Loyalty in the Epic of Gilgamesh The ancient Mesopotamian writing, The Epic of Gilgamesh, gives readers insight into the traditions and customs of the people who wrote it. Like all epics, The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of a heroic national figure: this epic tells the life of Gilgamesh from his birth as a two-thirds god and one-third man until his death. Throughout the epic, the importance of loyalty is addressed. In The Epic of Gilgamesh readers see that loyalty is the most important aspect of a Mesopotamian relationship and that there are always consequences for violating trust. The understanding of loyalty and the consequences of breaking loyalty is first along with Enkidu's civilization. Before his civilization "Enkidu ate the grass of the hills with the gazelle and hid with the wild beasts; he enjoyed the water with the heads of the game" (63). Enkidu not only lived with the animals of the hills, "he helps the game to escape; he fills my pits and sets up my traps" (64). The hill animals trusted Enkidu. No other man would have been allowed to run with these animals, but they accepted Enkidu. The young fur trapper became displeased with Enkidu's actions. The hunter travels to Uruk to ask Gilgamesh for advice. Gilgamesh advises the hunter to "turn back, bring with her a son of pleasure. At the watering hole she will undress, and when he sees his beckon he will embrace her, and the wild game will surely reject him" (64) . This passage demonstrates the known consequences of violating a loyalty. Gilgamesh knows that Enkidu will not be able to resist the temptation of a woman. The hill animals distrust humans and by being with a woman Enkidu will violate the animals' trust. The hunter takes a prostitute and returns the fields. Gilgamesh's plan works well: "As he lay upon his murmur of love, she taught him the art of womanhood. For six days and seven nights they lay together, for Enkidu had forgotten his home in the hills; but when he was satisfied he returned to the village. Wild beasts. Then, when the gazelle saw him, they ran away" (65). Just as Gilgamesh had predicted, Enkidu gave in to human desire and became civilized. The animals were betrayed and no longer accepted Enkidu as their own.