The Epic of Gilgamesh

Dating back over four thousand years The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the world's first important literary work.

King Gilgamesh is the tyrant ruler of Uruk, answering the call of his people, the gods send the wildman Enkidu; Gilgamesh's counterpart and equal. The two become friends and embark on grand adventures. Like the Homeric epics to follow, the two protagonists face great perils in the form of beasts and also encounter many gods in their path.

In telling the story of King Gilgamesh's struggle against age and death as he seek life eternal, the poem deals with themes of duty, friendship and family. Anyone who enjoys the art of writing should at least be curious to read from the first tablets of the medium. The poetry is beautiful and Andrew George's translation does well to take the collected tablets and create a flowing poetic verse accessible to modern readers.