Passages similar to: The Epic of Gilgamesh — Tablet I
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Source passage
Mesopotamian
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Tablet I (6)
"You have indeed brought into being a mighty wild bull, head raised! "There is no rival who can raise a weapon against him. "His fellows stand (at the alert), attentive to his (orders!), "Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father, "day and night he arrogantly... "Is he the shepherd of Uruk-Haven, "is he their shepherd... "bold, eminent, knowing, and wise, "Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother(?)! The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man, Anu listened to their complaints, and (the gods) called out to Aruru: "it was you, Aruru, who created mankind(?), now create a zikru to it/him. Let him be equal to his (Gilgamesh's) stormy heart, let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace! When Aruru heard this she created within herself the zikrtt of Anu.
The following lines are taken from the fragment K. 12,830, but their position in the text is uncertain.] [He named the four quarters (of the world)],...
(46) The following lines are taken from the fragment K. 12,830, but their position in the text is uncertain.] [He named the four quarters (of the world)], mankind [he created], [And upon] him understanding ... Tiamat ... distant may . [The following lines are taken from the fragment K. 13,761.] (10) 1 "The mighty one !" ... Agi[l ...], "The Creator of [the earth ...]!" Zulummu ... , "The Giver of counsel and of whatsoever !" Mummu, "the Creator [of ...]!" Mulil, the heavens , "Who for ... !" Gishkul, let , (10) "Who brought the gods to naught !" Lugal-ab- , "Who in [ ............ ]!" Pap- , "Who in !" [The following lines are taken from the fragment K. 8,519 and its duplicate K. 13,337; this portion of the text was not separated by much from that preserved by K. 13,761.] . ... [... the Chief (?) of] all lords," [... supreme] is his might! [Lugal-durmah, "the King] 1 of the band of the gods," "the Lord of rulers," "Who is exalted in a royal habitation," "[Who] among the gods is gloriously supreme!" [Adu-nuna], "the Counsellor of Ea," who created the gods his fathers, Unto the path of whose majesty [No] god can ever attain! [... in] Dul-azag he made it known, pure is his dwelling! [... the ...] of those without understanding is Lugal-dul-azaga! supreme is his might! their in the midst of Tiamat, ... of the battle! [The numbering of the following lines is based on the marginal numbers upon No. 91,139. + 93,073
Already on all sides the air was quiet; And said he to me: "That was the hard curb That ought to hold a man within his bounds; But you take in the bai...
(7) "I am Aglaurus, who became a stone!" And then, to press myself close to the Poet, I backward, and not forward, took a step. Already on all sides the air was quiet; And said he to me: "That was the hard curb That ought to hold a man within his bounds; But you take in the bait so that the hook Of the old Adversary draws you to him, And hence availeth little curb or call. The heavens are calling you, and wheel around you, Displaying to you their eternal beauties, And still your eye is looking on the ground; Whence He, who all discerns, chastises you."
The concubine of old Tithonus now Gleamed white upon the eastern balcony, Forth from the arms of her sweet paramour; With gems her forehead all...
(1) The concubine of old Tithonus now Gleamed white upon the eastern balcony, Forth from the arms of her sweet paramour; With gems her forehead all relucent was, Set in the shape of that cold animal Which with its tail doth smite amain the nations, And of the steps, with which she mounts, the Night Had taken two in that place where we were, And now the third was bending down its wings; When I, who something had of Adam in me, Vanquished by sleep, upon the grass reclined, There were all five of us already sat. Just at the hour when her sad lay begins The little swallow, near unto the morning, Perchance in memory of her former woes, And when the mind of man, a wanderer More from the flesh, and less by thought imprisoned, Almost prophetic in its visions is, In dreams it seemed to me I saw suspended An eagle in the sky, with plumes of gold, With wings wide open, and intent to stoop, And this, it seemed to me, was where had been By Ganymede his kith and kin abandoned, When to the high consistory he was rapt.
How Adam was created out of a handful of earth brought by an Angel (1-10)
Do not, like fools, crave mercy from the spear, Wherefore do you cry to spear and sword, Seeing they are captives in the hand of that Noble One? He...
