In Sumerian mythology, Utu is the sun god who helps Gilgamesh.
Utu is the Sumerian deity of the sun, justice and judgment. In the Gilgamesh traditions, he supports Gilgamesh and Enkidu during their expedition to the Cedar Forest. In the Standard Babylonian version, the comparable god is usually named Shamash, Utu’s Akkadian counterpart.
This difference in names reflects the multilingual world of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerian religious traditions used Utu, while Akkadian texts commonly used Shamash. The two names refer to the same broad solar deity within related Mesopotamian systems.
Utu’s role is not limited to sunlight. As a divine judge, he sees what happens across the world and can protect travelers and heroes. This makes his assistance to Gilgamesh and Enkidu part of a wider connection between the sun, justice and divine oversight.