GILGAMESH

Many thousands of years ago, when the human race was just becoming aware of itself, there lived in the city of Erech a great king named Gilgamesh. Unlike any other man, Gilgamesh was the son of the goddess Ninsun and the mortal king Lugalbanda. Two-thirds divine and one third mortal, he stood eleven cubits tall.

With such a divine heritage, the king was motivated by unimaginable ambition, and it was his intent to make his city as far above the other cities of the world as he was above other men. He conscripted the labor of his people, and kept them working day and night. Laws and traditions were disregarded by the tyrant in his quest for glory and the young women of the city he claimed as his own by right. The people of the city began to cry out to the gods in their oppression: "Gilgamesh leaves not the son to his father, the maiden to the warrior, nor the wife to her husband." To the goddess Aruru, the maker and shaper of all mankind, they cried: "You have shaped the tyrannical Gilgamesh; now fashion a rival for him, that we may be delivered from our oppression."

Innocent and untainted by contact with humankind, Enkidu was covered with hair from the crown of his head to the top of his feet. Whereas Gilgamesh was two-thirds divine, it seemed as if the better portion of Enkidu was bestial in nature. He was suckled by the creatures of the forest, understood their languages, and as he grew to maturity he regarded himself as the guardian of the all wild things. When he came across a snare he would spring it and when he came across an animal in a trap he would release it. Frequently he would terrify the hunters themselves as they lay in wait at the waterholes.

Enkidu had terrified one such hunter on three different occasions, and the woodsman soon complained to his father concerning the strange creature stalking the forests and interfering with his livelihood. The father informed the hunter that only King Gilgamesh would be courageous enough to overcome such a creature and the young man must journey to Uruk and petition the King for assistance.

Gilgamesh took counsel with his chief advisors and came upon a plan of action. What better way to tame a wild man, than with a wild woman? So he went to the temple of Inanna, the goddess of love, and asked for the assistance of their most talented prostitute, a young priestess named Shamhat.

"Go into the northern wilderness," Gilgamesh instructed Shamhat, "and there you will find a man unlike any other. An untamed man, never gentled by the touch of a woman. When Enkidu comes down to drink water with his bestial companions, throw off your garment. He will be drawn to you and away from the animals. Surely a woman such as yourself will be able to awaken within him a consciousness of his manhood!"

He finally wearied, arose from his bed, and went down to the stream to drink and bathe. As he drew near, all the animals fled and he realized that he could no longer understand their languages. In confusion he returned to the priestess.

"You are a man, now, Enkidu," she told him, "and you can no longer live the life of an animal. You must return with me to the city of Erech and be presented in the temple of Inanna. There you will meet the great King Gilgamesh, the only man in the world that is your equal."

That night, Gilgamesh began to dream, and in his dream a star fell from the heavens and landed in the center of the city of Erech. All the people of the city gathered around the celestial object and because of its brilliance they did not even notice as the king walked among them. The king tried to lift it, but it would not move.

The king then had a second dream in which an ax was found in the city of Erech. Again, all the people were gathered around the ax. Gilgamesh awoke from his dream in a sweat, and the following morning he went to the palace to consult his divine mother concerning the nightmares. Ninsun informed the king that he should relax, for the dreams were a divine omen foretelling of the coming of the friend and equal for whom Gilgamesh had longed all his life. The anxiety of the king, however, was not diminished, for it seemed that the dream indicated that the coming "friend" would supplant him in his lordship over the people.

Even as this took place, Enkidu arose, and together he and the priestess began the long journey back to Erech. As they traveled they met a group of shepherds whose flocks had been ravaged by lions. The shepherds offered the travelers a meal of bread and beer, but Enkidu refused. Again, the priestess intervened: "Remember, Enkidu, that you are a man. You can no longer eat grass like the gazelle or acorns like the boar. Take that which is offered and find your strength." Enkidu then ate the bread, and drank seven jugs of the finest beer the shepherds had to offer.

Enkidu then returned, and for a while he made his home among the shepherds. When the lions and wolves returned that night he them away. "Surely," the shepherds proclaimed, "Here is the answer to our prayers. Aruru has fashioned a rival for Gilgamesh and sent him as our deliverance!"

