The Epic of Gilgamesh: Lines 217–441

This collection covers vocabulary from the ancient Mesopotamian epic poem about the king of Uruk, as translated by R. Campbell Thompson and William Muse Arnold, compiled by Laura Getty.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Lines 1–216, Lines 217–441, Lines 442–663, Lines 664–894, Lines 895–1130

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vigor
    active strength of body or mind
    Enkidu—he was their guardian—became a man of full vigor.
  2. populace
    people in general considered as a whole
    Enkidu, going in front with the temple girl coming behind him,
    Entered broad-marketed Uruk; the populace gathered behind him,
    Then, as he stopped in the street of broad-marketed Uruk, the people
    Thronging behind him exclaimed “Of a truth, like to Gilgamesh is he,
    Shorter in stature, but his composition is stronger.”
  3. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
    Gilgamesh bent his leg to the ground: so his fury abated,
    And his anger was quelled: Enkidu thus to Gilgamesh spoke:
  4. quell
    overcome or allay
    Gilgamesh bent his leg to the ground: so his fury abated,
    And his anger was quelled: Enkidu thus to Gilgamesh spoke:
  5. artisan
    a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
    And now in the Seven Bolt Portal of Uruk
    Hearing the noise did the artisans gather, assembled the people,
    There in the streets of broad-marketed Uruk, in Gilgamesh’s honor,
    So did the Elders of Uruk the broad-marketed take seat before him.
  6. valor
    courage when facing danger
    Gilgamesh, it is because you are young that your valor makes you too confident,
    Nor do you know to the full what you seek to accomplish.
  7. conclave
    a confidential or secret meeting
    We, O King, in our conclave have paid close attention to your welfare;
    You, O King, shall pay attention to us in return.
  8. abhor
    feel hatred or disgust toward
    The Sun god abhors all evil things, Shamash hates evil; Ask him to help us.
  9. adornment
    a decoration that is added to relieve plainness
    So Ninsun listened to her offspring, to Gilgamesh,
    Entered her chamber and decked herself with the flowers of Tulal,
    Put the festival clothes on her body,
    Put on the festival adornments of her bosom, her head with a circlet crowned,
    Climbed the stairway, ascended to the roof, and the parapet mounted,
    Offered her incense to Shamash...
  10. entreaty
    earnest or urgent request
    “Here I present myself, Shamash, to lift up my hands in entreaty
    That my life may be spared; bring me again to the ramparts of Uruk:
    Give me your protection. I will give you homage.”
  11. homage
    respectful deference
    “Here I present myself, Shamash, to lift up my hands in entreaty
    That my life may be spared; bring me again to the ramparts of Uruk:
    Give me your protection. I will give you homage.”
  12. cleave
    make by cutting into
    May he level the path that is blocked, cleave a road through the forest for you to walk.
  13. grandeur
    the quality of being magnificent or splendid
    O, if I had but known, O Gate, of your grandeur,
    Then I would lift an ax...
  14. lofty
    having or displaying great dignity or nobility
    Ishtar, the lofty goddess, desired him and said:
    “Come, Gilgamesh, be my spouse,
    Give, O give to me your manly strength.
    Be my husband, let me be your wife,
    And I will set you in a chariot embossed with precious stones and gold,
    With wheels made of gold, and shafts of sapphires.
    Large kudanu-lions you shall harness to it.
  15. tribute
    something given or done as an expression of esteem
    Whatever the mountain and the countryside produces, they shall bring to you as tribute.
Created on Mon Aug 17 03:07:05 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 18 15:16:11 EDT 2026)

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