Sumer is considered to be the earliest known civilization in the region of southern Mesopotamia and also one of the greatest civilizations to exist. I always have been fond of literature, and Sumerians are known for their tremendous contribution to the development of ancient poetry. The Epic of Gilgamesh, the earliest surviving piece of literature in the world, is an epic poem written on Sumerian clay tablets. The epic discusses the life of the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh, and his friend Enkidu, a wild beast sent by gods to free the people of Uruk from Gilgamesh’s tyranny.
What is unique about this story is that it illustrates the values of Sumerian people that resonated with me. Enkidu did not accomplish his mission, and after losing in the battle with Gilgamesh, he became friends with him. The intricacies of their friendship are what stood out to me: after making peace, they both realize their faults. Gilgamesh helped Enkidu become civilized, and Enkidu assisted Gilgamesh in becoming a better and just king for his people.
The Epic of Gilgamesh touches upon a variety of subjects, including mortality, the inevitability of death, and the desire for knowledge. At the beginning of the epic, Enkidu dies, and Gilgamesh, devastated by the event, undertakes a journey looking for the secret of immortality. Despite that Gilgamesh fails to find it, he learns that there is a reason why death is ordained to humanity by gods. It made me think about how the Sumerians in 2100 BC were trying to explain the nature of humans through literary expression. Searching for meaning and creating art lies at the core of human nature; storytelling is an essential part of what makes us humans. Even back then, people were trying to understand our place in the universe. Knowing that every other civilization was asking the same questions creates a connection between the past and the future.