(1) Do not, like fools, crave mercy from the spear, Wherefore do you cry to spear and sword, Seeing they are captives in the hand of that Noble One? He is as Azar, maker of idols; I am only the idol; Whatever instrument He makes me, that I am. If He makes of me a cup, a cup am I; If He makes of me a dagger, a dagger am I. If He makes me a fountain, I pour forth water; If He makes me fire, I give forth heat. If He makes me rain, I produce rich crops;
The Deceased King Triumphs Over His Enemies And Is Recognized By The Gods, Utterances 260-262 (260)
316 To say: O Geb, bull of Nut, N. is a Horus, heir of his father. 316 N. is the goer, the comer, the fourth of these four gods, 316 who have brought...
(260) 316 To say: O Geb, bull of Nut, N. is a Horus, heir of his father. 316 N. is the goer, the comer, the fourth of these four gods, 316 who have brought water (and) made themselves clean, who rejoice over the "power" of their fathers. 316 He desires that he be justified by that which he has done. 317 Since Tfn and Tefnut have judged N.; since the Two Truths have heard (him); 317 since Shu has been advocate (tongue); since the Two Truths have given verdict; 317 he has encompassed the thrones of Geb, he has raised himself to that which he wished. 318 (So now that) his limbs are united, which were hidden (in the grave), 318 he unites himself with those who are in Nun. He puts an end to his words in Heliopolis, 318 as N. goes forth on that day in the true form of an . 319 N. destroys battle; he punishes revolt. 319 N. goes forth (as) the protector of truth; he brings her, for she is with him. 319 Those who were furious, (now) busy themselves for him; those who are in Nun, (now) give life over to him. 320 The refuge of N. is in his eye; the protection of N. is in his eye; 320 the power of N. is in his eye; the strength of N. is in his eye. 321 O gods of South, North, West, East, respect N., fear him; 321 he has sat in the t of the two courts. 321 That uraeus-serpent dnn-wt.t might have burned you, for she attained your heart, 322 you (they) who might have come to N. as an adversary; come to him (as a friend), come to him. 322 N. is the dd of his father, the nb of his mother. 323 The abomination of N. is to walk in darkness, 323 lest he see those who are upside down. 323 N. will come forth in this day; he will bring truth with him. 323 N. will not be delivered up to your flame, O gods.
"[O Anshar], let not the word of thy lips be overcome, (120) ". [Let me] go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart." (121) "What man is it, w...
(58) the ... of] the gods, N[u]di[mmud] [A gap of about ten lines occurs here.] (69) (70) (71) (72) [Anshar unto] his son addressed [the word]: (73) " ... my mighty hero, (74) "[Whose] strength [is great] and whose onslaught cannot be withstood, (75) "[Go] and stand before Tiamat, (76) "[That] her spirit [may be appeased], that her heart may be merciful. (77) "[But if] she will not hearken unto thy word, (78) "Our [word] shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified." (79) [He heard the] word of his father Anshar (80) And [he directed] his path to her, towards her he took the way. (81) Anu [drew nigh], he beheld the muttering of Tiamat, (82) [But he could not withstand her], and he turned back. (83) Anshar (84) he spake unto him: (85) " upon me [A gap of about twenty lines occurs here.] (104) (105) an avenger (106) va[liant] (107) in the place of his decision (108) he spake unto him: (109) " thy father (110) "Thou art my son, who maketh merciful his heart. (111) " to the battle shalt thou draw nigh, (112) " he that shall behold thee shall have peace." (113) And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father, (114) And he drew nigh and stood before Anshar. (115) Anshar beheld him and his heart was filled with joy, (116) He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him. (117) "[O my father], let not the word of thy lips be overcome, (118) "Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart. (119). "[O Anshar], let not the word of thy lips be overcome, (120) ". [Let me] go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart." (121) "What man is it, who hath brought thee forth to battle? (122) " Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee." (123) " ... rejoice and be glad; (124) "The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. (125) " ... rejoice and be glad; (126) "[The neck] of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. (127) "O my [son], who knoweth all wisdom, (128) "Pacify [Tiama]t with thy pure incantation. (129) "Speedily set out upon thy way, (130) "For [thy blood (?)] shall not be poured out, thou shalt return again." (131) The lord rejoiced at the word of his father, (132) His heart exulted, and unto his father he spake: (133) "O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods, (134) "If I, your avenger, (135) "Conquer Tiamat and give you life, (136) "Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it. (137) "In Upshukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together, (138) "With my word in place of you will I decree fate. (139) "May whatsoever I do remain unaltered, (140) "May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail."