One day, as Enkidu was assisting the shepherds at their task, a man came down the road. Enkidu was puzzled by the man's sad countenance, and told Shaghat to tell the man to come into the shepherd's lodge and tell his story. The man was from Erech, and he related all of the oppression of Gilgamesh to Enkidu. Enkidu rose from the table and he was fearful to look upon. His eyes flashed with fire. "Take me to this tyrant!" He exclaimed, and I will bring his excesses to an end!" Shaghat looked deep into his smouldering eyes and with sadness told him that thus was ever meant to be his destiny. She would lead him to Erech and to Gilgamesh.

They arrived at Erech just as evening was falling, and as they made their way through the city towards the temple, the people gathering about the giant of the man proceeding through the streets. "Truly," they cried with one voice, "the gods have heard our cry and sent our deliverer!"

It just so happened that the arrival of Enkidu corresponded with Gilgamesh's nightly visit to the temple of Inanna in order to take his fill of the next day's brides. As he moved through the streets he saw the commotion that the arrival of Enkidu had caused and as he glanced toward the temple, he beheld the giant from the steppes barring his way.

The two great warriors meet, and a battle ensued the likes of which not even the gods had foreseen. The two mighty champions wrestle in the streets of Erech, until the city lay in ruin. Ultimately, Gilgamesh was able to subdue the mighty Enkidu, but as he looked into the eyes of the wild-man from the steppes he recognized a kinship he had never known before. In the gaze of an adversary he found a brother. The battle ceased . . . and while Enkidu recognized the lordship of Gilgamesh, he simultaneously chastised him for his oppressive kingship. At that moment something in the king changed forever. From then on he would rule with wisdom and kindness rather than as a tyrant.

As time passed, Gilgamesh became aware that, in spite of his divine heritage, he was also mortal and would one day follow lesser men into the embrace of death. He realizes that he must make a name for himself that will endure long after he has departed. He therefore determines in his heart that he will make his way into the mysterious "Land of the Living," and bring back its mighty cedar trees to adorn his city. He reveals his plan to Enkidu, who cautions him of its danger. "I have lived among the animals, Gilgamesh, where it is feared even to speak the name of Huwawa." Again and again Enkidu asked Gilgamesh to reconsider his desire. "The sacred cedars," Enkidu explained, "are guarded by the great monster Huwawa, and none may withstand his assault. His roaring is like the Great Flood itself! From the creature's flaming mouth comes death, and the forest itself is so great that it would take a man four years or more to walk across it. The great god Enlil himself appointed Huwawa as the guardian of the forest, and gave him the ability to hear a wild cow that if five days distant. Why would you desire to even attempt such a thing?"

Gilgamesh tried to comfort his friend, and said to Enkidu, "Dear brother, we are not like the gods, destined to live forever. We mortals cannot ascend into the heavens, and most of that which we do achieve is of no more consequence than the passing of the wind. Where is that hero-spirit that I know dwells within you? Follow me, and I will lead you. If we fall, at least we will be remembered for challenging that which no one else dared to challenge. Perhaps that is the only immortality we sons of the earth are destined to know!"

Then the elders of the city attempted to dissuade the king from his folly: "You are young, O King, and your reason is ever clouded by your passion. The reputation of Huwawa is terrible, and we fear that your thirst for glory is leading you into folly! Please, abandon this mad scheme!"

By this time, however, Gilgamesh was bristling with confidence, and he was convinced that with Enkidu at his side he would be victorious. "You all wound me with your words! As for my self, I have committed my heart to this task and set my hand to accomplishing my end. I have ordered my smiths and armories to prepare weapons for the undertaking, mighty axes and swords with handles of gold. I will bring down the sacred cedars and make for myself a name that will endure!

The elders then relented in their efforts: "You are our king, O Gilgamesh, though we fear for you in this undertaking. Nevertheless, your desire is our command. May the great god Utu keep you under his watchful eye until you find the glory you seek and stand once again in your beloved city of Erech!"

In spite of his misgivings, Enkidu vowed to follow his beloved friend even unto death. "At the very least," Enkidu told the king, "you must first inform Utu, the god of the sun, of your intent, and seek his blessing, for it is into his land that you propose to journey. I will offer a sacrifice and seek an omen for our journey."

Enkidu made his offering, and Gilgamesh interpreted the omen. "Alas, he cried, "though Utu himself has blessed our journey, we go forth into peril. The omen bodes ill, and I know now that I must travel along a road I do not know towards a destination I cannot comprehend.

