Ancient World discussion

This is a discussion thread about Ancient Sumeria, its culture, literature and influence in the ancient world.

Has anyone read Gilgamesh: A New English Version (trans. Stephen Mitchell 2006) The Epic of Gilgamesh (trans. Andrew George 2003) or The Epic of Gilgamesh (N.K. Sanders, 1972)? What are your impressions?

Do you think these ancient Sumerian stories might have influenced later stories and legends that showed up in other cultures?

Hmm. I have the Penguin, translator Andrew George. Like to hear opinion on Stephen Mitchell's 'A New English Version'. A quick trawl through Amazon reviews suggests it's a free version or adaptation even. Not that I mind that if it's understood that's what you're getting, and what you're after.

I read one ages ago, and - against a memory of that - I was happy with the Andrew George.

Hi Bryn. I wasn't really looking for a comparative between the translations but that would be an interesting discussion...and I'd like to learn more about Mitchell's version as well. The reason I included different versions was more to draw attention to the fact that Gilgamesh is not an esoteric story, though it is much neglected outside of academic circles.

I wonder how many people know of the theory that the great flood story from the Old Testament may have been a retelling of a story from Ancient Sumeria.

David wrote: "This is a discussion thread about Ancient Sumeria, its culture, literature and influence in the ancient world.

Has anyone read Gilgamesh: A New English Version (trans. Stephen Mitchell 2006) The E..."

Read the Sanders translation back in the 1980s. Gilgamesh was a very interesting character.

David wrote: "This is a discussion thread about Ancient Sumeria, its culture, literature and influence in the ancient world.

Has anyone read Gilgamesh: A New English Version (trans. Stephen Mitchell 2006) The E..."

I haven't read these versions, but I have read a generic translated version and also a children's book based on the story. There is no doubt in my mind that it was written way before the account that Moses wrote in Genesis but I don't think it influenced him.

MpaulM wrote: "David wrote: "This is a discussion thread about Ancient Sumeria, its culture, literature and influence in the ancient world.

Has anyone read Gilgamesh: A New English Version (trans. Stephen Mitche..."

Moses did not write anything; his was a nomadic/oral literature culture. The Israelites would not have been exposed to the Gilgamesh story until their Babylonian captivity, when they came across all manner of Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and other Mesopotamian stories that had been preserved.

Hello everybody, this is my first post in Goodreads. You may be interested to know that I'm preparing to publish a book which deals with the Epic of Gilgamesh and its relationship with the later biblical stories. According to the archaeology, the origins of the Gilgamesh epic can be traced further back to the first stories ever written around 2500 BC.

Laura wrote: "MpaulM wrote: "David wrote: "This is a discussion thread about Ancient Sumeria, its culture, literature and influence in the ancient world.

Has anyone read Gilgamesh: A New English Version (trans...."

I find it hard to believe that the Israelites wouldn't of been exposed to the stories until their Babylonian Captivity. There was plenty of trade and cultural influences going on between the cultures well before that event. Further more Abraham himself was from Ur so for him not to have known the stories and not have handed them down in some form or another seems pretty far fetched.

Currently reading a two volume set from the 1800s called Ancient History by Rollins. It's a fun read and he is covering everyone from the Egyptians in the ancient Near East to everyone else. Has anyone read his works?

Where on earth did you find that, Nick?

There is, literally, zero chance the Israelites had no exposure to these stories before the Babylonian captivity. All Semitic cultures, including the Assyrians who had conquered them long before the Babylonians, had roots back to Mesopotamia. Semitic words even show up in Sumerian texts.

The gilgamesh stories were written down after being of oral tradition passed. Though a sumerian story the story became widely popular in and out the region. Before the Shemites amalgamated with the sumerian and akkadian people elements of trading between the two cultures existed. The first recorded glyphs,language,religious structure,judicial laws,postman/post woman, female leadership,agriculture,temples,palaces,and so much more. Elements of sumerian influence can still be seen today. Though one can debate there origins one can not deny there legacy.

This article talks about reviewing much of what has been written about the Sumerians as a "race"/ethnic unity, the information gathered about them, the interpretations of that information, possible misplaced assumptions or simply erroneous conclusions.

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2022/02...

I just joined this group. I'm very interested in the history, culture, and literature of Sumer and Akkad.

I've read several translations of Gilgamesh, including the Stephen Mitchell mentioned above. The one I recommend, which is light years ahead of anything else I've read, is Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic by Sophus Helle. His translation, commentary, and insights are inspiring.

I just finished reading Helle's Enheduana: The Complete Poems of the World's First Author, which is also amazing. Enheduana was a Sumerian princess and the daughter of Sargon.

I have posted reviews of both books on Goodreads and on my website at www.tamaraaghajaffar.com in case any of you are interested to know more.

I'm excited to be here and to devour books on the ancient world with this group.

Interesting share, Tamara. Welcome to the group!

Thanks, Chris.

I read Weavers, Scribes, and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Near East by Amanda H. Podany. A fascinating exploration of 3,000 years of history of the ancient Near East. In this 600+ page behemoth, Professor Podany analyzes cuneiform tablets and cylinder seals to unearth what they reveal about the lives of ordinary people as well as kings and queens, priests and priestesses. Her tone is engaging and accessible. She breathes life into people who lived 5,000 years ago.
I thought it was a fascinating, well-researched exploration.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...