The Epic of Gilgamish

The First Tablet

Of the Tyranny of Gilgamish, and the Creation of Enkidu

Column I.

(The Argument).

He who (the heart of) all matters hath proven let him [teach] the nation,
[He who all] knowledge possesseth, therein shall he [school] all the people,
[He shall his wisdom impart (?)] and (so) shall they]share it] together.
[Gilgamish(?)] —he was the [Master] of wisdom, with [knowledge of all things,
He ’twas discovered the secret concealed.........
(Aye), handed down the tradition relating to (things) prediluvian,
Went on a journey afar, (all) aweary and [worn with his toiling(?)],
[Graved] on a table of stone all the travail.
Of Erech, the high-wall’d,
He (it was) built up the ramparts; (and) he (it was) clamp’d the foundation,
Like unto brass, of -Anna, the sacred, the treasury hallow’d,
[Strengthen’d] its base to grant wayleave to no [one]........... the threshold which from [of old (?)]........... -Anna................................ to grant wayleave [to no one (?)].......

(About thirty lines wanting. The description of Gilgamish runs on to the beginning of the next Column).

Column II.