The Epic of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh's offence

Hi everyone,

I have a copy of the ANET translation of the 'Epic of Gilgamesh'

Tablet 2 (iv) line 21 on it says: 'Into the meeting house he has intruded, which is set aside for the people, for wedlock.' The footnote says brideship for wedlock. Could this be a meeting place for brideship in a purely sexual sense, meaning a pick up place?

In line 34 and 36 the words lawful have footnotes. Can there be alternative meanings?

Kind regards

John

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Last updated by jill d #170087
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Enkidu has been chosen from amongst the beasts to be lured into killing Gilgamesh. He's been set upon by a prostitute meant to turn his head, and then is approached with lies about the King. The meeting house is not a pick-up place- it is the holy place where couples are married, and Gilgamesh has claimed the right of prima nocte (I don't know what it was called then) which is the right to bed with any bride on the night of her marriage. It was also known in history as the "lord's right."

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The Epic of Gilgamesh

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