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Gilgamesh Influence

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The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority. Based on my reading of The Epic of Gilgamesh, I found that influence of the leader in the Ancient Near East, was pivotal in order for the society to function. The Mesopotamian society had three major factors; economics, politics, and a system of values. All of these factors were intertwined, where one factor has influence on all the others. So when someone like Gilgamesh relies on his ability to lead only with authority, the society begins to divide. The arrogance of Gilgamesh not only leads him to trouble, but it allows him to overcome those troubles and be reborn as the leader he wants to be remembered for. The beginning of Mesopotamian society began with the rise of the City-States …show more content…

With Gilgamesh coming to realization of his mortality, he departs from Uruk on a second journey. Unlike the first journey, Gilgamesh isn’t setting off avid for glory and fame. Instead, he is embarking on a journey to discover himself. Gilgamesh was known for ruling with an iron fist, he was able to get away with anything he wanted by invoking fear into the townspeople. On the other hand, Hammurabi of Babylon provides a perfect example of how to treat your townspeople. Hammurabi not only expanded his peoples territory, but he also built up infrastructure and put in a system of laws. The use of power and fear can only get you so far, and then people begin to question your ability to lead, much like Gilgamesh’s situation. On his second journey Gilgamesh doesn’t flip a switch and become some influential leader that everyone approves of. However, his journey serves as a baptism of sort. After talking to Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh finally finds the answers to his questions about eluding death: he can’t. People die, but humankind will continue on. Even though he didn’t get the results he wanted, they freed him in a way. If he takes his newfound mindset back to Uruk and rules it well, Uruk will live on in his name and continue to grow and

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