Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, The Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others

Front Cover
Stephanie Dalley
OUP Oxford, 2000 - Fiction - 339 pages
The ancient civilization of Mesopotamia thrived between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates over 4,000 years ago. The myths collected here, originally written in cuneiform on clay tablets, include parallels with the biblical stories of the Creation and the Flood, and the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, the tale of a man of great strength, whose heroic quest for immortality is dashed through one moment of weakness. Recent developments in Akkadian grammar and lexicography mean that this new translation, complete with notes, a glossary of deities, place-names, and key terms, and illustrations of the mythical monsters featured in the text, will replace all other versions. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
 

Contents

Atrahasis
1
The Epic of Gilgamesh standard version
39
The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld
154
Nergal and Ereshkigal standard version
163
Adapa
182
Etana
189
Anzu standard version
203
The Epic of Creation
228
Theogony of Dunnu
278
Erra and Ishum
282
Glossary of Deities Places and Key Terms
317
Select Bibliography
332
Supplementary Passages
338
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2000)

Stephanie Dalley is Shillito Fellow in Assyriology at the Oriental Institute, Oxford and a Senior Research Fellow, Somerville College, Oxford.

Bibliographic information