In the beginning of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the exemplification of a standard Mesopotamian …show more content…
While the epic prides over Gilgamesh’s wondrous feats of being responsible for he is portrayed as a nonpareil king, describing him as “tall, Magnificent, and terrible” (I, 37). Gilgamesh exploits his power by having “no equal”(I, 65). His overbearing superiority makes him uncompassionate and subjects his people to oppression, who complain that “by day and night his tyranny grows harsher” (I, 69). There is a juxtaposition of Gilgamesh’s roles, going from being the “shepherd of Uruk-the-Sheepfold,” to being one who “lets no daughter go free to her mother” (I, 71)” The contrast of these two roles of being the defendant versus the tyrant demonstrates the Mesopotamian perception of kingship; Gilgamesh’s actions as a tyrant are discerned as antithetical to as an ideal protector and leader. His savagery drove his people weary, thus complaining to the god, Anu, that a “savage wild bull you have bred in Uruk-the-Sheepfold.” From this, it can be concluded that an ideal king must be compassionate, trustworthy, and