Gilgeam the Horse-Eater: Difference between revisions

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Despondent and afraid, Gilgeam retreats into a large cave where he broods for ten thousand years. At long last Gilgeam wakes from his reverie and begins clawing at the muddy floor of his cave, digging down and down. In the depths of the world he constructs a secret chamber, where even the gods cannot see him. Using the boon of Sentience, Gilgeam fashions the first woman out of mud; in this way he defies the gods and their dictate against creating new life. Gilgeam breathes into her, giving her half of the Light of Life still within him, halving his lifespan. Gilgeam also shares his boon of Sentience and part of his heart, further reducing his lifespan. He gives the first woman the name of Ahunatum, and makes her his wife. Eventually Gilgeam and Ahunatum leave the chamber of creation and return to the surface world, here they procreate and have a multitude of children. Upon seeing what Gilgeam's defiance has wrought, the gods are filled with rage. They send a shower of thunderbolts to destroy Gilgeam's home but he catches them in his hands and uses them to create the first fire. Next the gods send a great flood from the east, intending to wash out Gilgeam and his brood. Gilgeam puts his hands into the ground and pulls with all his might, pulling a part of the world into place as mountains that stop the incoming waves. The mountains referenced here are believed to represent the Arik mountain range that stands between [[Rusana]] and [[Daxia]]. Undeterred, the gods sent a multitude of snakes to eat Gilgeam, who thwarts this by hopping atop a large rock and rolling it around, crushing all of the snakes. Gilgeam then plucks out the snakes's eyes and plants them, creating the first fruit trees.

Tired of the gods and their petty schemes, Gilgeam resolved to strike back against his oppressors. He decided to kill Enunu, a winged steed beloved by the gods for his beauty and grace. He stalked Enunu all the way to where it slept at the top of a mountain. To avoid being detected by Enunu's powerful ~~nose~~, Gilgeam put mint herbs on his hair. Gilgeam killed Enunu by striking it in the temple with a sharpened rock and afterwards dragged the carcass to his home. Once there he gathered all his descendants about him and the dead Enunu whereupon he set upon the corpse with a knife, carving himself a generous portion of its meat and instructing his brood to take from the gods as they pleased for the gods would give them nothing willingly. In this moment his brood stopped calling him Father and instead began calling him King. Gilgeam also took the wings of Enunu for himself, using them to soar through the sky, further showing his defiance of his creators. Gilgeam called the city that was growing outside his home Nasrad, which in the ancient tongue of that city meant the ''Mouth of Creation'', for it sat outside the mouth of the cave where Gilgeam created Ahunatum. After five thousand years of defending [[Nasrad]] against the depredations of the gods, Gilgeam grew tired and knew the Life within him was ebbing away faster than ever before. To save his progeny and protect them, he resolved to make a bargain with the gods: exchange his Life and that of his beloved wife Ahunatum, for the forgiveness of the gods towards his progeny. After spending a last moment together, Ahunatum breathed the Light of Life inside her back to Gilgeam, dying as a result. Filled with grief, Gilgeam next he climbed to the top of Mount Urum and made his bargain with the gods, surrendering his life for all his children who are mankind.

Tired of the gods and their petty schemes, Gilgeam resolved to strike back against his oppressors. He decided to kill Enunu, a winged steed beloved by the gods for his beauty and grace. He stalked Enunu all the way to where it slept at the top of a mountain. To avoid being detected by Enunu's powerful sense of smell, Gilgeam put mint herbs on his hair. Gilgeam killed Enunu by striking it in the temple with a sharpened rock and afterwards dragged the carcass to his home. Once there he gathered all his descendants about him and the dead Enunu whereupon he set upon the corpse with a knife, carving himself a generous portion of its meat and instructing his brood to take from the gods as they pleased for the gods would give them nothing willingly. In this moment his brood stopped calling him Father and instead began calling him King. Gilgeam also took the wings of Enunu for himself, using them to soar through the sky, further showing his defiance of his creators. Gilgeam called the city that was growing outside his home Nasrad, which in the ancient tongue of that city meant the ''Mouth of Creation'', for it sat outside the mouth of the cave where Gilgeam created Ahunatum. After five thousand years of defending [[Nasrad]] against the depredations of the gods, Gilgeam grew tired and knew the Life within him was ebbing away faster than ever before. To save his progeny and protect them, he resolved to make a bargain with the gods: exchange his Life and that of his beloved wife Ahunatum, for the forgiveness of the gods towards his progeny. After spending a last moment together, Ahunatum breathed the Light of Life inside her back to Gilgeam, dying as a result. Filled with grief, Gilgeam next he climbed to the top of Mount Urum and made his bargain with the gods, surrendering his life for all his children who are mankind.

