GILGAMESH Meaning and
Definition
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Gilgamesh is a prominent figure in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest surviving works of literature. Traditionally regarded as a historical king of Uruk, an ancient city in Sumer (present-day Iraq), Gilgamesh is a semi-mythical hero known for his extraordinary strength, bravery, and quest for immortality.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, written on cuneiform tablets around the 18th century BCE, Gilgamesh embarks on various adventures, including his friendship with Enkidu, a wild man tamed by a temple harlot, and their journey to defeat the monstrous Humbaba. He also encounters the goddess Ishtar, endures great loss, and ultimately fails in his mission to achieve eternal life. The epic explores themes of mortality, heroism, friendship, and the limitations of power.
Considering the historical context and mythical elements surrounding Gilgamesh, his character has come to represent human aspiration, perseverance, and the universal search for meaning. Known for his pursuit of knowledge and desire to attain immortality, Gilgamesh signifies the human quest for transcendence and the complexities and contradictions of human nature.
Due to its historical significance and its exploration of timeless themes, the Epic of Gilgamesh has been recognized as a seminal work in world literature, influencing various mythological and literary traditions throughout history. The character of Gilgamesh, with his larger-than-life persona and legendary exploits, has become a symbol of heroic archetypes and has remained an enduring figure in the annals of mythology.
Top Common Misspellings for GILGAMESH *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GILGAMESH
- filgamesh
- vilgamesh
- bilgamesh
- hilgamesh
- yilgamesh
- tilgamesh
- gulgamesh
- gjlgamesh
- gklgamesh
- golgamesh
- g9lgamesh
- g8lgamesh
- gikgamesh
- gipgamesh
- giogamesh
- gilfamesh
- galgamish
- Jilgamesh
- Gilgeamesh
- Gilgamemsh
Etymology of GILGAMESH
The word "Gilgamesh" has its origins in ancient Sumerian, an ancient language spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around the 3rd millennium BCE.
The name "Gilgamesh" is composed of two elements: "Gil" and "gamesh". "Gil" translates to "joy" or "happiness" in Sumerian, while "gamesh" is a derivative of the word "game", meaning "to rule". Therefore, the name "Gilgamesh" can be interpreted as "the one who brings joy" or "the one who rules with joy".
Gilgamesh is most commonly known as the central character of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient literary masterpiece believed to be one of the oldest surviving works of literature.
Similar spelling word for GILGAMESH
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