pp.183-184
But perhaps the most powerful account of a phase change can be found in allegorical form in humanity's oldest known work of writing literature, The Epic of Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk, civilization's first major city. Cities represented a major change in societal form, and their growth was driven by the Agricultural Revolution. Like us, Gilgamesh was experiencing a rapid change in forms and norms and he was struggling with cultural lag. To build his army, he forced boys to become discipline soldiers, whereas in a tribal culture they would have aspire to be a freebooting warriors -- a change in values.
Gilgamesh himself was a poor excuse for a monarch -- self-indulgent, corrupt, and violent, he abused his power. He took the virginity of young girls and slep with his citizen's brides on their wedding nights. The people of Uruk were so oppressed that they prayed to gods Anu and Aruru to protect them.2
The gods, as they must, decided to teach Gilgamesh a lesson. They created a wild man, Enkidu, an emissary from the old, preagrarian life, and sent him to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh to a test of strength. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu, and they became friends. Together they then journeyed to the dangerous, supernatural Cedar Grove. Driven by their lust for fame, Gilgamesh and Enkidu cut down the virgin stands.3 Gilgamesh himself toppled the Sacred Cedar. But then they went too far and killed the sacred bull of the goddess Ishtar. Gilgamesh had already gotten on Ishtar's bad side by spurning her advances. Now, furious, she punished him by having Enkidu killed. The old life -- the old world -- was now gone forever.
Shattered and for the first time truly cognizant -- and fearful -- of death, a desperate Gilgamesh traveled the earth in search of immortality, his last hope. Of course, his quest was a failure. In the end, the chastened but wiser king returned to Uruk as a mortal.
Early in Gilgamesh's journey, the tavern keeper Siduri gave him some timeless advice:
Gilgamesh, where are you roaming? You will never find the eternal life that you seek. When the gods created mankind, they also created death, and they held back eternal life for themselves alone. But until the end comes, enjoy your life, spend it in happiness, not despair. Savor your food, make each of your days a delight.... Let music and dancing fill your house, love the child who holds you by the hand, and give your wife pleasure in your embrace. That is the best way for a man to live.4
(William H. Davidow and Michael S. Malone, Autonomous revolution : reclaiming the future we've sold to machines, 2020)