==Artifacts==

Gilgeam is usually depicted as a warrior king, with an armored tunic embroidered with patterns of royalty and divinity, the helm-crown of kings, his sword Anzû sheathed and in his hands, the two thunderbolts he stole with from the gods. On his left hand he wears a gold bracelet upon which is mounted the desiccated eye of the beast of many limbs. On the rare depictions that have been found of Gilgeam seated upon a throne, he is clothed in the very same manner but carries no weapons, instead he holds a scepter of office to represent his kingship on his right hand and a plume of fire on the left.

==Feats==

The feats of Gilgeam are described in the Tablets of Fate and in other, lesser sources found in temples and vaults of Rusana's pre-Islamic civilization. An incomplete list of said feats below:

* Slew the beast of many limbs by tearing apart its body and created Mount Urum from its remains

* Created the first human woman, his wife Ahunatum and began humanity with her

* Created the first fruit trees and vegetables by planting snake eyes into the dirt

* Raised the Arik mountains with his bare hands to stop the Godswave

==Historical sites linked to Gilgeam==

The cult dedicated to worshipping Gilgeam was the largest in ancient [[Nasrad]] and even after the destruction of the Muslim conquest, there are many structures and other architectural remnants of temples and fanes across [[Rusana]].

===The Bladed Altar===

[[File:Ziggarat_of_Ur_001.jpg|thumb|The Bladed Altar in Radan governorate]]

The Bladed Altar is a Nasrid ziggurat in present-day Radan governorate. It was raised around the 20th century BC by King Enmeragabisi the Hierophant. It is believed the structure was used for the ritualistic sacrifice of animals to Gilgeam. The sacrifice of a precious animal was believed to be an emulation of Gilgeam's ultimate sacrifice, it was carried out as a homage to him. The small altar at the top is the color of dried blood despite the passage of time and the erosion of being exposed to the weather. Inside the structure a cuneiform cylinder with ten faces was found, inscribed upon it are tallies of the number and species of animals sacrificed over a span of fifty years. The cylinder is believed to have been only one of a number of records of such that the priesthood of Gilgeam kept, however only the one has been found. The altar measures 64 m (210 ft) in length, 45 m (148 ft) in width and over 30 m (98 ft) in height. The height is mere speculation, as only the foundations of the ziggurat have survived and it is entirely possible it was much higher when it was first constructed. The altar is located 5km north of [[Nasrad]], traces of an ancient road linking both sites have been uncovered, giving credence to the theory that the altar was used only on special occasions that necessitated preparation and significant travel time.

The Bladed Altar is a Nasrid ziggurat in present-day Radan governorate. It was raised around the 20th century BC by King Enmeragabisi the Hierophant. It is believed the structure was used for the ritualistic sacrifice of animals to Gilgeam. The sacrifice of a precious animal was believed to be an emulation of Gilgeam's ultimate sacrifice, it was carried out as a homage to him. The small altar at the top is the color of dried blood despite the passage of time and the erosion of being exposed to the weather. Inside the structure a cuneiform cylinder with ten faces was found, inscribed upon it are tallies of the number and species of animals sacrificed over a span of fifty years. The cylinder is believed to have been only one of a number of records of such that the priesthood of Gilgeam kept, however only the one has been found. The altar measures 64 m (210 ft) in length, 45 m (148 ft) in width and over 30 m (98 ft) in height. The height is mere speculation, as only the foundations of the ziggurat have survived and it is entirely possible it was much higher when it was first constructed. The altar is located 5km north of [[Nasrad]], traces of an ancient road linking both sites have been uncovered, giving credence to the theory that the altar was used only on special occasions that necessitated preparation and significant travel time. The main staircase of the altar was damaged during the [[Rusani Civil War]] when an artillery shell landed some meters from it, knocking some of the brickwork loose; the damage was later fixed after the war.

