The Gilgamesh Epic

The Gilgamesh Epic is a classic piece of literature that tells the story of Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk in ancient Mesopotamia. This epic poem is believed to be one of the oldest surviving works of literature, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. The book, written by Lewis Spence, provides a comprehensive translation and analysis of the epic. Spence delves into the themes and motifs of the story, examining the character of Gilgamesh and his relationships with other characters, such as Enkidu and Ishtar. The Gilgamesh Epic is divided into twelve tablets, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first tablet introduces Gilgamesh and his exploits, while the subsequent tablets explore his friendship with Enkidu, their journey to the Cedar Forest, and their battle with the giant Humbaba. The latter half of the epic focuses on Gilgamesh's quest for immortality, as he seeks out the advice of the wise man Utnapishtim, who survived a great flood and was granted eternal life by the gods. Overall, The Gilgamesh Epic is a fascinating exploration of ancient Mesopotamian culture and mythology. Spence's translation and analysis make this classic work accessible to modern readers, providing insight into the human condition that is still relevant today.THIS 40 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Myths and Legends: Babylonia and Assyria, by Lewis Spence. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564595005.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.