The Eric of Gilgamesh begins with a preface that introduces Gilgamesh not as a man but as a hero. This harsh tyrant "who saw the deep," is praised; he is the bringer of wisdom, and the man who built the massive walls around Uruk. The strong, handsome, physically perfect hero exhausts young men with contests of strength. Gilgamesh claims the right to sleep with any woman before her wedding night, also known as "droit de signeur." The women of the city complain to the sun god Anu who responds by working with Arurus the mother of gods to create a rival for Gilgamesh. Enkidu, made out of clay is created to be Gilgamesh rival. Enkidu is a creature of the wild, his hiri is uncut and he grazes with the animals. Enkidu begins to plague a hunter who spots him at the watering hole with the animals. The hunter goes to Uruk where Gilgamesh tells him to allow Shamhat, a prostitute, to seduce Enkidu, marking him as a man. This is the way that it happens, Enkidu is irresistibly attracted to Shamhat and they couple for seven nights. Afterwards, Enkidu, is shunned by the herd because he is now more then a man than an animal. Shamhat convinces Enkidu to leave the wild and go to Uruk with her to meet Gilgamesh and challenge his power. Shamhat tells Enkidu about dreams that Gilgamesh has had, foreshadowing the arrival of Enkidu as a companion rather than a rival. His mother, Ninsun, explained these two strange dreams saying that Enkidu will come as Gilgamesh's friend and redeemer. Gilgamesh accepts this news willingly because he is in need of a friend.
             Shamhat teaches Enkidu of civilization and he is clothed and learns to eat human food. Enkidu hears of the ritual of sleeping with the bride-to-be and is discouraged. He blocks Gilgamesh's path to sleep with a bride-to-be and they struggle against one another until they earn each other's respect and kiss. Enkidu has been thought to be a rival of Gilgamesh, but the two form a companionship and secide to ...