Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and OthersThe ancient civilization of Mesopotamia thrived between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates over 4,000 years ago. The myths collected here, originally written in cuneiform on clay tablets, include parallels with the biblical stories of the Creation and the Flood, and the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, the tale of a man of great strength, whose heroic quest for immortality is dashed through one moment of weakness. Recent developments in Akkadian grammar and lexicography mean that this new translation--complete with notes, a glossary of deities, place-names, and key terms, and illustrations of the mythical monsters featured in the text--will replace all other versions. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - keyboardcouch - LibraryThingI just picked this up to get unembelished accounts of Gilgamesh and Inanan's decent. Had a flip through the other myths, but ultimately I don't have a high enough interest to persevere with them. This ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - keylawk - LibraryThingAtrahasis, the wise man who built an ark and saved mankind from destruction by a Flood, becoming a quasi-immortal progenitor. His story is delicately (speaking of cannibalism [27a] and slavery [26b ... Read full review
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Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, The Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others Stephanie Dalley Limited preview - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
addressed Akkadian ancient Anunnaki Anzu Apsu assembly Assyria Atrahasis Babylon battle bring bull called carry cattle created Creation cult death Destinies door dream dwelling eagle early earth Ellil Enkidu enter epic Ereshkigal Erra face father Flood forest gate gave Gilgamesh give given goddess gods hand head heard and spoke heart heaven Igigi Ishtar Ishum king known land lapis lazuli lines listened living looked Lord Marduk means Mesopotamia missing mother mountain myth Namtar Nergal never night Ninhursag Ninurta open country Pine powerful present probably refers rites seized seven Shamash sleep speech story Sumerian Tablet Tell temple third Tiamat took tradition translation turned Underworld Uruk voice heard warrior weapons wild winds written young