What is an hero?

Here's some information about a hero:

Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is a legendary figure and a major hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology. He is the central character in the Epic of Gilgamesh, considered one of the oldest surviving works of literature.

  • Origins: Gilgamesh was believed to be a historical king of Uruk, ruling sometime between 2800 and 2500 BC. The legends surrounding him grew over centuries, eventually culminating in the epic poem. He is often described as being two-thirds god and one-third human, granting him superhuman strength and abilities.

  • The Epic: The Epic of Gilgamesh recounts his adventures and his search for immortality. Key events include his friendship with Enkidu (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Enkidu), a wild man tamed and civilized, and their shared exploits, such as defeating Humbaba, the guardian of the Cedar Forest.

  • Quest for Immortality: After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh is overcome with grief and the fear of his own mortality. This drives him to seek Utnapishtim (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Utnapishtim), the only man to have achieved immortality, in the hopes of learning his secret.

  • Lessons and Legacy: Though Gilgamesh ultimately fails to achieve eternal life, he gains wisdom and comes to appreciate the value of human life and earthly accomplishments. He returns to Uruk a wiser king, focused on building and ruling justly. His story explores themes of friendship, loss, the fear of death, and the acceptance of mortality. Gilgamesh represents the archetypal hero - powerful, flawed, and ultimately human.