Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance,

he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull.

-The Epic of Gilgamesh, trans. Maureen Kovacs

Name: Gilgamesh, He Whose Titles Exceed the Telling

Gender: Can you not measure the breadth of his shoulders? Do you not marvel at the luster of his beard? Truly he is more god than man.

Age: He has years enough to disdain fools and foolish questions alike.

Appearance: Who would dare to capture the king above all kings with words, as though they could name him, bind him, or limit him? Feh—the boldest of magicians would tremble at the very thought. Speak instead, then, in asides and glances that you may not be overwhelmed. Name the strength of his body, touched and darkened by Utu as a sign of his favor. Name the thickness of his hair, each black, curling lock brought to order by oil. Look! See the nobility of his features, eyes flashing with righteous anger, teeth as white as ivory behind lips carved of teak. Listen as his voice echoes loud as thunder. Let his servants rejoice at the sight of him, even as his foes scatter as chaff in the wind!

Personality: O Gilgamesh, who holds Uruk his faithful servant, guards his city with wisdom and might. There is no man born who dares deceive him; he accepts the adulation of his people with grace. He carries himself with righteous pride, for who can stand before the one named to be two-thirds divine? Blessed in the sight of the gods be Gilgamesh, king of kings, king of Uruk! Blessed in the sight of the gods be Uruk, his faithful city!

Background: Let all know of the most honored father of Gilgamesh, Lugalbanda of Uruk!  Second king in the first dynasty, he begat Gilgamesh with the beauteous Inarah, priestess of the goddess Ninsen, only after death ascending to marry the goddess herself. It is known that Gilgamesh’s tenure as fourth king of Uruk began tempestuously, abusing the people until they cried out to the gods for aid. It is then that the gods shaped Enkidu the wild-man, sending him forth to the city as Gilgamesh’s only match. Oh, how their battle shook the ground! Great love passed between them upon realizing each was the other’s match, and Gilgamesh’s kingly glory became tempered with Enkidu’s wild wisdom. When the gods in anger struck down Enkidu with illness, it was Gilgamesh who left the city to seek him out even beyond the gates of death itself, in the ashy realm below the rule of Ereshkigal.

Reason to Live: It is unfitting that one so mighty as he remain forever in that which is as mundane as death. It is long past time he returned to claim his city once more.