The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the earliest work of literaturediscovered to date. Despite its age, the story is quite up to date. The epic provides drama with notable characters, offers a strong plot, and considers the universal themes of friendship, death, and the search for immortality. Centered on Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, and his friend, the beast-man Enkidu, the tale relates the courage, hopes, fears, and doubts displayed by these two men through their dynamic personalities. Both men are relatable characters struggling to make sense of the world and of themselves, just like all human beings. Several other characters who encounter Gilgamesh such as Siduri and Utnapishtim offer interesting insights about life and the ways of the world in which they live. Though written approximately 450 years before the book of Genesis, the epic includes a narrative of the great flood that covered the entire earth. Whether seeking an adventure story, learning about the thinking of the ancients, or wanting to glean eternal wisdom, this poetic version of The Epic of Gilgamesh with its illustrations will delight the reader.