Gilgamesh

Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World

by Louise M. Pryke

Gilgamesh focuses on the eponymous hero of the world's oldest epic and his legendary adventures. However, it also goes further and examines the significance of the story's Ancient Near Eastern context, and what it tells us about notions of kingship, animality, and the natures of mortality and immortality.



In this volume, Louise M. Pryke provides a unique perspective to consider many foundational aspects of Mesopotamian life, such as the significance of love and family, the conceptualisation of life and death, and the role of religious observance. The final chapter assesses the powerful influence of Gilgamesh on later works of ancient literature, from the Hebrew Bible, to the Odyssey, to The Tales of the Arabian Nights, and his reception through to the modern era.



Gilgamesh is an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to understand this fascinating figure, and more broadly, the relevance of Near Eastern myth in the classical world and beyond.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History

254 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2021

Reviews

[Jay Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to not how many times the author used the phrase “it is interesting to note.” It also worthy of note how many times the author used the phrase “it is worthy of note.” Who was the copy editor? Why did the self quote In block quotes more than once? Extremely simplistic idea of “translation” and left me unsure if the author could read Akkadian well. That said a lot of interesting ideas and insights on Gilgamesh.

[Liam Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best book out there in English on Gilgamesh.