I've always loved epic stories, and this - the epic of Gilgamesh, evoked wonderful memories of months spent during my university days poring over varied translations of Homer's two great epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. The story itself is an absorbing read, and rendered in verse by David Ferry, this particular text is smooth, almost lyrical, and impresses itself upon its reader. It does not seem to be the most accurate or detailed translation, however, and I found many fragments of verse on the Internet that was missing in this work. Some of these lines I've worked into a poem reflecting my personal feelings about Gilgamesh's story.What this work has done most for me is to stir interest in the history of the first known civilisation Sumer, and myths and folklore of Babylon and ancient Mesopotamia. I'm sure that anyone who picks up this book will be moved by Gilgamesh's passion and exploits, and probably do the same as I do.
Map of ancient Mesopotamia
Restored gate of Ishtar
Standard of Ur
The ancient Babylonian gods: Ishtar, Shamash and Ea.
The sun god Shamash and his worshippers
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