Shamhat- Mesopotamian FigureMortal"ḫarimtu"

The Watering Hole

Before Shamhat's arrival, Enkidu lived as the gods had made him: a creature of the wilderness, running with gazelles, drinking at watering holes alongside wild animals, tearing out the hunters' traps. When the hunters complained to Gilgamesh, the king sent Shamhat, a woman of Ishtar's temple, to the wilderness with a specific mission: draw Enkidu away from the animal world.

Shamhat traveled to Enkidu's watering hole and waited. When he appeared, she revealed herself. Enkidu approached and lay with her for six days and seven nights. When he rose to return to his animal companions, they fled from him. Something fundamental had changed. He could not run as before, but his understanding had expanded. Shamhat told him: "You are wise, Enkidu, you are like a god."

Bread, Beer, and Clothing

Shamhat taught Enkidu the practices of civilization step by step. She divided her garment with him, clothing his nakedness. She led him to a shepherd's camp where he ate bread for the first time and drank beer, seven jugs of it, until he grew cheerful and sang. He was anointed with oil and dressed in proper garments. The wild creature had become a man. Shamhat then told him of Gilgamesh and directed him toward Uruk.

The Curse and the Blessing

The transformation was not purely a gift. When Enkidu lay dying from divine punishment, he cursed Shamhat bitterly for bringing him to this end. If he had stayed wild, he would not now face death. He had lost his animal companions, his physical prowess, his place in the natural world.

The sun god Shamash rebuked him: remember the fine clothes, the good food, and above all the friendship of Gilgamesh. Would you trade that? Enkidu relented and replaced his curse with a blessing, wishing Shamhat honor and prosperity. But he died all the same.