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134 Figure 40 (Fig. 40). Many verses in the epic tale are devoted to the process by which this artificial creature was humanized, by having unceasing sex with a harlot. When that was achieved, Enkidu was instructed by the gods what his task was: to wrestle, subdue, calm, and then befriend Gilgamesh. So that Gil- gamesh should not be overcome by surprise, the gods in- formed Enkidu, Gilgamesh would be forewarned by means of dreams. That dreams would be used by the gods in such a premeditated manner is made unmistakenly clear by the text (Tablet I, column v, lines 23-24): Before thou comest down from the hills, Gilgamesh will see thee in dreams in Uruk. No sooner was this planned than Gilgamesh did have a dream. He went to his mother, "beloved and wise Ninsun who is versed in all knowledge," and told her of his dream: My mother, I saw a dream last night. There appeared stars in the heavens. Something from the heavens kept coming at me. I tried to lift it; it was too heavy for me. I tried to turn it over, but could not budge it. The people of Uruk were standing about it, the nobles thronged around it, DIVINE ENCOUNTERS well as Gilgamesh and his mother, the goddess Ninsun