You are here
Back to topThe Epic of Gilgamesh: An Old Babylonian Version (Paperback)
Not Available
Description
Illustrated Version
The Epic of Gilgamesh
An Old Babylonian Version
By Morris Jastrow and Albert T. Clay
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia. Dating from the Third Dynasty of Ur (circa 2100 BC), it is often regarded as the first great work of literature. The literary history of Gilgamesh begins with five Sumerian poems about 'Bilgamesh' (Sumerian for 'Gilgamesh'), king of Uruk. These independent stories were later used as source material for a combined epic. The first surviving version of this combined epic, known as the "Old Babylonian" version, dates to the 18th century BC and is titled after its incipit, Shutur eli sharr.