人类最早的文明美索不达米亚所流传下来的世界上最早的一部文字记录的史诗《吉尔伽美什》(Gilgamesh)中,男主角吉尔伽美什在目睹了其最好的朋友enkidu挂掉后,企图找寻永生之法,在找寻的路上他遇见了仙女Siduri。吉尔伽美什问仙女该如何取得永生,仙女告知他: When the gods made men, they saw death for men; they kept life for themselves. Thou, Gilgamesh, fill thy belly and make merry by day and night. On each day make a feast, and dance and play, day and night.(cited from Histoire des religions, vol.1)