Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic

A poem for the ages, freshly and accessibly translated by an international rising star, bringing together scholarly precision and poetic grace  “Sophus Helle’s new translation . . . [is] a thrilling, enchanting, desperate thing to read.”—Nina MacLaughlin, Boston Globe  “Looks to be the last word on this Babylonian masterpiece.”—Michael Dirda, Washington Post  Gilgamesh is a Babylonian story about love between men, loss and grief, the confrontation with death; the destruction of nature; insomnia and restlessness, finding peace in one’s community, the voice of women, the folly of gods, heroes, and monsters—and more. Translating directly from the Akkadian, Sophus Helle offers a literary translation that reproduces the original epic’s poetic effects, including its succinct clarity and enchanting cadence. Millennia after its composition, Gilgamesh continues to speak to us in myriad ways. Read more