Gilgamesh (ギルガメッシュ, Girugamesshu) is a recurring character in the Final
Fantasy games. He thinks of himself as a master swordsman and sword collector, but more often than not, he loses his battles, if he does not run away
first. He frequently appears with his partner, Enkidu. In most, if not all, of his appearances, Gilgamesh is searching for the legendary sword, Excalibur,
often mistaking Excalipoor for the powerful weapon. Another trademark of Gilgamesh is Genji equipment, which can be stolen from or dropped by him. He is
named after Gilgamesh, the Sumerian King who was the main character in the Epic of Gilgamesh. A man called Enkidu also appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh is easily recognized because of his garish clothing, all-talk attitude and grey complexion. He has many arms, in which he holds an arsenal of
different weapons.
Gilgamesh was an actual king of an ancient Sumerian region called Uruk, reigning around 2650 BCE. He is also the main character of the Epic of
Gilgamesh, which is among one of the earliest known literary works, the most complete edition dating back to the 7th century BCE, though earlier
editions date back to about 2000 BCE. The Epic of Gilgamesh centers around the epic king and demi-god Gilgamesh and the wild man Enkidu, who was
sent to kill him. After a fight between the two in which Gilgamesh defeats Enkidu, they become loyal friends and embark on several epic adventures. Their
first quest entails traveling to the great Cedar Forest to chop down the mightiest tree and bring it back to Uruk with them. First, however, they must kill
the guardian of the forest, the mighty Humbaba. After fighting and defeating Humbaba, he begs Gilgamesh and Enkidu to be merciful and spare his life.
Gilgamesh wants to let Humbaba go, but Enkidu convinces Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba. Gilgamesh and Enkidu cut down the largest tree in the Cedar Forest and
return to Uruk. It is said that Gilgamesh was desperate for some manner to cheat his own eventual death. A large portion of the Epic was devoted for
Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's quest for such a thing. Enkidu is killed on this quest, spurring Gilgamesh to look harder for some means to cheat death. |
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