Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 1 - Narrative and mythological compositions · 472 sections

v1.297
{ĝiš}saĝ-du ninda pad-pax(PAD)-ra2-ni niĝ2 mu-ni-gu-ul-e
v1.298
niĝin3-ĝar tur-tur-ĝu10 ni2-ba nu-zu igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-⌈na⌉-gin7 an-ak
v1.299
{ĝiš}banšur kug-sig17 kug-babbar lal3 i3-nun-ta e-ne im-di-e-ne
v1.300
lu2 ug7-⌈?⌉ (X) X-na i3-uš2 ⌈igi⌉ bi2-du8-am3 ⌈igi⌉ [bi2-du8-am3] a-na-gin7 an-ak
v1.301
ki ĝiš-nu2 diĝir-re-e-na al-nu2
v1.302
lu2 izi la2 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi nu-⌈mu⌉-ni-du8-am3
v1.303
gidim-a-ni nu-ĝal2 i-bi2-ni an-na [ba]-e-ed3
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A version from Urim (UET 6 58)
v2.1
lu2 ur3-ta šub-ba igi ⌈bi2⌉-[du8-am3] igi i-ni-⌈in⌉-du8-⌈am3⌉ [a-na-gin7 an-ak]
Did you see him who fell down from the roof? I saw him. How does he fare? They cannot …… his bones. Did you see him who was struck in (?) a flood-storm of (?) Iškur? I saw him. How does he fare? He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him. Did you see the leprous man? I saw him. How does he fare? His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him. He lives outside the city.
v2.2
ĝiri3-pax(PAD)-ra2-ni šu NE nu-⌈ub-be2⌉-[eš]
v2.3
lu2 {d}iškur-ra ⌈ĝiri3-bal⌉ mu-ni-in-[ra]-ra igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-ni-du8-am3 a-na-[gin7 an-ak]
v2.4
gud-gin7 al-dub2 uḫ im-da-gu7-[e]
v2.5
lu2-saḫar-šub-ba igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-ni-⌈du8-am3⌉ a-na-gin7 an-⌈ak⌉
v2.6
u2-[ni al]-⌈bar⌉ a-ni al-bar u2 gid2 al-gu7-e a gid2 al-na8-na8
v2.7
iri bar-ra-a al-tuš
v2.8
lu2 ⌈inim⌉ ama a-a-na-ke4 ni2 nu-teĝ3-ĝe26-dam igi bi2-du8-am3 ⌈igi i⌉-ni-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
Did you see him who had no respect for the word of his mother and father? I saw him. How does he fare? O my body! O my limbs! he never ceases to cry. Did you see him who was reached by the curse of his mother and father? I saw him. How does he fare? He is deprived of an heir. His spirit roams about. Did you see him who …… the name of his god? I saw him. How does he fare? His spirit ……. Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings? I saw him. How does he fare? He eats the scraps and the crumbs …… tossed out in the street. Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?I saw them. How do they fare? They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee. Did you see him who was set on fire? I did not see him. His smoke went up to the sky. His spirit does not live in the underworld.
v2.9
a ni2-ĝu10 a ĝiš-⌈ge-en⌉-na šeg10 gi4 nu-!-gul-e
v2.10
lu2 aš2 ama a-a-na-ke4 sa2 bi2-⌈dug4-ga⌉ igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-ni-du8-am3 ⌈a-na⌉-[gin7] ⌈an⌉-ak
v2.11
ibila ba-da-kar gidim-ma-ni šu al-[dag]-⌈dag⌉-ge
v2.12
lu2 mu diĝir-⌈ra⌉-[ni] saĝ bi2-in-[X]-la igi bi2-⌈du8⌉-[am3 igi] ⌈i⌉-ni-du8-⌈am3⌉ [a]-⌈na⌉-gin7 <an>-ak
v2.13
gidim-ma-ni X […] X […]
v2.14
gidim lu2 ninda sig10-ge5 [nu]-tuku [igi bi2]-⌈du8⌉-am3 igi i-ni-du8-am3 [a]-⌈na⌉-gin7 an-⌈ak⌉
v2.15
⌈šu⌉ su-ub-be2 utul2-a ninda ⌈pad⌉-[pax(PAD)]-ra2 PA sila šub-ba i3-gu7-e
v2.16
[niĝin3-ĝar tur-tur]-ĝu10 ni2-ba nu-zu igi bi2-du8-am3 ⌈igi⌉ i-ni-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
v2.17
⌈{ĝiš}banšur kug-sig17 kug⌉-babbar lal3 i3-nun-na e-ne im-da-e-ne
v2.18
lu2 izi la2 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi nu-mu-⌈na-du8-am3⌉
v2.19
i-bi2-ni an-na ba-a-ed3-am3 gidim-a-ni ki-a nu-ub-tuš
v2.20
lu2 diĝir lul-lul sig10-⌈ge5⌉ nam-erim2 ba-an-kud igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-[ni]-⌈du8⌉-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
Did you see him who lied to the gods while swearing an oath? I saw him. How does he fare? He drinks …… which has been drunk …… the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world. Did you see the citizen of Ĝirsu who refused (?) water to his father and his mother? I saw him. How does he fare? In front of each of them are a thousand Martu, and his spirit can neither …… nor ……. The Martu at the libation place at the entrance (?) to the nether world ……. Did you see the citizens of Sumer and Akkad? I saw them. How do they fare? They drink the water of the …… place, muddy water. Did you see where my father and my mother live? I saw them. How do they fare? Both of them drink the water of the …… place, muddy water.
