Gilgamesh (mythological figure)

Gilgamesh is a legendary Sumerian king and hero, believed to have ruled (around 2100 BCE) in ancient Mesopotamia. Enshrined in one of the earliest known works of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh, he is depicted as a powerful but flawed ruler who embarks on quests for eternal life. The story explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the pursuit of wisdom. Though partly myth, Gilgamesh embodies the human condition, reflecting ancient Mesopotamian values and beliefs about the divine, leadership, and the transient nature of life.