Credible Theories
Sumer and Babylon · Gilgamesh, tablets II–V

Humbaba and the seven auras

ReferenceGilgamesh, tablets II–V
Writtenc. 1800–1000 BCE
SetThe Cedar Forest (Lebanon)
Enlil sets Humbaba to guard the Cedar Forest, the dwelling of the gods. He wears seven terrifying radiances (melammu). Gilgamesh and Enkidu strip them off one by one before killing him.

Summary by the editors. Translation: Summary in my own words

Read it literally

A guardian with layered shields, protecting a site near Hermon. Tie it to the Watchers' landing zone.

What scholars say

The Cedar Forest is in the same region as Mount Hermon.

Giants and hybrids Looks like technology
People and places hereCedar Forest

Quick answers about Gilgamesh, tablets II–V

Where is Gilgamesh, tablets II–V found?

Gilgamesh, tablets II–V (Sumer and Babylon). Translation quoted: Summary in my own words.

When was Gilgamesh, tablets II–V written?

c. 1800–1000 BCE.

What do scholars say about Gilgamesh, tablets II–V?

The Cedar Forest is in the same region as Mount Hermon.

Rabbit holes in this passage

GodEnlilThe lord of the wind and king of the gods at Nippur, who sent plague, drought, and finally the Flood because humans were too noisy.PersonGilgameshThe two-thirds-divine king of Uruk who fought monsters and sought eternal life, and who reappears among the giants in the Dead Sea Scrolls.BeingHumbabaThe monstrous guardian of the Cedar Forest, wrapped in seven terrors, whom Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed against the will of the gods.PlaceMount HermonThe 9,200-foot peak where, according to 1 Enoch, two hundred Watchers landed and swore their oath.BeingThe Watchers (Grigori)Heavenly beings who never sleep, sent to watch humanity, who in the Enoch books came down, took wives, and taught forbidden arts.

Sources

  1. Enlil and Ninlil, ETCSL t.1.2.1, University of OxfordPrimary text
  2. Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet I, trans. R. Campbell Thompson (1928)Primary text
  3. Gilgamesh and Huwawa, version A, ETCSL t.1.8.1.5, University of OxfordPrimary text
  4. 1 Enoch 6:6, trans. R. H. Charles, The Book of Enoch (1917)Primary text

Scholarly dates are rounded. The wording follows the named public-domain translation.

Updated