Description

Book Synopsis

Since the discovery over one hundred years ago of a body of Mesopotamian poetry preserved on clay tablets, what has come to be known as the Epic of Gilgamesh has been considered a masterpiece of ancient literature. It recounts the deeds of a hero-king of ancient Mesopotamia, following him through adventures and encounters with men and gods alike. Yet the central concerns of the Epic lie deeper than the lively and exotic storyline: they revolve around a man''s eternal struggle with the limitations of human nature, and encompass the basic human feelings of loneliness, friendship, love, loss, revenge, and the fear of the oblivion of death. These themes are developed in a distinctly Mesopotamian idiom, to be sure, but with a sensitivity and intensity that touch the modern reader across the chasm of three thousand years. This translation presents the Epic to the general reader in a clear narrative.



Table of Contents
A note to the reader; A note on the translation; Introduction; The epic of Gilgamesh; Appendixes.

Epic of Gilgamesh

    Product form

    A Hardback by Maureen Gallery Kovacs

    £45.00

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £50.00 – you save £5.00 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 14 Oct 2026.

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Epic of Gilgamesh by Maureen Gallery Kovacs

      Book details

      Publisher Stanford University Press
      Published 1 September 1989
      ISBN-13 9780804715898
      978-0804715898
      ISBN-10 0804715890
      Also in:
      Classics

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Since the discovery over one hundred years ago of a body of Mesopotamian poetry preserved on clay tablets, what has come to be known as the Epic of Gilgamesh has been considered a masterpiece of ancient literature. It recounts the deeds of a hero-king of ancient Mesopotamia, following him through adventures and encounters with men and gods alike. Yet the central concerns of the Epic lie deeper than the lively and exotic storyline: they revolve around a man''s eternal struggle with the limitations of human nature, and encompass the basic human feelings of loneliness, friendship, love, loss, revenge, and the fear of the oblivion of death. These themes are developed in a distinctly Mesopotamian idiom, to be sure, but with a sensitivity and intensity that touch the modern reader across the chasm of three thousand years. This translation presents the Epic to the general reader in a clear narrative.



      Table of Contents
      A note to the reader; A note on the translation; Introduction; The epic of Gilgamesh; Appendixes.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account