The Epic of Gilgamesh

By N. K. Sandars (translator), Penguin Classics,

Book cover of The Epic of Gilgamesh

Book description

Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, and his companion Enkidu are the only heroes to have survived from the ancient literature of Babylon, immortalized in this epic poem that dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. Together they journey to the Spring of Youth, defeat the Bull of Heaven and slay the…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Epic of Gilgamesh as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book is simply the first written story ever found—and it’s about friendship! It was pressed into clay in the city of Nineveh around four thousand years ago and was re-found in the nineteenth century. It tells the story of a friendship between two men, Gilgamesh, the lord of his city, and Enkidu, ‘a wild man’ from the forests. The story recounts their adventures, then Enkidu’s death, and Gilgamesh’s grief at losing his friend. I find it extraordinary that so many thousands of years ago, human beings were concerned with the nature and power of friendship—it shows that the bonds…

Want books like The Epic of Gilgamesh?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Browse books like The Epic of Gilgamesh

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in African Americans, poets, and women?

African Americans 802 books
Poets 71 books
Women 645 books