Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is a Babylonian epic from three thousand years ago, which tells of King Gilgamesh’s friendship with the wild man Enkidu and his pursuit of immortality when Enkidu dies. It is a story about human relationships, loss and grief, the confrontation with death, the destruction of nature, insomnia and restlessness, finding peace in one’s community, the folly of gods, heroes, and monsters—and more. Millennia after its composition, Gilgamesh continues to speak to us in myriad ways. Sophus Helle translates the text from the original Akkadian. An introduction and five accompanying essays unpack the history and main themes of the epic, guiding readers to a deeper appreciation of this ancient masterpiece.