In Sumerian mythology, the goddess Aruru creates Enkidu to challenge Gilgamesh.
In the opening movement of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the people of Uruk complain about Gilgamesh’s oppressive behavior. The gods respond by asking Aruru, a creator goddess, to make a counterpart who can match the king’s strength.
Aruru forms Enkidu from clay. He first lives in the wilderness among animals, far from city life and human institutions. His later encounter with Shamhat begins his movement from the wild world into human society.
Aruru is sometimes identified or closely associated with Ninhursag in Mesopotamian religious tradition, which can cause confusion in simplified retellings. In the Standard Babylonian epic, however, Aruru is the name used for the goddess who creates Enkidu. Enkidu’s creation is intended to balance Gilgamesh, not simply to produce another servant or soldier.