The story of Gilgamesh is an epic poem that revolves around the King of Uruk, Gilgamesh, who is 2/3 G-d and 1/3 human. He reigns over his city with an iron fist, doing whatever he wants with no regard for the citizens of the city. The citizens soon became fed up with their ruthless tyrant, so they went to the only source that they could go to to bring peace back to their town, the g-ds. The g-ds answered their pleads by bringing forth a being of equal strength, Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Enkidu soon became friends and from their on decided to test their strength against a renowned monster. So the two went to Humbaba the monster of the forest and after a great battle, Gilgamesh had slain Humbaba, but not without a price. Enkidu died during the battle with Humbaba but it taught Gilgamesh to appreciate life more. When Gilgamesh goes back to his town he understand what it means to appreciate what you have and begins to treat his citizens with kindness.
The lesson that Gilgamesh learns is a very important one. He learns that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Before Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh as the strongest, Gilgamesh power went unchecked and therefore he was able to do whatever he wanted to. He then learned that life is short and it can end at any moment (shown to him by the death of Enkidu) and life should not be made to make his citizens life difficult and miserable.
