The Epic of Gilgamesh

Justice is described as a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, fairness, or equity. The people of ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia also believed and relied on this concept. Rulers, if not fair and just, were often eliminated by their subjects or their enemies. There were many great kings and pharaohs of the ancient age that were just to their kingdoms, and these often went down in history. Yet, those kings and pharaohs who were blinded by their own selfishness often became just as famous. Two men, Akhenaten of ancient Egypt and Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, were such rulers. They were powerful and cunning individuals, yet they let their own selfish nature ruin the ability to be a great leader.

Gilgamesh was said to be the spawn of a god and a human woman. His handsome features, great strength, and cunning intelligence were supposedly the best in the land. Yet, he did not rule his kingdom with justice. He often took advantage of his citizens for his own personal pleasures. The following quote, “For Gilgamesh, the King of Broad-Marted Uruk, open is the veil of the people for choosing. He will have intercourse with the 'destined wife', he first, the husband afterwards. (Gilgamesh 17)”, was once such incident. He took it upon himself to sleep with the new wives of his people, saying that the gods decreed it. After he met Enkidu, a boy from the wilderness, he began to show compassion. Enkidu was outraged by his act with the wives. He, during his time with Enkidu, begins to show a small sign of morality towards his people... but that is swiftly ended by the death of his young friend. Afterward, he goes into a deep stage of mourning, forcing his citizens to do so also. He also beings ...

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...ent as ruler. He let his people suffer, and fall because of this. “As for Egypt, it lay sore with wounds, bleeding under the weight of our blunders. (Akhenaten 129)”

Both Gilgamesh and Akhenaten were great, and brilliant men. Yet, as rulers, they let their own selfishness cause them to utterly fail. They had forsaken justice, and equality for their people... and instead let them wallow in misery because of their own wants or pleasures. Gilgamesh and Akhenaten are not famous, simply because they ruined their kingdoms. They are famous so that others do not repeat the same mistakes. The great pharaoh of Egypt, and king of Uruk have a lesson to teach us. We cannot let our own narcissistic ideals get in the way of what truly must be done. In positions of leadership, those below us absolutely rely on our guidance. If we fail them, we are ultimately failing ourselves.