Have a listen this rendering of Gilgamesh, performed by a modern-day troubadour: Gilgamesh, by Baba Brinkmanīrinkman’s modern twist on this oldest of tales exemplifies the enduring power of story and storyteller to entertain, captivate, and resonate. A Wild Man, Tarzan of the HighlandsĪnderson begins by featuring a contemporary take on the ancient poem performed by Baba Brinkman, a Canadian rap artist and scholar who has built a career connecting hip-hop with literary poetry. Anderson explores modern re-imaginings of the tale of Gilgamesh in music, translations, and art while highlighting the connections between nature and culture that lies at the heart of this Mesopotamian epic. With this quote and the tale of Gilgamesh and Enkidu still fresh in my mind, I came across a piece titled A Wild Man, Tarzan of the Highlands over at The AnthropoEccentric. Highly recommended.“More familiarity with our own mythology might help us to relate to theirs.” – Jean-Luc Picard, from last week’s piece on Darmok Great historical value and a great story of friendship. It brings to life a whole time period most people/kids never learn about. These are some of my favorite books I have read numerous times out loud to my kids. London, Paris, and Philadelphia house remnants of this tale. The story was written on clay tablets that were pieced together when found. Many versions of this oldest written tale exist. A friendship forms and no longer lonely, Gilgamesh stops work on the wall and peace encompasses Uruk. An epic battle ensues, resulting in Enkidu pulling Gilgamesh up from a wall. Shamhat and Enkidu fall in love and return to Uruk to face Gilgamesh. Word spread of Enkidu and Gilgamesh sends Shamhat, a beautiful woman, to entice Enkidu to Uruk, the capital city of Mesopotamia. Raised in the forest with animals, he knew no humans and protected his animal friends with his life. The sun god made another man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. But as time drags on, they grumble and complain about loss of time with family, work in the fields, and food. He begins building a wall around the city and forces his people to work on it. We meet Gilgamesh, a young, bitter king of Mesopotamia, part god and part man, who is lonely with an extreme desire for wealth and power. Unlike Geraldine McCaughlean’s version, these are picture books with vivid pictures and easy text.

Gilgamesh the King retold by Ludmila Zeman is the first in a trilogy retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh the king zeman