The Epic of Gilgamesh by Albert T Clay Hardback Book 9781618956903

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient poem from Mesopotamia present day Iraq as well as southeast Turkey Syria and southwest Iran and is among the earliest known works of literature Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the mythological heroking Gilgamesh which were gathered into a longer Akkadian epic much later The most complete version existing today is preserved on 12 clay tablets from the library collection of 7thcentury BC Assyrian king Ashurbanipal It was originally titled He who Saw the Deep Sha naqba imuru or Surpassing All Other Kings Shutur eli sharri Gilgamesh was probably a real ruler in the late Early Dynastic II period ca 27th century BCThe story revolves around a relationship between Gilgamesh and his close companion Enkidu Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods as Gilgameshamp39s equal to distract him from oppressing the citizens of Uruk Together they undertake dangerous quests that incur the displeasure of the gods Firstly they journey to the Cedar Mountain to defeat Humbaba its monstrous guardian Later they kill the Bull of Heaven that the goddess Ishtar has sent to punish Gilgamesh for spurning her advancesThe...