Summary of Tablet IX

Gilgamesh, after mourning Enkidu's death, decides to set out on yet another quest. This quest is to find Uta-napishti, the survivor, to find out how to achieve immortality. He must venture very far to reach Uta-napishti, through many treacherous mountains. He comes across two beasts, scorpion-men. The creatures note how only the immortal come across their path in the mountains. Gilgamesh explains that he is seeking immortality. They creatures let him pass through and give him directions to Uta-napishti. As he walks through the mountians, he cannot see before him or behind him. He later finds himself in a light-filled garden with the colours of precious stones.