Gilgamesh took the advise of his friend, offered a snow-white goat as a sacrifice, and petitioned Utu for his blessing, which he reluctantly grants. To aid Gilgamesh in his quest, Utu immobilizes seven demons which lived in the seven mountains between Erech and the land of the living. Rejoicing at the god's intervention, Gilgamesh assembles a company of fifty unattached warriors; men with neither mother nor home, and he sets out to accomplish his task.

The following day Gilgamesh stood at the great gate of the city and called the people unto him. They all sat down before him and he spoke the following words, "O, my men of Erech, I am about to take a long journey to the forest of sacred cedars where I will confront that which we dare not name. It as the name at which all the lands tremble, and if I am victorious then all the world will say 'How great are the men of Erech!' Grant me, my people, your blessing on my journey!" And all the people replied in unison, "May Utu protect you, and guide you, and bring you back safely to your city and your people!"

Then the elders of the city brought the king into their presence and offered him counsel on his journey, "Trust not only in your own strength, Gilgamesh, for Enkidu came into your life to protect you in times such as these. He is a mighty warrior, and he knows the roads and paths to the Mountain of Cedar. Let Utu, the mighty god of the sun guide you, and may the spirit of your father, King Lugalbanda watch over you. When you have slain your adversary, forget not to give thanks to the sun, and each time you take a drink of refreshing water remember that it is by his mercy that you are able to proceed."

The two warriors ascended to the steps of the great palace and respectfully greeted the mother of the King. "O my mother," cried Gilgamesh, "I must undertake a journey from which I may not return. Please intercede with Utu on my behalf, that I may meet my destiny with honor, for it is my desire to drive all that is hateful to Utu from the land." With those words, Gilgamesh and Enkidu took their leave of the Queen.

When they had departed, Ninsun went into her chamber. She then put on her ritual robe, and placed a sacred amulet around her neck, and upon the head she placed the tiara of Erech. She then went out into the palace grounds, ascended the stairs, and from the roof she offered incense to Utu, the god of the sun. As she raised her hands towards the sky, with a heavy heart she poured out her feelings to the heavens:

"Oh, great Utu! You have given me Gilgamesh as my son, but you have placed within him a restless heart and an irresistible will. Why have you placed it within his spirit to make this journey? Why must he confront Huwawa? I beseech you to watch over him as he travels the road by day, and may your spouse, Aya interceded with those who watch the night paths!"

She then called Enkidu to her side: "I did not carry you in my womb, Enkidu, but I now adopt you as my son. As have the priestesses and devotees of Gilgamesh have claimed you as their own, so I now claim you as my own. Protect the son whom I bore, he who I now name your brother." And saying these words she took the amulet from her own neck and placed it around the neck of Enkidu. Enkidu then left the Queen and quietly returned to the side of Gilgamesh.

The journey proves more terrible than either Gilgamesh or Enkidu had imagined. During the day they were tormented by the heat and terrain, and at night their sleep was haunted by nightmares. At one point Gilgamesh fell into such a deep, supernatural sleep that Enkidu was only able to awaken him with difficulty. Enkidu then begins to plead with Gilgamesh to abandon the mission.

Huwawa sees them coming from a distance and fastens "the eye of death" upon Gilgamesh and his company. Gilgamesh, however, is undeterred and sets about the business of felling the trees. Soon Huwawa is aroused against the men and a fierce struggle ensues. Gilgamesh, however, invokes the aid of the gods and the deity of the sun sends eight winds which imprison Huwawa. Knowing that he is beaten, Huwawa swears that he will become the slave of Gilgamesh, if only the king will spare his life. Gilgamesh is moved to pity and considers offering clemency to Huwawa. Enkidu, however, is still fearful of the monster and demands that it be destroyed. They behead the creature and offer its body to the Enlil and Ninlil.



