He set out hastily, reached the foothills of the mountain, that mountain which, every day, guards the coming and going of the sun. its crest rises to high heaven. Its breast reaches down to the underworld. At its gate, the Scorpions stand guard. Terrifying is the awe they inspire, and to look at them is to die. Their terrible splendour spread over the mountains. The Man-Scorpion cries out to his mate: “this one who comes to us now is flesh of the gods.” The mate of the Man-Scorpion addressed himself to the gods’ son: “why have you come on so great a journey?” Gilgamesh answered: “if I have travelled such a long journey, it is to find Uta-Napishtim, my ancestor, who attended a gathering of gods and there found Life. I want to question him on death and life!” the Man-Scorpion, opened his mouth, and said to Gilgamesh: “Nobody has ever trodden over this path but Shamash the hero”.