v2.21
ki-a-naĝ saĝ kur-⌈ra⌉-[ke4 …] X-ra-? naĝ-a ⌈i3-naĝ⌉-e
v2.22
dumu ĝir2-su{ki} a ⌈?-?⌉ a-a-na u3 ama-na igi bi2-du8-am3 [igi] ⌈i⌉-ni-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 [an-ak]
v2.23
igi lu2 1-ta-am3 li-im dumu mar-tu-me-⌈eš⌉ gidim-a-ni šu la-ba-an-ta-ra-ra gaba nu-ši-dub-⌈bu⌉
v2.24
dumu mar-tu{ki}-a ki-a-naĝ saĝ kur-ra-ke4 igi-ba bi2-ib2-dab5-be2-en
v2.25
dumu ki-en-gi ki-uri-ke4 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-ni-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-⌈ak⌉
v2.26
a ki-lul-la a lu3-a bi2-ib2-naĝ-me-eš
v2.27
a-a-ĝu10 u3 ama-ĝu10 me-a se12-[me]-⌈eš⌉ igi bi2-du8-am3 igi i-ni-du8-⌈am3⌉ [a-na-gin7 an-ak]
v2.28
[2]-a-ne-ne-ne a ki-⌈lul⌉-[la a lu3-a] bi2-⌈ib2-naĝ⌉-[me-eš]
head
Another version from Urim (UET 6 59)
v3.A.1
[lu2] {ĝiš}ma2-du3 ra igi bi2-[du8] a-na-gin7 i3-⌈ĝal2⌉
Did you see him hit by a ship's board? How does he fare? Alas, my mother! the man cries to her, as he pulls out ……, he …… crossbeam …… crumbs. Did you see him who fell down from the roof? How does he fare? He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him. Did you see him who was reached by the curse of his mother? How does he fare? He is deprived of an heir. His spirit roams (?) about. Did you see him who had no respect for the word of his father and his mother? How does he fare? (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing)
v3.A.2
⌈a2⌉-še3 ama-ĝu10 lu2 ḫe2-en-na-ab-⌈be2⌉ TI bur12-ra-ni a
v3.A.3
⌈{ĝiš}⌉saĝ-du ninda pad-pax(PAD)-ra2-⌈ni⌉ a bi2-ib-gul-la-[(X)]-a
v3.A.4
⌈lu2⌉ ur3-ta šub-ba igi bi2-du8 a-na-gin7 i3-ĝal2
v3.A.5
[gud]-gin7 al-šub uḫ im-da-ab-⌈gu7⌉
v3.A.6
[lu2] ⌈!⌉ ama-na-ke4 sa2 bi2-in-dug4-ga [igi] ⌈bi2⌉-du8 a-na-gin7 i3-⌈ĝal2⌉
v3.A.7
⌈ibila⌉ ba-an-da-kar [gidim-a]-⌈ni šu al⌉-ĝa2-ĝa2X-X-ke4
v3.A.8
[lu2 inim] a-a-na u3 !-na [ni2] ⌈nu-teĝ3-ĝe26-dam⌉ igi bi2-du8 [a-na-gin7] i3-ĝal2
v3.A.9
[…] X X X [X]
gap
(unknown no. of lines missing)
v3.B.1
[u2-ni al-bar a]-ni [al-bar u2 gid2] al-[gu7-e] a [gid2 al-na8-na8]
His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him. Did you see him who fell in battle? How does he fare? His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps. Did you see him who ……? How does he fare? …… from his (?) hand ……. Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings? How does he fare? He eats the scraps and the crumbs tossed out in the street. Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence? How do they fare? They play with a bucket of gold and silver, full of honey and ghee. Did you see him who was set on fire? I did not see him. His spirit is not there. His smoke went up to the sky.
