Gilgeam the Horse-Eater: Difference between revisions
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* Slew the Tiger of the Plains of Woe and used its skin, bones and sinew to build his abode | * Slew the Tiger of the Plains of Woe and used its skin, bones and sinew to build his abode | ||
* Slew the winged horse Enunu with a rock and took its wings | * Slew the winged horse Enunu with a rock and took its wings | ||
* Defended Nasrad for five thousand years | |||
==Historical sites linked to Gilgeam== | ==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 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]]. | ||
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===Gilgeam's Ascent=== | ===Gilgeam's Ascent=== | ||
[[File:Malwiya_Minaret_(30553349415).jpg|thumb|Photograph of Gilgeam's Ascent near the city of Etana]] | [[File:Malwiya_Minaret_(30553349415).jpg|thumb|Photograph of Gilgeam's Ascent near the city of Etana]] | ||
Gilgeam's Ascent is a shrine dedicated to Gilgeam's own climb of Mount Urum at the end of his life. It is believed to have been built in 128 BC during the reign of King Pu-Nergal with royal funding. Its likely that during Pu-Nergal's reign and that of his immediate successors, Gilgeam's Ascent was used for human sacrifice. Pu-Nergal is recorded as believing that sacrificing animals was impure and did not show proper reverence to Gilgeam. By sacrificing the hearts of people, Gilgeam's own halved heart would one day be restored to its original size. Pu-Nergal's view was not challenged during his lifetime, leading up to the sacrifices of slaves and political enemies. Pu-Nergal's great-grandson Pu-Zuzu repudiated his ancestor's practice and posthumously condemned him to be reburied in an unmarked grave for his sin. | Gilgeam's Ascent is a shrine dedicated to Gilgeam's own climb of Mount Urum at the end of his life. It is believed to have been built in 128 BC during the reign of King Pu-Nergal with royal funding. Its likely that during Pu-Nergal's reign and that of his immediate successors, Gilgeam's Ascent was used for human sacrifice. Pu-Nergal is recorded as believing that sacrificing animals was impure and did not show proper reverence to Gilgeam. By sacrificing the hearts of people, Gilgeam's own halved heart would one day be restored to its original size. Pu-Nergal's view was not challenged during his lifetime, leading up to the sacrifices of slaves and political enemies. Pu-Nergal's great-grandson Pu-Zuzu repudiated his ancestor's practice and posthumously condemned him to be reburied in an unmarked grave for his sin. There is a relief image near the bottom of the staircase of Pu-Nergal being held upside down by a grotesque goat-man hybrid, his supposed punishment in the afterlife. | ||
The shrine is 52 meters (171 ft) tall and 33 meters (108 ft) wide and is surrounded by a spiral staircase, there is a small shrine at the top with a short pillar in the middle atop which sits a flame beacon. Pilgrims ascend the 785 steps late at night and pray near the beacon until the sun comes up before descending. In this manner they mimic and honor Gilgeam's moonlit climb up Mount Urum to commune with the gods. Making the ascent is not without its risks for pilgrims, the spiral staircase has no railing, when it rains the steps are slippery and some have eroded and crumbled away. The steep climb is taxing on even healthy individuals, older pilgrims have been known to die partway through the ascent and several people have fallen from the staircase to their deaths. | The shrine is 52 meters (171 ft) tall and 33 meters (108 ft) wide and is surrounded by a spiral staircase, there is a small shrine at the top with a short pillar in the middle atop which sits a flame beacon. Pilgrims ascend the 785 steps late at night and pray near the beacon until the sun comes up before descending. In this manner they mimic and honor Gilgeam's moonlit climb up Mount Urum to commune with the gods. Making the ascent is not without its risks for pilgrims, the spiral staircase has no railing, when it rains the steps are slippery and some have eroded and crumbled away. The steep climb is taxing on even healthy individuals, older pilgrims have been known to die partway through the ascent and several people have fallen from the staircase to their deaths. | ||
==Cultural Significance== | ==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]] | [[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]] | ||
Despite the mythology describing him as a partially divine construct of the gods, Gilgeam was worshipped as the chief deity and protector of [[Nasrad]], the god of humanity, sacrifice and strength. | Despite the mythology describing him as a partially divine construct of the gods, Gilgeam was worshipped as the chief deity and protector of [[Nasrad]], the god of humanity, sacrifice and strength. During the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] conquest the followers of other gods accepted Islam with various degrees of reluctance but the people of [[Nasrad]] and the surrounding regions would cling to the worship of Gilgeam ferociously. His followers would flee into the wild to continue their worship, or rigged their temples in the cities to collapse when Muslim soldiers came to harass them. The invading Muslims saw no choice but to surreptitiously integrate him and only him into Islam. Gilgeam's mythos represents the indomitable will of man to persevere through adversity and ultimately thrive. The survival of the cult of Gilgeam and its adoption into local Islamic doctrine reflects a more pragmatic side of early [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] commanders campaigning in the frontiers, being far from the imperial metropole, keeping the peace was more important than theological stricture. This equation allowed elements of [[Rusana]]'s pre-Islamic culture and religion to survive to the present day. | ||
Modern day Rusani celebrate the life and sacrifice of Gilgeam as the Festival of Sacrifice (Jashnvareh Eesaar), four days of festivities. On the first day takes place the Feast of Enunu, where a horse is sacrificed and its flesh is cooked and shared by all in the community; mosques and municipalities set up large tents to feed those who cannot sacrifice a horse of their own. On the second day take place the Feats of Strength, where the men of the community participate in various activities such as tug of war and wrestling. This is meant to keep the men fit and strong, as Gilgeam was known to be. The third day is spent in prayers at the mosque, thanking God for sending Gilgeam to protect the world before the Prophet was revealed. The fourth day is a day of quiet, personal reflection on the trials Gilgeam faced and his ultimate sacrifice. The Jashnvareh Eesaar is a recognized festivity by the government and as such all who observe it have a right to four days off from their work. | Modern day Rusani celebrate the life and sacrifice of Gilgeam as the Festival of Sacrifice (Jashnvareh Eesaar), four days of festivities. On the first day takes place the Feast of Enunu, where a horse is sacrificed and its flesh is cooked and shared by all in the community; mosques and municipalities set up large tents to feed those who cannot sacrifice a horse of their own. On the second day take place the Feats of Strength, where the men of the community participate in various activities such as tug of war and wrestling. This is meant to keep the men fit and strong, as Gilgeam was known to be. The third day is spent in prayers at the mosque, thanking God for sending Gilgeam to protect the world before the Prophet was revealed. The fourth day is a day of quiet, personal reflection on the trials Gilgeam faced and his ultimate sacrifice. The Jashnvareh Eesaar is a recognized festivity by the government and as such all who observe it have a right to four days off from their work. | ||
[[Category:Rusana]] | [[Category:Rusana]] | ||
[[Category:Culture]] | [[Category:Culture]] | ||