Being god-like has proven useful many times throughout the epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is able to defeat horrible monsters and travel great distances faster so being divine definitely has its perks. However, this holiness affects Gilgamesh in ways that are not so physical. Even when terrorizing his own kingdom, Gilgamesh is admired and adored. While describing him at the start of Book One, Gilgamesh is called “ . . . beloved by his soldiers-/ . . . /protector of the people,/raging flood that destroys all defenses-” (71). The beginning of the book continues with considering Gilgamesh great in one breath, while damning him for his deeds in another.
Though his citizens do not appreciate their leader’s actions, they do enjoy his strength
