Ur-šanabi

Ur-šanabi (pronounced Ur-shanabi) is the divine ferryman of Uta-napišti mentioned in the Gilgameš epic . Like Huwawa, it is surrounded by a seven-coat radiance that makes it unassailable. In addition, Ur-šanabi does work in the “sacred cedar forest”, where he frees the cedars from the branches. The scene in which Gilgameš meets Ur-šanabi probably takes place at the mouth of the river in a gemstone garden. Siduri , the landlady of a bank tavern , refers Gilgamesh to the ferryman Ur-šanabi because of his intended crossing to the " Land of the Blessed ":

“ ⁸⁷  Oh Gilgameš, there (on the bank) is Ur-šanabi, the skipper of Uta-napišti, ^{88 in the}  middle of the forest he frees the cedars from branches. ⁹⁸  He (Gilgamesh) saw him (Ur-šanabi) and covered himself in his radiance. ¹⁵⁰  "But now, Ur-šanabi, how is the way to Uta-napišti?" ¹⁶⁹  Ur-šanabi and Gilgamesh got into the ship, ¹⁷⁰  they lowered the barge and drove away. "

- Tenth tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh

It seems that there is a connection between Siduri and Ur-šanabi, since Ur-šanabi probably visits the wooded banks of the Siduri more often. Apart from that, Ur-šanabi makes rods for his crossings together with the divine beings " Die Steinernen ". Gilgameš, however, had destroyed “the stone ones” and now had to make the poles on his own.

Ur-šanabi and Gilgameš finally arrive at Uta-napišti on his island "Land of the Blessed" despite difficulties during the crossing.

literature

• Stefan M. Maul : The Gilgamesh Epic. Newly translated and commented. 3rd revised edition. Beck, Munich 2006, ISBN 3-406-52870-8 .