Andrew R. George 2003 Gilgamesh
George 2003 Gilgamesh
The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic. Introduction, Critical Edition and Cuneiform Texts, 2 Vols
Oxford: Oxford University Press
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Excerpts from George 2003 Gilgamesh
Back to top: Andrew R. George 2003 Gilgamesh
Bilgamesh and the Netherworld
| Bilgamesh and the Netherworld | pp. 773-774 (Vol. 2) |
222 The warrior Bilgames, son of Ninsun, 223 made his way alone to Ekur, the house of Enlil, 224 before Enlil he [wept:] 225 '[O Father] Enlil, my ball fell into the Netherworld, my mallet fell into Ganzir, 226 Enkidu went to bring it up, the Netherworld [seized] him! 226a My favourite [servant,] my steadfast companion, the one who counselled me – [ the Netherworld] seized him! 227 [Namtar did not] seize him, Azag did not seize him, the Netherworld seized him! 228 The sheriff of Nergal that releases no man did not seize him, the Netherworld seized him! 229 He did not fall in battle, at the place of manly endeavour, the Netherworld seized him!' 230 Father Enlil did not help him in this matter. He went to Eridu. 231 He made his way alone to Eridu, the house of Enki, 232 before Enki he wept: 233 'O Father Enki, my ball fell into the Netherworld, my mallet fell into Ganzir, 234 Enkidu went to bring it up, the Netherworld seized him! 234a [My favourite servant, my steadfast companion, the one who counselled me – the Netherworld seized him!] 235 Namtar did not seize him, Azag did not seize him, the Netherworld seized him! 236 The sheriff of Nergal that releases no man did not seize him, the Netherworld seized him! 237 He did not fall in battle, at the place of manly endeavour, the Netherworld seized him' 238 Father Enki helped him in this matter, 239 he spoke to Young Hero Utu, the son born of Ningal: 240 'Now, when you make an opening in the Netherworld, 241 bring his servant up to him from the Netherworld!' 242 Young Hero Utu, [the son born of Ningal,] 243 he made an opening in the Netherworld, 244 by means of his phantom he brought his servant up to him from the Netherworld. [Follows a long dialogue between B/Gilgamesh and the ghost of Enkidu] [This passage is also available, with the original Sumerian text, on E T C S L at this link] |