Search round thy neck, and thou wilt find the belt Which keeps it fastened, O bewildered soul, And see it, where it bars thy mighty breast." Then...
(4) Search round thy neck, and thou wilt find the belt Which keeps it fastened, O bewildered soul, And see it, where it bars thy mighty breast." Then said to me: "He doth himself accuse; This one is Nimrod, by whose evil thought One language in the world is not still used. Here let us leave him and not speak in vain; For even such to him is every language As his to others, which to none is known." Therefore a longer journey did we make, Turned to the left, and a crossbow-shot oft We found another far more fierce and large. In binding him, who might the master be I cannot say; but he had pinioned close Behind the right arm, and in front the other, With chains, that held him so begirt about From the neck down, that on the part uncovered It wound itself as far as the fifth gyre. "This proud one wished to make experiment Of his own power against the Supreme Jove," My Leader said, "whence he has such a guerdon. Ephialtes is his name; he showed great prowess. What time the giants terrified the gods; The arms he wielded never more he moves."
The living charm is behind him, behind this god, whose ka is glorious, the king of the Tuat, the prince of the Amenta, who takes hold of the sky,...
(9) The living charm is behind him, behind this god, whose ka is glorious, the king of the Tuat, the prince of the Amenta, who takes hold of the sky, triumphantly, on whom the atef crown is established, who shines with the white diadem, who has seized the hook and the flail; mighty is his soul, the great one of the urer crown; who has united all the gods, the love of him penetrates their bodies, Unneferu who lasts for ever and eternally
The Deceased King Arrives In Heaven Where He Is Established, Utterances 244-259 (256)
301 To say: N. has inherited Geb; N. has inherited Geb. 301 He has inherited Atum; he is upon the throne of Horus, the eldest. 301 His eye is his...
(256) 301 To say: N. has inherited Geb; N. has inherited Geb. 301 He has inherited Atum; he is upon the throne of Horus, the eldest. 301 His eye is his might; his protection consists in that which was done to him. 302 The heat of the flaming breath of his uraeus-serpent 302 is like that of the Rnn-wt.t-serpent on his forehead. 302 N. has put his fear in their heart, 302 in making a massacre among them. 303 The gods saw (it) disrobed, 303 and they bowed themselves before N. in homage (saying): 303 "His mother conducts him; his home-town tows him; 303 Hai, let go thy rope."
The Deceased King Arrives In Heaven Where He Is Established, Utterances 244-259 (246)
252 See, how N. stands there among (you), the two horns on him (like) two wild-bulls, 252 for thou art the black ram, son of a black sheep. 252 born...
(246) 252 See, how N. stands there among (you), the two horns on him (like) two wild-bulls, 252 for thou art the black ram, son of a black sheep. 252 born of a white sheep, nursed by four sheep. 253 The blue-eyed Horus comes against you; guard yourselves against the red-eyed Horus, 253 furious in wrath, whose might no one withstands. 253 His messengers go; his runner hastens. 253 They announce to him who lifts up his arm in the East 254 that this One passes in thee of whom Dwn-`n.wi said: "He shall command my (?) fathers, the gods." 254 The gods are silent before thee; the Ennead lay their hands upon their mouth, 254 before this One in thee (of whom) Dwn-`n.wi said: "He shall command my (?) fathers, the gods." 255 Stand at the doorway of the horizon; open the double doors of b.w, 255 that thou mayest stand at their (the gods') head, as Geb at the head of his Ennead-- 255 they (the gods) enter, they are smitten with fear; they depart, they lift up their head. 256 They see thee like Min, chief of the two 'itr.t-palaces. 256 He stands, he stands behind thee, thy brother stands behind thee, thy relative (n) stands behind thee. 256 Thou perishest not; thou art not destroyed. 256 Thy name remains among men; thy name has its being among the gods.
