The Epic of Gilgamesh

"Of the one who saw everything to the edge of the universe, who knew the hidden, who understood everything..." Thus begins "The Epic of Gilgamesh" — the oldest literary monument that has reached us from the depths of Sumerian and... Akkadian civilizations. It is a story about a king-demi-god who finds a friend — once a "wild man" Enkidu, and after his illness and death tries to retrieve him from the underworld. A story about strength and friendship, pride and humility, fear of death — and the thirst for immortality...

The poet Nikolai Gumilev, who was inspired in 1914 by the idea of translating "Gilgamesh," did so in a rather free manner. He translated the version of the poem known at that time, which constituted about one-third of what is known today, eliminating "unnecessary repetitions" and adding to some parts. And while the scientific value of his rendition is questionable, its artistic value is indisputable. The poet's voice brought the tragedy of the mythical king closer to the reader and allowed us to "speak" with antiquity. Or rather — for it to speak with us?

This edition is not only an introduction to a great work of the Ancient East but also a deep dive into the history of its translation and interpretation: Gumilev's translation is accompanied by a preface by his friend, Assyriologist Vladimir Shileiko, as well as an article by contemporary researcher Ekaterina Markova.