Enkidu and the Cortisan | 16" x 7" x 8"

The story of 
ENKIDU AND THE COURTESAN
(Excerpted from Joseph Campbell,
The Masks of God – Occidental Mythology)

There was a time in ancient Sumeria, the great Goddess, Aruru, created a great God-king, Gilgamesh, who was most powerful and reigned over the city of Uruk. The people of Uruk, respected Gilgamesh, and yet were outraged by his actions and felt powerless to change him as he would systematically demand the first night with every virgin in the city. 
The people prayed to the mother goddess, Aruru, “You created Gilgamesh, now create his counterpart”. When she heard this, she conceived in her heart a likeness of Anu, the god of heaven, washed her hands, took a piece of clay, cast it on the ground, and so created the valiant Enkidu. 

Enkidu’s body was hairy, his locks like a woman’s or like the goddess of grain. His clothes were like a deity of the flocks.

Gilgamesh discovered Enkidu by word of a hunter who complained of this powerful being who released animals from his traps. He reported Enkidu’s prowess and animal strength to his king, and his ability to bond with the beasts. To disempower Enkidu, Gilgamesh employs a young town courtesan to beckon him away from the beasts. 

The woman did as she was told. She found Enkidu in the wilderness, made bare her breasts, revealed her nakedness. Enkidu came and took possession. She was not afraid, but having put aside her clothes, welcomed his ardor; and for six days and seven nights, Enkidu remained mating with the temple maid’s abundance – after which he turned his face and made a move toward the beasts. But on seeing him, they ran off, and Enkidu was amazed. His body stiffened, his knees froze – the animals were gone. It was not as it was before. 

Enkidu returned to the woman and, sitting at her feet, gazed up into her face, and as she spoke, his ears gave heed. “You are beautiful, Enkidu, like a very god.” She said to him. “Why do you run with the beasts of the plane? Come, and I will take you where Gilgamesh dwells, unmatched in might, who, like a wild bull, wields power over men.” And as he heard, his heart grew light. He yearned for a friend. “Very well!” he said. “And I shall challenge him. Shouting, I shall cry out in Uruk. I am he who is mighty and can change destinies, he was born mighty on the planes!”
She took his hand and led him to the city of Uruk to be tamed in the ways of the gods and humans and to be primed for the challenge with Gilgamesh. 

Enkidu encounters Gilgamesh in the streets of Uruk and a great battle ensues. Gilgamesh in the streets of Uruk and a great battle ensues. Gilgamesh recognizes his equal in strength and admits his defeat, but Enkidu requests his friendship. The two become lifelong friends, wherein many, many tales of their adventures exist.