What was the name of the harlot who civilized Enkidu?

The harlot who civilized Enkidu in the Epic of Gilgamesh is Shamhat. Sent to encounter the wild man at a watering hole, she draws him away from the animals and begins his entry into human society.

In the Standard Babylonian version, Shamhat has sex with Enkidu for six days and seven nights. Afterward, the wild animals no longer accept him as one of their own. Shamhat then takes him to a shepherds’ camp, where he learns to eat bread, drink beer, wear clothing, and live among people. She ultimately guides him toward Uruk and his fateful meeting with Gilgamesh.

The label “harlot” reflects a traditional translation, but her exact social role is debated. The Akkadian term harimtu does not always mean “prostitute,” and modern scholars differ over whether Shamhat should be called a temple prostitute, sacred prostitute, or simply a sexually experienced woman. She is also distinct from Ishtar, Shamash, and Siduri, who have separate roles in the epic.