===Mouth of Creation===

[[File:Cave entrance at Bell Caves.jpg|thumb|The cave reputed to be the one where Gilgeam took shelter is today a tourist attraction known as the Mouth of Creation]]

The mythical cave where Gilgeam is said to have hidden from the gods for ten thousand years is called the Mouth of Creation. Ancient sources placed it as a limestone cave near the city of [[Nasrad]]. The cave is a large circular chamber with a high ceiling, the chamber is exposed to the outside and as a result its walls have become smooth due to the flow of air. The cave is made mostly of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. If there ever existed the tunnel to the fabled Chamber of Creation where Gilgeam created his wife Ahunatum, any record of it has been lost to time.

The cave has continuously functioned as a site of religious pilgrimage for hundreds of years, the Nasrid king Xvim the Black is reputed to have visited the cave and left chests filled with gold and the newborn foal of his most prized steed as tributes to Gilgeam. During the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] conquest the cave and tunnels adjacent to it are known to have served as a refuge for people escaping the war or refusing to convert to Islam. In the present day access to the cave is more regulated, both pilgrims and tourists must acquire a day permit with a cost of 400 darics to visit, taking pictures is not permitted nor is taking any dirt or stones from the site as souvenirs.

The cave has continuously functioned as a site of religious pilgrimage for hundreds of years, the Nasrid king Xvim the Black is reputed to have visited the cave and left chests filled with gold and the newborn foal of his most prized steed as tributes to Gilgeam. During the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] conquest the cave and tunnels adjacent to it are known to have served as a refuge for people escaping the war or refusing to convert to Islam. In the present day access to the cave is more regulated, both pilgrims and tourists must acquire a day permit with a cost of 400 darics to visit, taking pictures is not permitted nor is taking any dirt or stones from the site as souvenirs. A guide is also present with the visitors at all times to prevent wandering, people are known to have wandered into side passages that lead to dangerous pitfalls or simply have gotten lost in the dark and going missing.

==Cultural Significance==

[[File:Impression_of_an_Akkadian_cylinder_seal_with_inscription_The_Divine_Sharkalisharri_Prince_of_Akkad_Ibni-Sharrum_the_Scribe_his_servant.jpg|thumb|Relief of Gilgeam who has parted himself into two beings in order to tame the first bull and cow simultaneously, for humanity]]