		The Gilgamesh Cycle Paraphrased by Robert Shannon Sumner

	Still under developement. Projected completion date Oct. 2002

Many thousands of years ago, when the human race was just becoming aware of itself, there lived in the city of Erech a great king named Gilgamesh. Unlike any other man, Gilgamesh was the son of the goddess Ninsun and the mortal king Lugalbanda. Two-thirds divine and one third mortal, he stood eleven cubits tall. With such a divine heritage, the king was motivated by unimaginable ambition, and it was his intent to make his city as far above the other cities of the world as he was above other men. He conscripted the labor of his people, and kept them working day and night. Laws and traditions were disregarded by the tyrant in his quest for glory and the young women of the city he claimed as his own by right. The people of the city began to cry out to the gods in their oppression: "Gilgamesh leaves not the son to his father, the maiden to the warrior, nor the wife to her husband." To the goddess Aruru, the maker and shaper of all mankind, they cried: "You have shaped the tyrannical Gilgamesh; now fashion a rival for him, that we may be delivered from our oppression." Aruru heard the prayers of the discouraged people and pinched off a bit of clay in her divine workshop, kneaded it in her hands, shaped it into a human figure, and cast it to the earth. In the steppes of the north, towards the headwaters of the Euphrates river, the portion of clay shaped by Aruru fell to the ground, and from the place it had fallen there arose a being unlike any other......Enkidu. Innocent and untainted by contact with humankind, Enkidu was covered with hair from the crown of his head to the top of his feet. Whereas Gilgamesh was two-thirds divine, it seemed as if the better portion of Enkidu was bestial in nature. He was suckled by the creatures of the forest, understood their languages, and as he grew to maturity he regarded himself as the guardian of the all wild things. When he came across a snare he would spring it and when he came across an animal in a trap he would release it. Frequently he would terrify the hunters themselves as they lay in wait at the waterholes. Enkidu had terrified one such hunter on three different occasions, and the woodsman soon complained to his father concerning the strange creature stalking the forests and interfering with his livelihood. The father informed the hunter that only King Gilgamesh would be courageous enough to overcome such a creature and the young man must journey to Uruk and petition the King for assistance. Gilgamesh took counsel with his chief advisors and came upon a plan of action. What better way to tame a wild man, than with a wild woman? So he went to the temple of Inanna, the goddess of love, and asked for the assistance of their most talented prostitute, a young priestess named Shamhat. "Go into the northern wilderness," Gilgamesh instructed Shamhat, "and there you will find a man unlike any other. An untamed man, never gentled by the touch of a woman. When Enkidu comes down to drink water with his bestial companions, throw off your garment. He will be drawn to you and away from the animals. Surely a woman such as yourself will be able to awaken within him a consciousness of his manhood!" The priestess did as she was instructed, and things proceeded as Gilgamesh had forseen. For six days and seven nights Enkidu enjoyed the pleasures offered him by Shamhat. He finally wearied, arose from his bed, and went down to the stream to drink and bathe. As he drew near, all the animals fled and he realized that he could no longer understand their languages. In confusion he returned to the priestess. "You are a man, now, Enkidu," she told him, "and you can no longer live the life of an animal. You must return with me to the city of Erech and be presented in the temple of Inanna. There you will meet the great King Gilgamesh, the only man in the world that is your equal." That night, Gilgamesh began to dream, and in his dream a star fell from the heavens and landed in the center of the city of Erech. All the people of the city gathered around the celestial object and because of its brilliance they did not even notice as the king walked among them. The king tried to lift it, but it would not move. The king then had a second dream in which an ax was found in the city of Erech. Again, all the people were gathered around the ax. Gilgamesh awoke from his dream in a sweat, and the following morning he went to the palace to consult his divine mother concerning the nightmares. Ninsun informed the king that he should relax, for the dreams were a divine omen foretelling of the coming of the friend and equal for whom Gilgamesh had longed all his life. The anxiety of the king, however, was not diminished, for it seemed that the dream indicated that the coming "friend" would supplant him in his lordship over the people. Even as this took place, Enkidu arose, and together he and the priestess began the long journey back to Erech. As they traveled they met a group of shepherds whose flocks had been ravaged by lions. The shepherds offered the travelers a meal of bread and beer, but Enkidu refused. Again, the priestess intervened: "Remember, Enkidu, that you are a man. You can no longer eat grass like the gazelle or acorns like the boar. Take that which is offered and find your strength." Enkidu then ate the