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,
5 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(?)],
10 [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 [E]-Anna, the sacred, the treasury hallow’d,
[Strengthen’d] its base to grant wayleave to no [one]…
….. the threshold which from [of old (?)]……
….. [E]-Anna……………
15….. 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.
Two-thirds of him are divine, and [one-third of him human,]…
The form of his body…………….
He hath forced to take………………
(Gap of about three lines).
(The Plaint of Erech(?) to the gods against the tyrant G