Identity Of Gilgamesh

Volume: 3 Number: 1 October 1, 2018
  • Nazim Huseynli
TR EN

Identity Of Gilgamesh

Abstract

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a fundamental literary-artistic and philosophical work that has played a key role in the development of Sumerian public opinions.The key factors that provide the durability of this work are the alternation of stories and the ideas that are based on logical-philosophical grounds. Due to these parameters, the work could survive many periods of time and generations till our day, and has been translated from original or translated versions to the dominant languages of the world. This process has both ontological and gnoseological bases.The purpose of the article is to search the traces of Sumerian ideas in the Epic of Gilgamesh, so the settlement of the issue is viewed within narrow context. It is noted that, the opinions about the belonging of the Epic of Gilgamesh to the Babylonians, Assyrians and Hetts question the identity of the main figure of the epic. Therefore, key attention is paid to the history of the Sumerians that lived and created a civilization before the mentioned ethnic minorities who had settled in Mesopotamia. The epic and researches indicate that, the dynasties of the Sumerians ruled in different periods are mythical, while others are historical figures. Uruk ruler and character Gilgamesh is proved to have been not mythical, but historical character by facts, and in this regard the identity of Gilgamesh is viewed from historical and logical point of view. The opinions of different scientists and researchers who have studied the history of the identity and history of Gilgamesh were comparatively analyzed, some questionable points were clarified and the points that prove the Sumerian origin of the epic were highlighted. The author has approached the issue from historical and logical, genetic and functional point of view and analyzed their genesis to properly evaluate the status of previously existed Sumerian-Akkadian-Babylonian-Assyrian relations. The author has proved with different historical facts and logical analyses that the epic belongs to the Sumerians. The article also clarifies the questionable opinions about whether Gilgamesh is a historical figure or which ethnic minority the epic belongs to, and proves them to be unreasonable factors. The author also holds that the etymology of the name is one of the factors that affect the solution of the issue and analyzes disagreements in this respect. It is not questionable that the name of Gilgamesh has been used as “Gish”, “Gishgimmash” and “Gilgamesh” in the period of Babylonians, Hetts an Assyrians. While the name of Gilgamesh is translated into the mentioned languages Babylonian, Hett and Assyrian , their forms have naturally changed. But this does not mean that, Gilgamesh is the product of the creativity of the mentioned ethnic minorities. According to the article, the name of Gilgamesh and Garagamish are rightly connected. Summarizing the opinions put forward by a number of authors after analyzing them comparatively, it is concluded that, Gilgamesh is a historical character. He has been a man with clear and analytical thinking and been able to summarize what he has seen and known, applied the cognitive results he reached only for the sake of progress of Uruk, if not considering some minor deficiencies in his actions, popularized as a ruler who loved and protected his nation. He has been known among the Uruk population as a messenger of justice.Facts prove that, “Gilgamesh”, “Bilgemes” or “Bilgames” are of Sumerian origin. Based on the etymology of Gilgamesh, it is related to synthesis of knowledge, ability and heroism, which means “intelligent”, “skillful” and “courageous” man. Such facts as Sumerian root of Sumerian ruler Gilgamesh and his parents, as well as belonging of their language to the group of agglutinative languages prove that he was of Sumerian origin

Keywords

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

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Journal Section

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Authors

Nazim Huseynli This is me

Publication Date

October 1, 2018

Submission Date

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Acceptance Date

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Published in Issue

Year 2018 Volume: 3 Number: 1

APA
Huseynli, N. (2018). Identity Of Gilgamesh. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi, 3(1), 207-218. https://doi.org/10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
AMA
1.Huseynli N. Identity Of Gilgamesh. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi. 2018;3(1):207-218. doi:10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
Chicago
Huseynli, Nazim. 2018. “Identity Of Gilgamesh”. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi 3 (1): 207-18. https://doi.org/10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
EndNote
Huseynli N (October 1, 2018) Identity Of Gilgamesh. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi 3 1 207–218.
IEEE
[1]N. Huseynli, “Identity Of Gilgamesh”, Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 207–218, Oct. 2018, doi: 10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
ISNAD
Huseynli, Nazim. “Identity Of Gilgamesh”. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi 3/1 (October 1, 2018): 207-218. https://doi.org/10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
JAMA
1.Huseynli N. Identity Of Gilgamesh. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi. 2018;3:207–218.
MLA
Huseynli, Nazim. “Identity Of Gilgamesh”. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi, vol. 3, no. 1, Oct. 2018, pp. 207-18, doi:10.26899/inciss.122</doi>
Vancouver
1.Nazim Huseynli. Identity Of Gilgamesh. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi. 2018 Oct. 1;3(1):207-18. doi:10.26899/inciss.122</doi>