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 Despondent and afraid, Gilgeam retreats into a large cave where he broods for ten thousand years. At long last Gilgeam wakes from his reverie and begins clawing at the muddy floor of his cave, digging down and down. In the depths of the world he constructs a secret chamber, where even the gods cannot see him. Using the boon of Sentience, Gilgeam fashions the first woman out of mud; in this way he defies the gods and their dictate against creating new life. Gilgeam breathes into her, giving her half of the Light of Life still within him, halving his lifespan. Gilgeam also shares his boon of Sentience and part of his heart, further reducing his lifespan. He gives the first woman the name of Ahunatum, and makes her his wife. Eventually Gilgeam and Ahunatum leave the chamber of creation and return to the surface world, here they procreate and have a multitude of children. Upon seeing what Gilgeam's defiance has wrought, the gods are filled with rage. They send a shower of thunderbolts to destroy Gilgeam's home but he catches them in his hands and uses them to create the first fire. Next the gods send a great flood from the east, intending to wash out Gilgeam and his brood. Gilgeam puts his hands into the ground and pulls with all his might, pulling a part of the world into place as mountains that stop the incoming waves. The mountains referenced here are believed to represent the Arik mountain range that stands between [[Rusana]] and [[Daxia]]. Undeterred, the gods sent a multitude of snakes to eat Gilgeam, who thwarts this by hopping atop a large rock and rolling it around, crushing all of the snakes. Gilgeam then plucks out the snakes's eyes and plants them, creating the first fruit trees.
-Tired of the gods and their petty schemes, Gilgeam resolved to strike back against his oppressors. He decided to kill Enunu, a winged steed beloved by the gods for his beauty and grace. He stalked Enunu all the way to where it slept at the top of a mountain. To avoid being detected by Enunu's powerful nose, Gilgeam put mint herbs on his hair. Gilgeam killed Enunu by striking it in the temple with a sharpened rock and afterwards dragged the carcass to his home. Once there he gathered all his descendants about him and the dead Enunu whereupon he set upon the corpse with a knife, carving himself a generous portion of its meat and instructing his brood to take from the gods as they pleased for the gods would give them nothing willingly. In this moment his brood stopped calling him Father and instead began calling him King. Gilgeam also took the wings of Enunu for himself, using them to soar through the sky, further showing his defiance of his creators. Gilgeam called the city that was growing outside his home Nasrad, which in the ancient tongue of that city meant the ''Mouth of Creation'', for it sat outside the mouth of the cave where Gilgeam created Ahunatum. After five thousand years of defending [[Nasrad]] against the depredations of the gods, Gilgeam grew tired and knew the Life within him was ebbing away faster than ever before. To save his progeny and protect them, he resolved to make a bargain with the gods: exchange his Life and that of his beloved wife Ahunatum, for the forgiveness of the gods towards his progeny. After spending a last moment together, Ahunatum breathed the Light of Life inside her back to Gilgeam, dying as a result. Filled with grief, Gilgeam next he climbed to the top of Mount Urum and made his bargain with the gods, surrendering his life for all his children who are mankind.
+Tired of the gods and their petty schemes, Gilgeam resolved to strike back against his oppressors. He decided to kill Enunu, a winged steed beloved by the gods for his beauty and grace. He stalked Enunu all the way to where it slept at the top of a mountain. To avoid being detected by Enunu's powerful sense of smell, Gilgeam put mint herbs on his hair. Gilgeam killed Enunu by striking it in the temple with a sharpened rock and afterwards dragged the carcass to his home. Once there he gathered all his descendants about him and the dead Enunu whereupon he set upon the corpse with a knife, carving himself a generous portion of its meat and instructing his brood to take from the gods as they pleased for the gods would give them nothing willingly. In this moment his brood stopped calling him Father and instead began calling him King. Gilgeam also took the wings of Enunu for himself, using them to soar through the sky, further showing his defiance of his creators. Gilgeam called the city that was growing outside his home Nasrad, which in the ancient tongue of that city meant the ''Mouth of Creation'', for it sat outside the mouth of the cave where Gilgeam created Ahunatum. After five thousand years of defending [[Nasrad]] against the depredations of the gods, Gilgeam grew tired and knew the Life within him was ebbing away faster than ever before. To save his progeny and protect them, he resolved to make a bargain with the gods: exchange his Life and that of his beloved wife Ahunatum, for the forgiveness of the gods towards his progeny. After spending a last moment together, Ahunatum breathed the Light of Life inside her back to Gilgeam, dying as a result. Filled with grief, Gilgeam next he climbed to the top of Mount Urum and made his bargain with the gods, surrendering his life for all his children who are mankind.
 ==Artifacts==
 Gilgeam is usually depicted as a warrior king, with an armored tunic embroidered with patterns of royalty and divinity, the helm-crown of kings, his sword Anzû sheathed and in his hands, the two thunderbolts he stole with from the gods. On his left hand he wears a gold bracelet upon which is mounted the desiccated eye of the beast of many limbs. On the rare depictions that have been found of Gilgeam seated upon a throne, he is clothed in the very same manner but carries no weapons, instead he holds a scepter of office to represent his kingship on his right hand and a plume of fire on the left.
 ==Feats==
 The feats of Gilgeam are described in the Tablets of Fate and in other, lesser sources found in temples and vaults of Rusana's pre-Islamic civilization. An incomplete list of said feats below:
+* Slew the beast of many limbs by tearing apart its body and created Mount Urum from its remains
