The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Classics)

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Sumerian poem preserved on clay tablets dating back approximately four thousand years. It is the world's oldest epic, predating Homer by many centuries. This translation by Andrew George is part of the Penguin Classics series. The poem tells of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, and his adventures with the wild man Enkidu. It follows his difficult journey to the ends of the earth in search of the Babylonian Noah and the secret of immortality. The narrative explores themes of family, friendship, and the duties of kings, while centering on humanity's eternal struggle with the fear of death. The Babylonian version has been known for over a century, though linguists continue to decipher new fragments in Akkadian and Sumerian. Andrew George's translation combines these fragments into a unified narrative.