Enkidu

Enkidu (possibly from Sumerian “the lord who created the earth” or “Enki the Great” or “Enki the Good”) is a hero in Sumerian-Akkadian mythology, a companion and friend of Gilgamesh, his brother, created by the goddess Aruru at the request of the gods as a rival of Gilgamesh. One of the main characters in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Enkidu takes part in Gilgamesh’s exploits and urges him to do heroic deeds. Together they defeat the monster Humbaba, the guardian of the cedar forest, and cut down a tree in his forest for the gates of the temple of Enlil in Uruk. They then fight a huge bull sent by the goddess Inanna to kill Gilgamesh in retaliation for refusing to become her lover. Enraged over the bull’s death, Inanna calls upon the gods to punish Gilgamesh and Enkidu for killing Humbaba. As a result, Enkidu finds himself the atoning sacrifice for his brother-in-law: the gods, enraged by Humbaba’s murder, send him sickness and death. Dying, Enkidu curses the harlot Shamhat for making him human, but the god Shamash reminds Enkidu of how Shamhat fed and clothed him. Enkidu forgives the priestess and blesses her before he dies. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh mourns his friend and orders an idol to be made in his honor.