v3.B.2
[lu2 me3-a] šub-ba igi bi2-[du8] a-na-gin7 [i3-ĝal2]
v3.B.3
[ad ama-ni] saĝ-du nu-dab-⌈dab⌉-[be2]-⌈ne⌉ dam-a-ni er2 ba-ni-?-?
v3.B.4
[…] X NA X NA […]-ma igi bi2-du8 a-na-gin7 i3-ĝal2
v3.B.5
[…] X-ta šu-ta IM X KI
v3.B.6
[gidim lu2 ninda] ki-sig10-ga nu-tuku [igi] ⌈bi2⌉-du8 [a-na-gin7] i3-ĝal2
v3.B.7
[šu su-ub-be2] ninda pad!(ĜAR)-pax(PAD)-ra2-a-ni [sila] ⌈šub⌉-ba i3-gu7-⌈e⌉
v3.B.8
[niĝin3]-ĝar-ra tur-⌈tur⌉-[ĝu10] ⌈ni2⌉-bi nu-zu [igi bi2-du8] a-na-⌈gin7⌉ [i3-ĝal2]
v3.B.9
⌈{ĝiš}⌉buniĝ(SUG) ⌈kug⌉-[sig17 kug-babbar lal3 i3-nun-na e-ne im-di-e-ne]
v3.B.10
⌈lu2⌉ izi X [igi bi2-du8] igi <nu-mu-ni-du8>
v3.B.11
<gidim-ma-ni nu-ĝal2 i>-bi2-⌈ni an⌉-[na ba-e-ed3]
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A third version from Urim (UET 6 60)
v4.1
[unug{ki}] ⌈im-mi-gi4-gi4⌉-[ne]
They returned to Unug, they returned to their city. He entered outfitted with tools and armaments, with an axe and a spear, and deposited them in his palace happily. Looking at the statue, the young men and women of Unug and the old men (?) and women of Kulaba rejoiced. As Utu came forth from his bedchamber, Gilgameš (?) raised his head and told them (?): My father and my mother, drink clean water! Midday had hardly passed when they touched the statue's (?) crown.
v4.2
⌈iri⌉-bi im-mi-gi4-gi4-⌈ne⌉
v4.3
⌈!⌉šu-kar2 a2-kar2-ra-ke4 pa-a-šu a2-gid2-[da] da-da-ra-še3 mi-ni-in-⌈kur9⌉
v4.4
e2-gal-la-na ḫul2-⌈ḫul2⌉-la mi-ni-in-ĝar
v4.5
ĝuruš ki-sikil unug-ga{ki} saĝ-tuku ⌈bur-šum2⌉-ma ⌈kul⌉-[aba{ki}]
v4.6
alan-bi igi mu-un-bar-bar-re-ne im-ma-ḫul2-ḫul2-la
v4.7
{d}utu agrun-na-ta e3-a-? saĝ <mu-un-na> mi-ni-in-!
v4.8
a2-bi mu-un-da-an-aĝ2
v4.9
a-a-ĝu10 u3 ama-ĝu10 a ⌈si-ig-ga naĝ-ze2-en⌉
v4.10
ud nu-mu-un-da-sa9 am3-da-dirig aga3-bi in-ši-in-tag-ne
v4.11
{d}gilgameš2-e ki ḫul-a ba-an-šub
Gilgameš threw himself down at the place of mourning, he threw himself down for nine days at the place of mourning. The young men and women of Unug and the old men (?) and women of Kulaba wept. As soon as he had said that, he repulsed the citizen of Ĝirsu. My father and my mother, drink clean water!
v4.12
ud 9-kam ki ḫul-a ba-an-šub
v4.13
⌈ĝuruš⌉ ki-sikil unug{ki}-ga !-tuku ⌈bur⌉-šu-ma ⌈kul⌉-aba{ki} er2 ba-še8-še8
v4.14
bi2-in-dug4-ga-gin7-nam
v4.15
dumu ĝir2-su{ki}-a zag bi2-in-tag
v4.16
a-a-ĝu10 u3 ama-ĝu10 a si-ig-ga naĝ-ze2-en
v4.17
ur-saĝ {d}gilgameš2 dumu {d}nin-sumun2-ka za3-mi2-zu dug3-ga-am3
Warrior Gilgameš, son of Ninsumun, sweet is your praise!
