In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu becomes Gilgamesh’s closest companion.
The goddess Aruru creates Enkidu from clay in response to the people’s complaints about Gilgamesh. Enkidu initially lives among wild animals and represents a life outside the settled world of cities. A temple courtesan named Shamhat introduces him to human society, after which he travels to Uruk.
Enkidu first confronts Gilgamesh, but their struggle develops into a profound friendship. Together they defeat Humbaba in the Cedar Forest and kill the Bull of Heaven sent by Ishtar. These victories establish them as heroic partners but also bring divine punishment.
Enkidu’s death is the emotional turning point of the epic. Gilgamesh’s grief drives him to search for a way to escape death, making Enkidu central not only to the adventure but also to the epic’s meditation on mortality.