what was the epic of gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem centered on Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, who is part divine and part human. It tells the story of his adventures with his companion Enkidu, their battles (such as against Humbaba, guardian of the Cedar Forest, and the Bull of Heaven), and Gilgamesh's quest for immortality following Enkidu's death. Despite his efforts, Gilgamesh fails to secure eternal life but achieves cultural immortality through his story. The epic explores themes of friendship, mortality, the role of the gods, and the human condition. It is the oldest known epic poem written in cuneiform on clay tablets around 2150 BCE and has influenced many later literary works.