The Epic of Gilgamesh

“You Will Never Find that Life for Which You are Looking.”

~The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Earliest Known Writing

QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.

 Originated from Ancient Sumerian society (modern day Iraq)  Written in cuneiform (wedge shaped writing)  The most complete version existing today is preserved on 12 clay tablets in the library collection of 7th century BCE Syrian King, Ashurbanipal.

A King Named Gilgamesh

   The epic was based on a real ruler in the late Early Dynastic period (27th Century BCE) Originally titled

He Who Saw the Deep

, or

Surpassing All Other Kings.

The essential story revolves around the relationship between Gilgamesh, who has become distracted and disheartened by his rule, and a friend, Enkidu, who is half-wild and who undertakes dangerous quests with Gilgamesh. Much of the epic focuses on Gilgamesh's thoughts of loss following Enkidu's death. It is about their becoming human together, and has a high emphasis on immortality. A large portion of the poem illustrates Gilgamesh's search for and failure to gain immortality after Enkidu's death.

Gilgamesh’s Influence on other Epic Literature

  Some aspects of the Noah’s Ark story in the Bible seem to be based on the flood in the Gilgamesh epic.

 Many Greek scholars say that there are a large number of parallel verses and themes, which indicate an influence of the Gilgamesh epic on Homer’s Odyssey.

The Alexander the Great myth in Islamic and Syrian cultures is thought to be influenced by Gilgamesh. Alexander wanders through a region of darkness and terror in search of the water of life. He faces strange encounters, reaches the water but, like Gilgamesh, fails to become immortal

Influences on Pop Culture

QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.



The Great American Novel

, by Philip Roth.

 The Gilgamesh myth is reworked into the tale of a fictional baseball player, Gil Gamesh, whose immortal aspirations are achieved by disappearing after his final game

Pop Culture Influences

QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.



Gilgamesh

was made into an opera three times!!!

  Italian, Franco Battiato Serbian, Rudolph Brucci  Danish, Per Nogard  Gilgamesh: Voyage into the Golden Screen

Pop Culture Influences

 “The Mesopotamians”, a song by the band, They Might be Giants, features Gilgamesh (among others).

QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.