The Epic of Gilgamesh: An Old Babylonian VersionThis epic poem is the oldest known to exist in history, predating Homer's Iliad by about 1500 years. Gilgamesh, the hero, discovers he has godly blood, so sets out on a journey to the land of the gods in an attempt to gain entry. It is of ancient Sumerian origin, from the land called Mesopotamia. It is an important work for those studying ancient literature, history and mythology. This Babylonian version is one of the oldest known, if not the oldest. Later renditions are more common and seem to embellish the story, so this work is important for serious researchers. From the standpoint of literature alone, it is also an interesting tale that is enjoyable to read. |
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The Epic of Gilgamesh: An Old Babylonian Version Morris Jastrow,Albert Clay No preview available - 2015 |
The Epic of Gilgamesh: An Old Babylonian Version Morris Jastrow,Albert T. Clay No preview available - 2015 |
Common terms and phrases
a-na Akkadian Amorites Amurru animals appears Aruru Assyrian Dictionary Assyrian version Atra-hasis beginning Biblical Brünnow bull cedar forest colophon correspond to line death deluge story dEn-ki-du described designation dream dwelling dynasty En-ki-dũ encounter Enkidu Enkidu and Gilgamesh Enlil episode Erech fourth tablet fragment gamesh Gilga Gilgamesch-Epos Gilgamesh Epic Giš Gish Gish-bil-ga-mesh Gish-gì(n)-mash goddess hair Hammurabi period Haupt's Hebrew hero Hobab Hu-wa-wa hunter Huwawa i-na Ishtar it-ti iz-za-kàr-am a-na Jastrow Jensen's ki-ma Langdon's note latter likewise lines missing lions meaning Meissner mother mouth and spoke Muss-Arnolt nature myth Ninsun Nippur obverse occurs old Babylonian version original parallel passage Pennsylvania tablet phrase pi-šú plazas Poebel Read restoration šá Sabitum Šamaš Seal Cylinders second tablet Semitic Shamash shepherds sion speech šú suggested Sumerian tale thee translation twelfth tablet Ungnad-Gressmann Uruk Utnapishtim variant verb weapon woman word writing Yale tablet