In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Humbaba guards the Cedar Forest.
Humbaba, also called Huwawa in some versions and translations, is appointed by the sun god Shamash as the forest’s guardian. The Cedar Forest is a remote, sacred and dangerous region associated with the divine realm. Its valuable trees also make it an attractive target for heroic exploitation.
Gilgamesh decides to seek fame by entering the forest with Enkidu. The goddess Ishtar’s brother Shamash assists them by sending powerful winds against Humbaba. Although Humbaba pleads for his life, the heroes ultimately kill him and cut down cedars.
The episode is sometimes treated as a straightforward monster-slaying adventure, but it also raises questions about trespassing in a protected divine space and destroying its resources. Humbaba is not simply a random beast: he is a guardian with a specific divine duty.