Gilgamesh: A New English Translation

The Epic of Gilgamesh — The oldest story in the world

• Author Unknown
• Epic Poem
• Written: 2100 – 1200 B.C.
• Adapted by: Stephen Mitchell
• My edition: Atria Books (eBook), 2004
• Setting: Ancient Mesopotamia and mythical locations

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem regarding King Gilgamesh of the Great Walled City, Uruk. He is the son of mortal King Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun, also known as Lady Wildcow (ya’d think a goddess wouldn’t stand for that) Gilgamesh is described as enormous and radiant, the text is never precise about his size, but he could travel three days and nights, without rest and cover the distance that ordinary men would travel in six weeks. He is arrogant and a ruthless ruler. The goddess Aruru creates Enkidu — as Gilgamesh’s mirror image and opposite, intending that wild and powerful Enkidu could challenge Gilgamesh and cause him to be a more gracious and beneficent ruler.

 

There are some preliminary events leading up to the challenge, rather mature content, though not graphic or explicit, but the two do indeed fight. I’ll spare the spoiler, but after their contest they become fast friends and set off on a dangerous mission to kill the dread monster Humbaba and other exploits. Eventually Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with finding the legendary man, Utnapishtim who survived the worldwide deluge, by building a large vessel, and taking earth’s creatures aboard to save them. Sound familiar? Gilgamesh believes Utnapishtim can give him the secret to eternal life, since the gods granted it to Utnapishtim after his heroics to save the creatures of Earth.

 

Technically, I didn’t read The Epic of Gilgamesh; I read Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation. I started with a literal interpretation, but it was very scholarly, with many notes, gaps, and repetitions due to slightly differing source tablets. It was very fragmentary and not very coherent. So, I switched to the adaptation, which eliminates the scholarly material and fills in the gaps. I recommend it, if you want a smooth narrative.

 

For me, the story was just ok, not The Odyssey. It’s pretty simple, pretty blunt, not a lot of drama. It does touch relatable themes of love, friendship, grief, and fear of death. It’s historically significant due to an early civilization that held a legend of a worldwide flood and a Noah character, written long before the Biblical account. That was fascinating. It’s also a pretty short read. You can easily read it in one setting.

 

Have your read this or other versions? What did you think.

 

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