The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is among the oldest written stories that we have in our history (and some consider it to be the oldest story). It originated in the ancient land of Sumer.

In Sumeria there once was a king — who we believe to be an historical king who ruled perhaps during the Early Dynastic Period of Sumer during the first centuries of the Historical Period of our species — who was so great that a legendary account of his deeds exists to this day.

King Gilgamesh is the central character. The narrative revolves around the adventures of an ancient King of Uruk, the first true city of the world where civilization, and writing, developed. He reigned between 2750 – 2500 BCE .

Background

The epic was originally inscribed on 12 clay tablets using cuneiform script .

The translation is primarily based on the “standard” Akkadian edition, supplemented with excerpts from the Old Babylonian version when necessary.

Contents

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh Summary
2. Tablet I
3. Tablet II
4. Tablet III
5. Tablet IV
6. Tablet V
7. Tablet VI
8. Tablet VII
9. Tablet VIII
10. Tablet IX
11. Tablet X
12. Tablet XI
13. Tablet XII