page_title: Gilgamesh and Aga
section_title: Gilgamesh and Aga
hierarchical_section_title: Gilgamesh and Aga / Analysis and historicity / Gilgamesh and Aga
caption_attribution_description: English: Enthroned King of Ur
context_page_description: Gilgamesh and Aga, sometimes referred to as incipit The envoys of Aga is a Old Babylonian poem written in Sumerian. Being the only of the five poems of Gilgamesh that has no mythological aspects, it was subject of discussion since its publication in 1935 and later translation in 1949.
  The poem records the Kishite siege of Uruk after lord Gilgamesh refused to submit after him; ending in Aga's defeat and consequently the fall of Kish's hegemony. While the historicity of the war remains an open question, attempts have been made to assign a historical date. The suggested date is around 2600 BC since archaeological evidence traces the fall of Kish hegemony between ED II and ED III. The location of the battle is described as having occurred outside the walls of Uruk, situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates River.
  The conflict between Uruk and Kish and the relations between Gilgamesh and Aga seemed to cast light on intercity politics and on the nature of governmental institutions, the citizens’ assembly, and the emergence of kingship.
context_section_description: In the denouement Gilgamesh addresses Aga as his superior, recalling how Aga had once given him safe refuge. Aga asks Gilgamesh to repay his favour and Gilgamesh accordingly lets him go free to Kish.
  Gilgamesh speaks:
  Aga my lieutenant! Aga my captain!
   
  Aga my commander! Aga my field marshal! 
   
  Aga you gave me breath, Aga, you gave me life.
  Aga you took to your bosom a man on the run.
  Aga, a runaway bird you sated with grain.
  Aga speaks:
  Uruk, the smithy of the Gods.
   
  Its great rampart, a couldbank resting on the earth.
   
  Its lofty residence, founded by the god An. 
   
  Are given into your charge: Repay me my favour!
  Gilgamesh speaks:
  Before Utu I hereby repay you the favour of the old!
  
  He let Aga go free to Kish.
  According to Jacobsen, Gilgamesh was appointed in Uruk as a vassal by his king Aga, then moved by an heroic pride, instigated a rebellion.
  Gilgamesh manipulates Aga on acknowledging the relief of Uruk from Kish and the end of its supremacy. His freedom to return was a repay for Aga's favours in the past. This interpretation matches with the insurgence of Gilgamesh power, both as from lord to king, and in the personal level with Aga, from a vassal to an independent king.
caption: Enthroned King of Ur
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