s battle with Humbaba.

Monomyth (Hero’s Journey)

Joseph Campbell’s narrative pattern of departure, initiation, and return exemplified by Gilgamesh’s adventures.

Apotheosis

Stage in the hero’s journey signifying elevation or enlightenment; Gilgamesh achieves insight after Enkidu’s death.

Ultimate Boon

Great reward sought by the hero; for Gilgamesh, the secret of everlasting life.

Call to Adventure

Initial summons to leave the ordinary world; Gilgamesh’s tyranny evokes divine intervention leading to quests.

Belly of the Whale

Threshold phase where the hero enters a dangerous unknown; Gilgamesh’s passage through mountain Mashu.

Road of Trials

Series of tests the hero faces; includes Humbaba, Bull of Heaven, and endurance challenges.

Return Threshold

Point where the hero re-enters ordinary life with new wisdom; Gilgamesh’s arrival back in Uruk.

Master of Two Worlds

Hero’s ability to balance mortal and transcendental realms; Gilgamesh accepts mortality while honoring human legacy.

Freedom to Live

Final monomyth stage marked by peace with life’s limits; Gilgamesh reconciles to human fate.

Mashu

Twin-peaked mountain guarded by scorpion men that Gilgamesh traverses to reach Utnapishtim.

Scorpion Men

Mythic guardians of Mashu’s gate who allow Gilgamesh to continue his journey.

Snake (Plant Thief)

Serpent that steals the rejuvenating plant, shedding its skin and symbolizing lost immortality.

Plant of Rejuvenation

Underwater herb called “The Old Man Becomes a Young Man” that could restore youth; stolen from Gilgamesh.

Adad

Mesopotamian storm and thunder god mentioned among divine figures in the epic.