bread, and drank seven jugs of the finest beer the shepherds had to offer. He then rejoiced in his humanity, went to a nearby stream, and washed until the thick hair which covered his body fell into the water. Enkidu then returned, and for a while he made his home among the shepherds. When the lions and wolves returned that night he them away. "Surely," the shepherds proclaimed, "Here is the answer to our prayers. Aruru has fashioned a rival for Gilgamesh and sent him as our deliverance!" "Perhaps," said the prostitute, and she began to look at Enkidu through different eyes. One day, as Enkidu was assisting the shepherds at their task, a man came down the road. Enkidu was puzzled by the man's sad countenance, and told Shaghat to tell the man to come into the shepherd's lodge and tell his story. The man was from Erech, and he related all of the oppression of Gilgamesh to Enkidu. Enkidu rose from the table and he was fearful to look upon. His eyes flashed with fire. "Take me to this tyrant!" He exclaimed, and I will bring his excesses to an end!" Shaghat looked deep into his smouldering eyes and with sadness told him that thus was ever meant to be his destiny. She would lead him to Erech and to Gilgamesh. They arrived at Erech just as evening was falling, and as they made their way through the city towards the temple, the people gathering about the giant of the man proceeding through the streets. "Truly," they cried with one voice, "the gods have heard our cry and sent our deliverer!" It just so happened that the arrival of Enkidu corresponded with Gilgamesh's nightly visit to the temple of Inanna in order to take his fill of the next day's brides. As he moved through the streets he saw the commotion that the arrival of Enkidu had caused and as he glanced toward the temple, he beheld the giant from the steppes barring his way. "Alas," cried the king, "Here is the stone and the ax from my dreams!" For the first time in his life, the great hero Gilgamesh tasted fear. "If I do not overcome this adversary, I am undone!" The two great warriors meet, and a battle ensued the likes of which not even the gods had foreseen. The two mighty champions wrestle in the streets of Erech, until the city lay in ruin. Ultimately, Gilgamesh was able to subdue the mighty Enkidu, but as he looked into the eyes of the wild-man from the steppes he recognized a kinship he had never known before. In the gaze of an adversary he found a brother. The battle ceased . . . and while Enkidu recognized the lordship of Gilgamesh, he simultaneously chastised him for his oppressive kingship. At that moment something in the king changed forever. From then on he would rule with wisdom and kindness rather than as a tyrant. As time passed, Gilgamesh became aware that, in spite of his divine heritage, he was also mortal and would one day follow lesser men into the embrace of death. He realizes that he must make a name for himself that will endure long after he has departed. He therefore determines in his heart that he will make his way into the mysterious "Land of the Living," and bring back its mighty cedar trees to adorn his city. He reveals his plan to Enkidu, who cautions him of its danger. "I have lived among the animals, Gilgamesh, where it is feared even to speak the name of Huwawa." Again and again Enkidu asked Gilgamesh to reconsider his desire. "The sacred cedars," Enkidu explained, "are guarded by the great monster Huwawa, and none may withstand his assault. His roaring is like the Great Flood itself! From the creature's flaming mouth comes death, and the forest itself is so great that it would take a man four years or more to walk across it. The great god Enlil himself appointed Huwawa as the guardian of the forest, and gave him the ability to hear a wild cow that if five days distant. Why would you desire to even attempt such a thing?" Gilgamesh tried to comfort his friend, and said to Enkidu, "Dear brother, we are not like the gods, destined to live forever. We mortals cannot ascend into the heavens, and most of that which we do achieve is of no more consequence than the passing of the wind. Where is that hero-spirit that I know dwells within you? Follow me, and I will lead you. If we fall, at least we will be remembered for challenging that which no one else dared to challenge. Perhaps that is the only immortality we sons of the earth are destined to know!" Then the elders of the city attempted to dissuade the king from his folly: "You are young, O King, and your reason is ever clouded by your passion. The reputation of Huwawa is terrible, and we fear that your thirst for glory is leading you into folly! Please, abandon this mad scheme!" By this time, however, Gilgamesh was bristling with confidence, and he was convinced that with Enkidu at his side he would be victorious. "You all wound me with your words! As for my self, I have committed my heart to this task and set my hand to accomplishing my end. I have ordered my smiths and armories to prepare weapons for the undertaking, mighty axes and swords with handles of gold. I will bring down the sacred cedars and make for myself a name that will endure! The elders then relented in their efforts: "You are our king, O Gilgamesh, though we fear for you in this undertaking. Nevertheless, your desire is our command. May the great god Utu keep you under his watchful eye until you find the glory you seek and stand once again in