Gilgames and Engidu, Mesopotamian Genii of Fecundity

Two OF THE MOST INTERESTING FIGURES in ancient mythology are the heroes of the Babylonian national epic, Gilgames and Engidu. In this paper they will be studied in as objective a way as possible, avoiding the knotty problems connected with the evolution of the epic. Even on the latter, however, some light may be thrown. A thousand and one tempting ideas come to mind, but our materials are still too scanty for the composition of a successful history of Mesopotamian literature and religion, as shown by the recent attempt of the brilliant philosopher of Leipzig, Hermann Schneider.' Thanks to the discovery of the temple library of Nippur, Sumerian literature is swelling so rapidly that few theories can be regarded as established beyond recall. On the other hand, our knowledge is now sufficiently definite to permit lucrative exploitation of comparative mythology and civilization; indeed, since many of these problems may be treated on the molecular, if not the atomic principle (cf. JBL 37. 112), their solution is an indispensable prerequisite to the future history of Babylonian thought. My general attitude towards the methods and theories of comparative mythology is succinctly given JBL 37. 111-113. The name Gilgames is usually written dGIg-GIN (TU)-MA, read Gi-il-ga-mes (s), the raxyapog of Aelian, De natura anim., 12, 21 (Pinches, Babylonian and Oriental Record, vol. 4, p. 264). CT2 12. 50. K 4359, obv. 17, offers the equation GI9-GIN-MAS

Ancient history · Fecundity · Sociology · Ancient Near East History · Demography · History · Philosophy