The Epic of Gilgamesh

The longing stretch toward the infinite...the reluctant embrace of the temporal. This is the eternal lot of mankind. This is The Epic of Gilgamesh. Our revised 2nd edition of mankind's first epic features a lucid historical and cultural introduction by Dr. Biggs, a new interpretive essay on the themes of Gilgamesh by James G. Keenan and their echoes in other literature, and ancient world and original illustrations.

Though The Epic of Gilgamesh exists in several editions, this version has been undertaken with a very specific intent -- to remain faithful to the source material while attempting to convey the poetic scope of a work that is both lusty and tender and that retains the ability to arouse compassion and empathy in all who follow Gilgamesh on his journey. This edition aims to reanimate the story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu for modern readers, bringing it new life through indelible poetic images.

For centuries the beginnings of the literary history of the West were defined by the Hebrew Bible--what most people call the Old Testament--and Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and Odyssey. These texts were once naively imagined to have come about in splendid isolation either as a miracle of divine creation or the spontaneous combustion of the ?Greek genius.? The mighty stream of words down over the millennia to our own time are so many generations of offspring still somehow beholden to their initial begetters. Thus do we construe Western Literature.

- from Ancient Epic Poetry Chapter 8: Gilgamesh

Charles Rowan Beye

Special Features

* Story Commentary
* Historical Notes
* Illustrated Introduction
* 15 Original Woodcut Prints
* 18 Photos

Also available:

Ancient Epic Poetry: Homer, Apollonius, Virgil With A Chapter On The Gilgamesh Poems - ISBN 0865166072
The Evolution of the Gilgamesh Epic - ISBN 0865165467

For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Suess books in Latin to Plato's Apology, Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar. We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books.

Some of the areas we publish in include:

Selections From The Aeneid
Latin Grammar & Pronunciation
Greek Grammar & Pronunciation
Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin
Classical author workbooks: Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero
Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections: Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace
Greek Mythology
Greek Lexicon
Slovak Culture And History

Danny P. Jackson is a teacher of Greek and Latin with degrees in comparative literature and classical languages. Formerly a project editor for Prentice Hall, a freelance journalist, and a teacher of English and religion, he has done preliminary work on a poetic rendition of Enuma Elish, the world's first recorded creation story, also from the ancient Near Eastern milieu. Jackson's work has appeared in The New York Times, National Catholic Reporter, English Journal, Phi Delta Kappan, Commonwealth, New Jersey Educational Review, Media & Methods and Ocean County Times Observer.

Robert D. Biggs is a professor of Assyriology with The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, editor of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies since 1971 and associate editor of The Assyrian Dictionary since 1964. He is widely published in the area of ancient Near Eastern studies; has translated cuneiform texts and inscriptions; and has participated in excavations of Near Eastern sites for The Oriental Institute, the Institute of Fine Arts of the Metropolitan Museum and the British Archaeological Expedition.

Thom Kapheim's creations can be found in art galleries and collections throughout the United States and in a traveling show of his paintings inspired by tales of mythology. His art also enhances editions of Prometheus Bound, Lucian: A True History and Carmina Burana.