Those who were wise among the Greeks and the barbarians have advanced to the powers which have come into being by way of imagination and vain...
(2) Those who were wise among the Greeks and the barbarians have advanced to the powers which have come into being by way of imagination and vain thought. Those who have come from these, in accord with the mutual conflict and rebellious manner active in them, also spoke in a likely, arrogant and imaginary way concerning the things which they thought of as wisdom, although the likeness deceived them, since they thought that they had attained the truth, when they had (only) attained error. (They did so) not simply in minor appellations, but the powers themselves seem to hinder them, as if they were the Totality. Therefore, the order was caught up in fighting itself alone, because of the arrogant hostility of one of the offspring of the archon who is superior, who exists before him. Therefore, nothing was in agreement with its fellows, nothing, neither philosophy nor types of medicine nor types of rhetoric nor types of music nor types of logic, but they are opinions and theories. Ineffability held sway in confusion, because of the indescribable quality of those who hold sway, who give them thoughts.
I am the sun, the light, the moon," he exclaimed. "Great is my splendor. Because of me men shall walk and conquer. For my eyes are of silver, bright, ...
(2) "I shall now be great above all the beings created and formed. I am the sun, the light, the moon," he exclaimed. "Great is my splendor. Because of me men shall walk and conquer. For my eyes are of silver, bright, resplendent as precious stones, as emeralds; my teeth shine like perfect stones, like the face of the sky. My nose shines afar like the moon, my throne is of silver, and the face of the earth is lighted when I pass before my throne. "So, then, I am the sun, I am the moon, for all mankind. So shall it be, because I can see very far." So Vucub-Caquix spoke. But he was not really the sun; he was only vainglorious of his feathers and his riches. And he could see only as far as the horizon, and he could not see over all the world. The face of the sun had not yet appeared, nor that of the moon, nor the stars, and it had not dawned. Therefore, Vucub-Caquix became as vain as though he were the sun and the moon, because the light of the sun and the moon had not yet shown itself His only ambition was to exalt himself and to dominate. And all this happened when the flood came because of the wooden-people. Now we shall tell how Vucub-Caquix was overthrown and died, and how man was made by the Creator and the Maker.
Upon his right breast Chiron wheeled about, And said to Nessus: "Turn and do thou guide them, And warn aside, if other band may meet you." We with...
(5) Upon his right breast Chiron wheeled about, And said to Nessus: "Turn and do thou guide them, And warn aside, if other band may meet you." We with our faithful escort onward moved Along the brink of the vermilion boiling, Wherein the boiled were uttering loud laments. People I saw within up to the eyebrows, And the great Centaur said: "Tyrants are these, Who dealt in bloodshed and in pillaging. Here they lament their pitiless mischiefs; here Is Alexander, and fierce Dionysius Who upon Sicily brought dolorous years. That forehead there which has the hair so black Is Azzolin; and the other who is blond, Obizzo is of Esti, who, in truth, Up in the world was by his stepson slain." Then turned I to the Poet; and he said, "Now he be first to thee, and second I." A little farther on the Centaur stopped Above a folk, who far down as the throat Seemed from that boiling stream to issue forth. A shade he showed us on one side alone, Saying: "He cleft asunder in God's bosom The heart that still upon the Thames is honoured."
Truly I wept, leaning upon a peak Of the hard crag, so that my Escort said To me: "Art thou, too, of the other fools? Here pity lives when it is...
