Gilgamesh Poet

This book is a new translation and interpretation of the Epic of Gilgamesh by Andrew George. Other than the epic poem itself, it also contains many additional contents, such as a nice introduction of the history and origin of this epic, the story behind the translation, and list of deities' names.

The epic poem itself, though we may find it too simple, contains rich and deep philosophical thoughts of the people in ancient Mesopotamia at that time. We may be surprised at how the Epic of Gilgamesh, written in millennia BCE, influences many famous literature in the world, most notably the Old Testament and other books of the Abrahamaic religions. In each of the chapters, Andrew George provides us the summary and also elaborate analysis so the reader can compare their understanding with a scholar’s.

The most important message from Epic of Gilgamesh tells us about is the importance of the remembrance of death and how it is futile to seek immortality and accept life for what is, thus encouraging a person to live it to the fullest. Other than that, the epic also tells us about the dichotomy of free, pure and innocent life in the wild against the modern, urban city life of Uruk, which became quite popular tropes we can find in the other, much modern literature. It also tells us about the coming-of-age of the king Gilgamesh, from previously a tyrannical young monarch into becoming a mature man.

Not only is the epic poem itself amazing, but also the story behind the making of this book is astounding. Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient epic poem that was known in Mesopotamia for over 5000 years ago, preserved by a series of fragments of clay tablets scattered in many places in ancient near east, Levant, and Anatolia. The years of hard work of the many archaeologists, historians, and linguists to gather, decipher, and construct this epic poem and then make this book to be possible and available for many readers around the world is a great story by itself. This is told in one of the late chapters in the book.

Overall, this is a book of great value that I recommend everyone, especially those who have interests in ancient literature and ancient philosophies to read.… (more)

The original story of martial love between men. Yes, it's about dealing with death too and it's a fun story, but the Odyssey is much more varied and contains many tropes that are still used today. Nevertheless, because of it predates the Odyssey and it's short, reading Gilgamesh is a high value. In addition, this edition provides solid background material on the history of the development of the epic and like most ancient writings, different parts of it were written and different times and some parts lost--thus, the modern story is at-best a piecing together of these historical documents and making some educated guesses (not to mention the difficulties of translation) as well as couching them in our modern trappings.… (more)

This Penguin Classic, contains the Epic ( or as much as was known in 1999), and the expected explanatory notes and appendices, but also contains differing versions that have been discovered that come from the Sumerian, Babylonian and Akkadian eras.
While not a page turner as such, especially with many missing passages, it is impressive as the first known piece of literature and the depth of story covered. Gilgamesh not only performs heroic deeds, supporting his elevation to a minor deity on his death but also covers the requirements of a good ruler and the meaning to life and death.
Additionally, the pic gives some insight into these ancient civilisations which had such an influence on others, even leading to our own, and makes this a worthwhile read. It is even interesting to see echoes of this epic in Greek mythology as well as the Old Testament.
The Penguin classic with its explanatory notes is recommended, as a reader may overlook some important aspects without them, especially due to the fragmentary nature of the epic.… (more)