Gilgamesh: The History and Mythology of the Sumerian King

The name of Gilgamesh is one that resounds all over the world and has been well-known for thousands of years. Of all the most illustrious figures of history and human heritage, Gilgamesh also happens to be one of the most mysterious. This is because, in a way, there are two sides to Gilgamesh and two ways in which we approach his story. As far as official history is concerned, Gilgamesh was most likely an ancient Sumerian king who ruled the city-state of Uruk at some point between 2800 and 2500 BCE. In literature, folklore, and ancient traditions of Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh has become the subject of many legends and one of the most important heroes in Mesopotamian mythology.

Gilgamesh's legendary life was a story of great triumphs, falls, loss, soul-searching, and a quest for meaning. It is a story that involves a great character arc since Gilgamesh's physical journey is matched only by the distance he had traveled toward growing as a ruler and as a man.