Gilgamesh and the Cedar Forest

The gods had gifted Gilgamesh a companion so that he would be sufficiently distracted and stay out of trouble. Now the duo sought some entertainment!

King Gilgamesh and his new friend Enkidu were getting a little bored with life in Uruk. ‘Let’s do something . . . something daring, something fun!’ suggested Enkidu, one day.

‘Umm . . . let me think. What can we do?’ pondered Gilgamesh, long and hard. Suddenly, he smiled as he had an idea.

‘I know! A little way beyond our kingdom lies a mountain covered with cedar wood. It’s guarded by a mighty demon by the name of Humbaba. No one dares cross his path. Let’s go up there and get some cedar.’

‘That sounds good!’ cried Enkidu. ‘Let’s leave straight away then.’ And the two friends set off, much to the relief of the people of Uruk.

‘That will keep them busy,’ said the people to themselves. ‘If they manage to get some cedar, we could build a lot of things with it.’

‘Do not forget, Humbaba guards the forest and no one can get past him,’ murmured some sceptics.

Everyone had heard of the demon. He was a frightening figure, tall as the mountains he so fiercely guarded. His roar was like a lion’s and his eyes were blood red. When he breathed, hot fire emerged from his enormous mouth and the fumes he emitted could kill a man with their poison.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu left the city of Uruk and made their way down the flat plain, following the Euphrates River. It was a long journey, which would have taken six months but our heroes were no ordinary folk and managed to make their way in just fifteen days.

On their way, they stopped to dig a well and make an offering to Shamash, the sun god. That night, Gilgamesh was troubled by disturbing dreams. ‘Oh . . . think nothing of it,’ comforted Enkidu. ‘It’s just thoughts of the vile beast whom we shall slay in good time. Do not worry about it, my friend. The great Shamash will come to our aid, surely!’

As they continued their journey, Gilgamesh made an offering to the sun god wherever they stopped. Finally, they reached the mountain covered with cedar trees. Choosing the two tallest trees, Gilagamesh and Enkidu proceeded to chop them down with their axes. Just as their axes fell on the trees, they heard a terrifying roar. Humbaba appeared before them, his red eyes burning like fire. ‘How dare you enter this sacred grove?’ he screamed. ‘Leave this place. Now!’

The two friends were unfazed and geared up for the big fight. They did not fear Humbaba for they knew the great Shamash would come to their aid. With his help they summoned the thirteen powerful winds—the north wind, south wind, east wind, west wind, icy wind, scorching wind, whirlwind, gale, hurricane, devil wind, blasting wind, storm wind and typhoon. The winds trapped Humbaba and the demon’s fire breath was doused by the gale and storm. ‘Let me go!’ pleaded Humbaba. ‘Take all the wood you want.’

‘Don’t be taken in by his pitiful act. If you spare him, he will strike back one day,’ warned Enkidu. Humbaba heard that and glared at him. ‘Curse you, vile human!’ he shouted with rage.

Gilgamesh took his sword and cut off the demon’s head without hesitation. Cutting down as many trees as they could between them, Gilgamesh and Enkidu chopped them into logs and carried them down to the Euphrates. Making a raft with some of the wood, they piled the rest of the cedar logs on it. ‘We’ll build the grandest city gates with this!’ Gilgamesh said to Enkidu as they made their way downstream towards Uruk. He looked up at the sun shining brightly in the sky and offered his thanks to the great god Shamash.