Love Stories

What is the oldest love story in history?   There are many ancient love stories that have been passed down through generations, but one of the oldest recorded love stories is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which dates back to ancient Mesopotamia (circa 2100 BCE). The story tells of the friendship between Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods. When Enkidu is sent to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh, the two become close friends and embark on many adventures together. However, when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh is filled with grief and sets out on a quest for immortality. The story also includes a subplot involving the goddess Ishtar, who falls in love with Gilgamesh and is rejected by him. Ishtar's wrath causes many of the story's conflicts and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spurning the affections of a deity. While the Epic of Gilgamesh is not solely a love story, it contains elements of love, friendship, and loss that continue to resonate ...