+* Created the first human woman, his wife Ahunatum and began humanity with her
+* Created the first fruit trees and vegetables by planting snake eyes into the dirt
+* Raised the Arik mountains with his bare hands to stop the Godswave
 ==Historical sites linked to Gilgeam==
 The cult dedicated to worshipping Gilgeam was the largest in ancient [[Nasrad]] and even after the destruction of the Muslim conquest, there are many structures and other architectural remnants of temples and fanes across [[Rusana]].
 ===The Bladed Altar===
 [[File:Ziggarat_of_Ur_001.jpg|thumb|The Bladed Altar in Radan governorate]]
-The Bladed Altar is a Nasrid ziggurat in present-day Radan governorate. It was raised around the 20th century BC by King Enmeragabisi the Hierophant. It is believed the structure was used for the ritualistic sacrifice of animals to Gilgeam. The sacrifice of a precious animal was believed to be an emulation of Gilgeam's ultimate sacrifice, it was carried out as a homage to him. The small altar at the top is the color of dried blood despite the passage of time and the erosion of being exposed to the weather. Inside the structure a cuneiform cylinder with ten faces was found, inscribed upon it are tallies of the number and species of animals sacrificed over a span of fifty years. The cylinder is believed to have been only one of a number of records of such that the priesthood of Gilgeam kept, however only the one has been found. The altar measures 64 m (210 ft) in length, 45 m (148 ft) in width and over 30 m (98 ft) in height. The height is mere speculation, as only the foundations of the ziggurat have survived and it is entirely possible it was much higher when it was first constructed. The altar is located 5km north of [[Nasrad]], traces of an ancient road linking both sites have been uncovered, giving credence to the theory that the altar was used only on special occasions that necessitated preparation and significant travel time.
+The Bladed Altar is a Nasrid ziggurat in present-day Radan governorate. It was raised around the 20th century BC by King Enmeragabisi the Hierophant. It is believed the structure was used for the ritualistic sacrifice of animals to Gilgeam. The sacrifice of a precious animal was believed to be an emulation of Gilgeam's ultimate sacrifice, it was carried out as a homage to him. The small altar at the top is the color of dried blood despite the passage of time and the erosion of being exposed to the weather. Inside the structure a cuneiform cylinder with ten faces was found, inscribed upon it are tallies of the number and species of animals sacrificed over a span of fifty years. The cylinder is believed to have been only one of a number of records of such that the priesthood of Gilgeam kept, however only the one has been found. The altar measures 64 m (210 ft) in length, 45 m (148 ft) in width and over 30 m (98 ft) in height. The height is mere speculation, as only the foundations of the ziggurat have survived and it is entirely possible it was much higher when it was first constructed. The altar is located 5km north of [[Nasrad]], traces of an ancient road linking both sites have been uncovered, giving credence to the theory that the altar was used only on special occasions that necessitated preparation and significant travel time. The main staircase of the altar was damaged during the [[Rusani Civil War]] when an artillery shell landed some meters from it, knocking some of the brickwork loose; the damage was later fixed after the war.
 ===Mouth of Creation===
 [[File:Cave entrance at Bell Caves.jpg|thumb|The cave reputed to be the one where Gilgeam took shelter is today a tourist attraction known as the Mouth of Creation]]
 The mythical cave where Gilgeam is said to have hidden from the gods for ten thousand years is called the Mouth of Creation. Ancient sources placed it as a limestone cave near the city of [[Nasrad]]. The cave is a large circular chamber with a high ceiling, the chamber is exposed to the outside and as a result its walls have become smooth due to the flow of air. The cave is made mostly of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. If there ever existed the tunnel to the fabled Chamber of Creation where Gilgeam created his wife Ahunatum, any record of it has been lost to time.
-The cave has continuously functioned as a site of religious pilgrimage for hundreds of years, the Nasrid king Xvim the Black is reputed to have visited the cave and left chests filled with gold and the newborn foal of his most prized steed as tributes to Gilgeam. During the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] conquest the cave and tunnels adjacent to it are known to have served as a refuge for people escaping the war or refusing to convert to Islam. In the present day access to the cave is more regulated, both pilgrims and tourists must acquire a day permit with a cost of 400 darics to visit, taking pictures is not permitted nor is taking any dirt or stones from the site as souvenirs.
+The cave has continuously functioned as a site of religious pilgrimage for hundreds of years, the Nasrid king Xvim the Black is reputed to have visited the cave and left chests filled with gold and the newborn foal of his most prized steed as tributes to Gilgeam. During the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] conquest the cave and tunnels adjacent to it are known to have served as a refuge for people escaping the war or refusing to convert to Islam. In the present day access to the cave is more regulated, both pilgrims and tourists must acquire a day permit with a cost of 400 darics to visit, taking pictures is not permitted nor is taking any dirt or stones from the site as souvenirs. A guide is also present with the visitors at all times to prevent wandering, people are known to have wandered into side passages that lead to dangerous pitfalls or simply have gotten lost in the dark and going missing.
 ==Cultural Significance==
 [[File:Impression_of_an_Akkadian_cylinder_seal_with_inscription_The_Divine_Sharkalisharri_Prince_of_Akkad_Ibni-Sharrum_the_Scribe_his_servant.jpg|thumb|Relief of Gilgeam who has parted himself into two beings in order to tame the first bull and cow simultaneously, for humanity]]

Gilgeam the Horse-Eater: Difference between revisions

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