Synopses & Reviews
This pathbreaking work uncovers new translations of the main myths and epics written in Akkadian, including the Creation myths and the epic of Gilgamesh. The deities and heroes which figure in these stories are all of ancient Mesopotamia, and many of the original clay tablets, on which the stories were first inscribed, were discovered there. A striking collection of accurate and up-to-date renderings of the best-preserved cuneiform texts in current, readable English and discoveries of both new tablets and points of grammar and lexicography during the last twenty-five years, these translations will inevitably replace all previous versions. The book provides introductions to each item--giving insight into the sources and datings of the texts; notes to guide the reader through difficulties; an up-to-date glossary of deities, place-names and key terms; a chronological chart and map; and illustrations of some of the mythical monsters that are mentioned in the stories.
Review
"Fresh, authoritative English translations from the sources."--Classical World
"A careful, scholarly edition of a variety of important texts from ancient mesopotamia. Dalley's scrupulous care in showing lacunae makes this a harder narrative for classroom use but her annotations are thorough and her insights illuminating."--Nick Humez, Montclair State
University
"[Dalley] obviously controls the material as a scholar."--Comparative Civilizations Review
Synopsis
Between the great rivers Tigris and Euphrates lies the rich alluvial land of Mesopotamia (now in modern Iraq), which supported a complex and prosperous society over 4,000 years ago.
The stories translated here are all of ancient Mesopotamia, and include not only myths about the Creation and stories of the Flood, but also the longest and greatest literary composition, the Epic of Gilgamesh. This is the story of a heroic quest for fame and immortality, pursued by a man of great strength who loses a unique opportunity through a moment's weakness.
So much has been discovered in recent years both by way of new tablets and points of grammar and lexicography that these new translations by Stephanie Dalley supersede all previous versions.
Synopsis
The 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.