Tuesday, February 15, 2005

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The next book in our Ancient History rotation will be another epic poem entitled, The Epic of Gilgamesh (author unknown). There are several good translations available online, in libraries, and reprinted and distributed through popular booksellers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstar). The links below include online translations as well as suggested translators (most popular). Please feel free to use whatever source you may have on hand or locally available.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Popular Modern Versions - Reprints

In addition to these online e-texts, there are many good translations available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, many classics collections, as well as Dover and Signet Thrift collections. Listed below are a few of the more popular modern prose translations.

  • Paperback edition, verse translation by Danny P. Jackson, illustrated by Thom Kapheim (Bolchazy Carducci, 1997, 115 pg).
  • Paperback edition, verse translation by Maureen Gallery Kovacs (Stanford Univ Pr, 1989, 122 pg). Paperback edition, translated by Benjamin R. Foster (W.W. Norton & Co, 2001).
  • Paperback edition, prose translation by John Harris (Writers Club Press, 2001, 105 pg).
  • Paperback edition, verse translation by John Gardner and John Maier (Random House, 1985, 304 pg).

Other Good Links

Study Guides and Book Notes

Many people find study guides helpful when reading classical literature. The following links include study guides, notes, and discovery questions to help you in your reading assignment.

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