The Epic of Gilgamesh, a seminal work of ancient Mesopotamian literature, is a poetic narrative recounting the exploits of the legendary king Gilgamesh. Set in the city of Uruk, the tale unfolds as Gilgamesh, two-thirds god and one-third mortal, seeks to understand the nature of immortality and the meaning of human existence. This epic, composed in cuneiform on twelve clay tablets, is considered one of the earliest known works of great literature, predating Homer’s “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” by approximately a millennium. It presents themes of friendship, loss, and the pursuit of eternal life, which resonate with readers across cultures and epochs.
