Friend and companion of the Mesopotamian hero Gilgamesh .
In the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh , Enkidu is a wild man created by the god Anu . After Gilgamesh defeats him, the two become friends (in some versions Enkidu becomes Gilgamesh's servant). He aids Gilgamesh in killing the divine bull sent by the goddess Ishtar to destroy them. The gods then kill Enkidu in revenge, prompting Gilgamesh to search for immortality.