Gilgames

/ˈɡɪlɡəmeɪz/ noun

Definition

A legendary Sumerian king and hero of one of the world's oldest known epics, famous for his quest for immortality and his friendship with Enkidu.

Etymology

From Sumerian Gilgameš, a historical king of Uruk (circa 2750 BCE) whose deeds were mythologized in cuneiform literature. The name likely means 'the ancestor is a hero' in Sumerian. The Epic of Gilgamesh became famous as one of humanity's oldest written stories.

Kelly Says

Gilgamesh's story, written on clay tablets over 4,000 years ago, contains a flood narrative strikingly similar to Noah's ark—showing how ancient cultures shared similar myths and concerns about human mortality and divine punishment.

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