Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (9)

Myths Read: 1. Midas 2. Bausis and Philemon 3. Vertumnus and Pomona

Midas: This myth treats about a king called Midas who was granted a wish, anything he could possibly think of would be given to him. He decided he would wish that everything he touched
would be turned into gold. At first he thought it was very fun because very rich and all of his possessions were gold. But as time went by he realized that he couldn't eat beacuse the food he touched turned into gold. So he was starving. At the end they don't specify what happens to him, but they comment that many generations after his story was told.

• I can relate this to Gilgamesh because like Midas Gilgamesh was a king, and also to gain more power and fame,m he put in risk Enkidu's life by exposing him to Huwawa. After he died because the Gods decided it that way. They both asked for unnecessary things they didn't need and got bad consequences.

Bausis and Philemon: Bausis and Philemon were a happy couple that were very poor and humble. They were very kind and one day some visitors came over to their house saying that they didn't have any shelter and asked them if they could spend the night in their hoose.They off course agreed ans accepted their company. While they were serving the wine, they realized that it was renewing itself in the pitcher. Suddenly they realized who their guests were: the Gods! The Gods told them that considering that they had been so kind they should leave their house and take their belongings. They, later named them keepers of the temple.

• This myth relates to Gilgamesh because as Bausis and Philemon Gilgamesh was a good and kind man and wanted the best for everyone.

Vertumnus and Pomona: Is about a man called Vertumnus who loves a nymph called Pomona. She loved to grow apples, trees, plants etc. Vertumnus insists her but she doesn't want anything with any man. So he decides to disguise himself as an old woman and go to her garden considering that no men can enter to this garden. So she dresses up as an old lady and starts telling her that she should pay attention to Vertumnus. She even tells Pomona a story about a man and a woman in a similar situation. At the end the disguise falls and his true identity reveals.

• The one relationship I can see with Gilgamesh in this myth is that in Gilgamesh is that in Gilgamesh there is also a goddess that is in love with Gilgamesh but he doesn't want anything with her. Instead in this myth it is the woman who doesn't want anything with the man. How contradictory!