Throughout history, the success of a society has hinged on the effectiveness of their leaders, and each civilization’s leader ruled differently based on what they valued in that particular society. "The Epic of Gilgamesh" tells the story of two men who hold leadership roles yet have obvious philosophical differences. The people of Uruk desire a leader who values both military conquests along with compassion for the people in their city. As the epic progresses, the protagonist Gilgamesh and his rival Enkidu develop as characters independently and are finally brought together at the end; clearly two sides of the same coin. They each possess qualities that, when brought together, allow the reader to see the idealized Mesopotamian concept of a leader. In the past, iconic world leaders were not typically remembered for their economic developments or cultural initiatives, but rather because of their military conquests and their personal pursuits of pleasure. In "The Epic of Gilgamesh," Gilgamesh represents this model of leadership, as he was created by the gods and endowed with qualities of a great military leader. The gods “gave him a perfect body endowed him with courage, [and was] terrifying like a great wild bull” (Anonymous Sumerian, The Epic of Gilgamesh, 45). Being created by the gods, he was two thirds god and one third man. Gilgamesh built a great wall in Uruk where “the outer wall where the cornice runs, shines with the brilliance of copper; and the inner wall, has no equal” for it was a good wall made of burnt brick (Anonymous Sumerian, The Epic of Gilgamesh, 45). The wall acted as defense for the city, providing protection and keeping enemies out. Gilgamesh is an effective leader because of his success in keeping the city of Uruk safe from harm; however, his downfall is that “his arrogance [had] no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes from all, even the children His lust leaves