Humbaba, the mighty, Humbaba, the King: Presentations of Royal Power in the Gilgamesh Tradition (original) (raw)

2015

Abstract

'In this paper I discuss narrative representations of Humbaba from the Gilgamesh tradition. The episode of Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s journey to the Cedar Forest to battle the ogre Humbaba is part of a long-lived narrative tradition in the Near East articulating cultural interactions with the Mediterranean basin. Humbaba, also known as Huwawa, is variously portrayed across the tradition imbuing the figure with demonic, monstrous and animalistic characteristics and attributes. At times this presents Humbaba as a hybrid of terrifying animals, creating a monster not to be challenged. I intend to consider these contributing parts with reference to the awesome nature of royal power. Humbaba will be considered to represent the fearsome, enfeebling, and grotesque morphology of supreme kingship. In this way, the animalism and monstrosity of powerful kings can be approached and evaluated. The presence and continued significance of this episode crosses cultural and chronological barriers. Relevant in Mesopotamian ideology for over a millennium, one can also see possible aspects of influence and interaction within the Greek canon. I endeavour to demonstrate that a core and universal reading can be understood across the entire tradition of the episode articulating the complexities of royal power and succession.​'

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