The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Prompted by this post https://johnknifton.com/2019/02/02/the-world-of-the-mysterious-2/ from John Knifton I decided that I must read my own copy of

It has waited for 45 years after all. I finished it last week.

John’s excellent research tells the story. I concentrated on the coloured illustrations. The are also smaller black and white woodcuts.

The very large 8vo format makes scanning the double spread of the flood impossible.

As the evening descended, I gradually fell to collapsing myself. I didn’t eat anything, and went up to bed soon after Elizabeth paid a visit.

59 comments

  1. Hope you feel better, Derrick.
    I’ve never read Gilgamesh, though I know of it, and perhaps have read portions. There’s a Star Trek: Next Generation episode where Capt. Picard is on a planet with an alien man whose language is in metaphors. Picard tells him about Gilgamesh. πŸ™‚ Beautiful illustrations in your copy!

  2. I am very familiar with the epic – and am a firm believer that myths tell of events from prehistory – it’s just that the language, interpretations and images are not fully understood by us modern folks these days. Sending you love xo

  3. To think that it took you forty five years to read that is awe-inspiring! I too am waiting to finish War and Peace someday and am quite inspired by your procrastination.

  4. Good morning Derrick!! A more perfect friendship could not be found than that between Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

    I wish you feel better soon!!!

      1. Chances are, your enemy-turned-friend is one of your favorite people on Earth now. It’s probably because of how genuine and authentic your friendship is.

  5. Hope you feel better soon, Derrick. Those are wonderful illustrations and I’m glad that after 45 years, this literary fortress has finally fallen.

  6. I love when you share books and their illustrations with us! These illustrations are beautiful and detailed! I shall click on the link to learn more.

    After 45 years, I’m so glad you got this book read. πŸ™‚

    Sorry to hear you felt so ill. πŸ™ I hope with a good sleep you will feel much better.
    Prayers. And (((HUGS)))

  7. Have never read The Epic but i find it interesting that it’s first editions would seem to both pre-date the earliest versions of our Bible and contain many closely related recountings of the first parts of the Old Testament, including the tale of Adam and Eve, the snake, the Garden of Eden, the Flood and Man’s loss of Eternal Life.

    I like the quote: “Life, which you look for, you will never find. For when the gods created man, they let death be his share, and life withheld in their own hands” told to Gilgamesh.
    Compare that with Genesis 3: 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever”
    24 “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the East of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

    Rest up a while and take things easy.. know of any good books you could catch up on?? πŸ˜‰

  8. The woodcuts are gorgeous! What rich colour. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so poorly, but I am writing from the future, so I’ll let you know that youre starting to feel better by Sunday. πŸ˜‰

  9. I see your book was printed in a town right next to one we used to live in when we were first married. As a matter of fact we were looking at real estate online in Avon, CT today (small world). Beautiful illustrations throughout your book. Hope you are feeling better ~

    1. Thanks very much, Pat. I was amused to see that I had a similar bout five years ago πŸ™‚

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