(2) Truly I wept, leaning upon a peak Of the hard crag, so that my Escort said To me: "Art thou, too, of the other fools? Here pity lives when it is wholly dead; Who is a greater reprobate than he Who feels compassion at the doom divine? Lift up, lift up thy head, and see for whom Opened the earth before the Thebans' eyes; Wherefore they all cried: 'Whither rushest thou, Amphiaraus? Why dost leave the war?' And downward ceased he not to fall amain As far as Minos, who lays hold on all. See, he has made a bosom of his shoulders! Because he wished to see too far before him Behind he looks, and backward goes his way: Behold Tiresias, who his semblance changed, When from a male a female he became, His members being all of them transformed; And afterwards was forced to strike once more The two entangled serpents with his rod, Ere he could have again his manly plumes. That Aruns is, who backs the other's belly, Who in the hills of Luni, there where grubs The Carrarese who houses underneath,
He reconcileth the two Warrior gods with those who have the charge of food and the beautiful creation which he raiseth up; and he reconcileth the two ...
(6) For I am in unison with his successive changes and his rules, and his papyrus, and his attendant gods, and his chieftains. He reconcileth the two Warrior gods with those who have the charge of food and the beautiful creation which he raiseth up; and he reconcileth the two Warrior gods with each other
O blind cupidity, O wrath insane, That spurs us onward so in our short life, And in the eternal then so badly steeps us! I saw an ample moat bent...
(3) O blind cupidity, O wrath insane, That spurs us onward so in our short life, And in the eternal then so badly steeps us! I saw an ample moat bent like a bow, As one which all the plain encompasses, Conformable to what my Guide had said. And between this and the embankment's foot Centaurs in file were running, armed with arrows, As in the world they used the chase to follow. Beholding us descend, each one stood still, And from the squadron three detached themselves, With bows and arrows in advance selected; And from afar one cried: "Unto what torment Come ye, who down the hillside are descending? Tell us from there; if not, I draw the bow." My Master said: "Our answer will we make To Chiron, near you there; in evil hour, That will of thine was evermore so hasty." Then touched he me, and said: "This one is Nessus, Who perished for the lovely Dejanira, And for himself, himself did vengeance take. And he in the midst, who at his breast is gazing, Is the great Chiron, who brought up Achilles; That other Pholus is, who was so wrathful.
ANSWER: — ‘Sons of Ariston,’ he sang, ‘divine offspring of an illustrious hero.’ The epithet is very appropriate, for there is something truly divine in being...
(368) Sons of an illustrious father, that was not a bad beginning of the Elegiac verses which the admirer of Glaucon made in honour of you after you had distinguished yourselves at the battle of MegaANSWER: — ‘Sons of Ariston,’ he sang, ‘divine offspring of an illustrious hero.’ The epithet is very appropriate, for there is something truly divine in being able to argue as you have done for the superiority of injustice, and remaining unconvinced by your own arguments. And I do believe that you are not convinced—this I infer from your general character, for had I judged only from your speeches I should have mistrusted you. But now, the greater my confidence in you, the greater is my difficulty in knowing what to say. For I am in a strait between two; on the one hand I feel that I am unequal to the task; and my inability is brought home to me by the fact that you were not satisfied with the answer which I made to Thrasymachus, proving, as I thought, the superiority which justice has over injustice. And yet I cannot refuse to help, while breath and speech remain to me; I am afraid that there would be an impiety in being present when justice is evil spoken of and not lifting up a hand in her defence. And therefore I had best give such help as I can. Glaucon and the rest entreated me by all means not to let the question drop, but to proceed in the investigation. They wanted to arrive at the truth, first, about the nature of justice and injustice, and secondly, about their relative advantages. I told them, what I really thought, that the enquiry would be of a serious nature, and would require very good eyes.
Thou seest N. uttering words to the Glorified, for he is the great form who will not rule (?) over them if thou art not among them. Thou seest the...
(2) Thou seest N. uttering words to the Glorified, for he is the great form who will not rule (?) over them if thou art not among them. Thou seest the head of N. as a ba (ram); his horns are like those of a sacrificed victim, those of a black ram, born of the ewe who bare him, and suckled by four sheep