In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh does not actually die. Unlike many heroes in ancient literature who meet their end in dramatic fashion, Gilgamesh’s story focuses more on his quest for immortality.
After the death of his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh embarks on a long journey seeking eternal life, driven by the fear of death. He encounters various beings and faces numerous challenges, but ultimately learns that immortality is reserved for the gods. Instead of meeting a tragic death, he returns to his city of Uruk with a newfound understanding of the human condition and the inevitability of death.
Rather than dying in the traditional sense, Gilgamesh gains wisdom through his experiences, and his legacy continues through his actions as a king, thus achieving a different kind of immortality through the memories of his people.