Gilgamesh is an epic hero somewhat through the whole book. Some might disagree, because, yes, he wasn't a hero before he met Enkidu, but after he died, he searched for immortality, not for him, but for Enkidu. To make him remembered and to honor that he lived. So he could tell people of the best friend you could possibly have (to Gilgamesh), Enkidu.
The story of Gilgamesh reveals values of ancient Mesopotamia, more than you would think. In the first 4 chapters it shows they value friendship, by Enkidu challenging Gilgamesh for his new friends who were being treated unfairly, and he just met them that day. This story also shows this from Enkidu sacrificing his life for his friend Gilgamesh, taking the blame for killing the Bull of Heaven. It also shows they value fame, because at the beginning of the book all he was trying to get was fame, and power from defeating every city around him.
Many of the values of ancient Mesopotamia are shared with us today. For example, in Gilgamesh's time before Enkidu, all he wanted was power and fame. The same is true with many Terrans (people from the Earth) today. They also valued friendship greatly then. For example, Gilgamesh's mother said that a friend was better that a wife. Also, Gilgamesh made a statue of his friend Enkidu. Today we still value friendship, but we value our wives or husbands more. We don't build statues of our friends too often today either. But in both times people stood up for their friends, whether it's taking the blame for something you did in class, helping them in a battle against another army, or sacrificing yourself to the gods.
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