audiobook

The Epic of Gilgamish

by Stephen Langdon

EN·~33 minutes

Chapters

Description

A recently uncovered six‑column tablet brings a fresh South‑Babylonian version of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh to life. The stone inscription, found near the ruins of Uruk, blends historical king lists with mythic storytelling, offering scholars a rare glimpse into how early Mesopotamians recorded the deeds of their legendary ruler. Listeners will hear the opening scene where Gilgamesh shares prophetic dreams with his mother, Ninsun, setting the tone for a tale that straddles the line between fact and fable.

The narrative then follows the wild man Enkidu, who is coaxed out of the wilderness by a wise harlot and taught the ways of civilization. As he learns to eat, drink, and adopt human customs, his newfound strength catches Gilgamesh’s eye, sparking a fierce yet respectful rivalry. Their early encounters explore themes of friendship, honor, and the pull between primal instinct and societal expectation, inviting listeners into the timeless adventure of two heroes on the cusp of destiny.

Details

Full title

The Epic of Gilgamish A Fragment of the Gilgamish Legend in Old-Babylonian Cuneiform

Language

en

Duration

~33 minutes (32K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/

Release date

2006-07-23

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Stephen Langdon

Stephen Langdon

1876–1937

An American Assyriologist and Oxford scholar, he helped bring the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia closer to modern readers through studies of Sumerian and Babylonian texts. His work ranged from cuneiform religion and mythology to editions and translations that opened difficult sources to a wider audience.

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