your beloved city of Erech!" In spite of his misgivings, Enkidu vowed to follow his beloved friend even unto death. "At the very least," Enkidu told the king, "you must first inform Utu, the god of the sun, of your intent, and seek his blessing, for it is into his land that you propose to journey. I will offer a sacrifice and seek an omen for our journey." Enkidu made his offering, and Gilgamesh interpreted the omen. "Alas, he cried, "though Utu himself has blessed our journey, we go forth into peril. The omen bodes ill, and I know now that I must travel along a road I do not know towards a destination I cannot comprehend. Gilgamesh took the advise of his friend, offered a snow-white goat as a sacrifice, and petitioned Utu for his blessing, which he reluctantly grants. To aid Gilgamesh in his quest, Utu immobilizes seven demons which lived in the seven mountains between Erech and the land of the living. Rejoicing at the god's intervention, Gilgamesh assembles a company of fifty unattached warriors; men with neither mother nor home, and he sets out to accomplish his task. The following day Gilgamesh stood at the great gate of the city and called the people unto him. They all sat down before him and he spoke the following words, "O, my men of Erech, I am about to take a long journey to the forest of sacred cedars where I will confront that which we dare not name. It as the name at which all the lands tremble, and if I am victorious then all the world will say 'How great are the men of Erech!' Grant me, my people, your blessing on my journey!" And all the people replied in unison, "May Utu protect you, and guide you, and bring you back safely to your city and your people!" Then the elders of the city brought the king into their presence and offered him counsel on his journey, "Trust not only in your own strength, Gilgamesh, for Enkidu came into your life to protect you in times such as these. He is a mighty warrior, and he knows the roads and paths to the Mountain of Cedar. Let Utu, the mighty god of the sun guide you, and may the spirit of your father, King Lugalbanda watch over you. When you have slain your adversary, forget not to give thanks to the sun, and each time you take a drink of refreshing water remember that it is by his mercy that you are able to proceed." And to Enkidu the elders said, "Noble warrior from the steppes, it is into your care that we are entrusting our King. Take care, Enkidu, and protect he who has become so precious to us." With those words the assembly disbanded, and Gilgamesh called out to Enkidu, "Come now, dear brother, before we depart we must pay our respects to my mother, Queen Ninsun, and seek her blessing as well." The two warriors ascended to the steps of the great palace and respectfully greeted the mother of the King. "O my mother," cried Gilgamesh, "I must undertake a journey from which I may not return. Please intercede with Utu on my behalf, that I may meet my destiny with honor, for it is my desire to drive all that is hateful to Utu from the land." With those words, Gilgamesh and Enkidu took their leave of the Queen. When they had departed, Ninsun went into her chamber. She then put on her ritual robe, and placed a sacred amulet around her neck, and upon the head she placed the tiara of Erech. She then went out into the palace grounds, ascended the stairs, and from the roof she offered incense to Utu, the god of the sun. As she raised her hands towards the sky, with a heavy heart she poured out her feelings to the heavens: "Oh, great Utu! You have given me Gilgamesh as my son, but you have placed within him a restless heart and an irresistible will. Why have you placed it within his spirit to make this journey? Why must he confront Huwawa? I beseech you to watch over him as he travels the road by day, and may your spouse, Aya interceded with those who watch the night paths!" She then called Enkidu to her side: "I did not carry you in my womb, Enkidu, but I now adopt you as my son. As have the priestesses and devotees of Gilgamesh have claimed you as their own, so I now claim you as my own. Protect the son whom I bore, he who I now name your brother." And saying these words she took the amulet from her own neck and placed it around the neck of Enkidu. Enkidu then left the Queen and quietly returned to the side of Gilgamesh. The journey proves more terrible than either Gilgamesh or Enkidu had imagined. During the day they were tormented by the heat and terrain, and at night their sleep was haunted by nightmares. At one point Gilgamesh fell into such a deep, supernatural sleep that Enkidu was only able to awaken him with difficulty. Enkidu then begins to plead with Gilgamesh to abandon the mission. Huwawa sees them coming from a distance and fastens "the eye of death" upon Gilgamesh and his company. Gilgamesh, however, is undeterred and sets about the business of felling the trees. Soon Huwawa is aroused against the men and a fierce struggle ensues. Gilgamesh, however, invokes the aid of the gods and the deity of the sun sends eight winds which imprison Huwawa. Knowing that he is beaten, Huwawa swears that he will become the slave of Gilgamesh, if only the king will spare his life. Gilgamesh is moved to pity and considers offering clemency to Huwawa. Enkidu, however, is still fearful of the monster and demands that it be destroyed. They behead the creature and offer its body to the Enlil and Ninlil.