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A version from Me-Turan
v5.A.1
[…] ⌈im-ma-niĝin2⌉-ne-eš
…… surrounded him. He carried …… and the spirits felt insulted (?) by him. He caused (?) ……. (1 line fragmentary) He kissed his beloved wife, and hit his wife when he was angry with her. He kissed his beloved child, and hit his son when he was angry with him. He aroused an outcry and was detained in the nether world.
v5.A.2
[…] ma-an-il2 gidim mu-un-da-e-re
v5.A.3
[…] im-ma-ni-⌈in⌉-ĝar
v5.A.4
[…] X-bi im-⌈ma⌉-ĝa2-ĝa2
v5.A.5
[dam ki aĝ2-ĝa2-a-ni] ⌈?⌉ im-ma-ni-su-⌈ub⌉
v5.A.6
[dam] ⌈ḫul⌉ [gig]-⌈ga-a-ni⌉ im-ma-ni-ib-ra
v5.A.7
[dumu] ki aĝ2-[ĝa2-a-ni ne] ⌈im⌉-ma-⌈ni-su⌉-ub
v5.A.8
⌈dumu⌉ ḫul ⌈gig⌉-ga-a-ni [im-ma]-⌈ni⌉-ib-⌈ra⌉
v5.A.9
i-{d}utu-bi kur-ra ba-e-dab-⌈be2⌉
v5.A.10
ud ḫul-ĝal2-da en-na ⌈ud⌉ 7-⌈na⌉-še3
From that fateful day and for seven days his servant, Enkidu, did not come out from the nether world. The king was lamenting, crying bitterly: My beloved servant, my faithful companion, my counsellor, has been seized in the nether world! Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but he was seized in the nether world. The udug of Nergal who …… did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world. He did not fall in battle on the field of ……, but he was seized in the nether world.
v5.A.11
šubur-ra-a-ni {d}en-ki-du10-ra kur-ta nu-mu-un-ed2-de3
v5.A.12
lugal-e i-lu mu-un-na-ab-be2 ⌈er2 gig⌉ šex(A.IGI)-šex(A.IGI)
v5.A.13
šubur šag4-ga-a-ĝu10 tab-ba gen6-⌈na⌉-[a-ĝu10] ⌈ad⌉ [gi4]-⌈gi4⌉-a-⌈ĝu10⌉ kur-ra ⌈?⌉-[ma-an-dab]
v5.A.14
nam-tar nu-dab a2-sag3 nu-⌈dab kur-ra im⌉-ma-⌈an⌉-[dab]
v5.A.15
{d}udug {d}nergal saĝ [X] X ⌈nu-dab⌉ kur-ra ⌈im-ma⌉-[an]-⌈dab⌉
v5.A.16
⌈ki nam⌉-X me3 nu-un-šub kur-ra ⌈im-ma-ab⌉-dab
v5.A.17
e2-kur-ra e2 [{d}en]-⌈lil2-la2⌉-[a]-⌈še3⌉ ĝiri3-ni dili mu-un-gub
He directed his steps on his own to E-kur, the temple of Enlil. Before Enlil, he ……: My ball (?) fell down into the nether world, my mallet (?) fell down into Ganzer. But Enkidu, going down to retrieve them, my beloved servant, my faithful companion, my counsellor, was seized in the nether world. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world. …… did not seize him, but he was seized in the nether world. (unknown no. of lines missing)
v5.A.18
igi {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-še3 KA ⌈?⌉ X X ? X ⌈?⌉-gub
v5.A.19
{ĝiš}ellag-a-ĝu10 ⌈kur-ta⌉ [mu]-⌈un⌉-[da]-šub
v5.A.20
{ĝiš}e-AG-a-ĝu10 ganzerx(KUR.ZA.KUR.ZI)-da mu-⌈un-da-šub⌉
v5.A.21
{d}en-ki-du10 ed2-de3 ⌈?-?⌉
v5.A.22
[šubur] ⌈šag4⌉-ga-a-ĝu10 tab-ba gen6-na-a-ĝu10 ⌈ad gi4⌉-gi4-a-⌈ĝu10⌉ [kur-ra im]-⌈ma-an-?⌉
v5.A.23
[nam-tar nu-dab] ⌈a2⌉-sag3 nu-dab kur-⌈ra⌉ [im-ma-an-dab]

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Copyright holders: Jeremy Black, Graham Cunningham, Jarle Ebeling, Esther Flückiger-Hawker, Eleanor Robson, Jon Taylor and Gábor Zólyomi. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Source.