Chapter 6 Summary

Watching the battle between Humbaba and the two friends, the goddess Ishtar is moved from enraged to enamored. Seeing his bravery and his skill in battle, she falls in love with Gilgamesh.

After watching the two victors for a time as they bathe and rest after destroying the monster, she approaches Gilgamesh and threatens great punishment for the death of Humbaba unless he agrees to be her husband. Gilgamesh refuses repeatedly, driving Ishtar to tears. He reminds her that every lover she has ever taken has been destroyed, when she eventually and inevitably tires of him. In return for this mortal's insolence, Ishtar calls the gods to battle against Gilgamesh and Enkidu, but the pair ignores her and set off for Uruk.

With the return of the two heroes, a holiday is declared in Uruk and, as singers make up songs about the...