Gilgamesh:

Gilgamesh , the best known of all ancient Mesopotamian heroes. Numerous tales in the Akkadian language have been told about Gilgamesh , and the whole collection has been described as an odyssey—the odyssey of a king who did not want to die. Read the oldest written story on Earth, about the adventures of the historical King of Uruk. The web page provides a translation of the first 11 tablets, with some excerpts from the Old Babylonian edition. Gilgamesh is widely accepted as the historical 5th king of Uruk who reigned in the 26th century BCE. His influence is thought to have been so profound that myths of his divine status grew up around his deeds and finally culminated in the tales that inform The Epic of Gilgamesh . Learn about the ancient Mesopotamian epic that chronicles the adventures of Gilgamesh , a semi-legendary king who seeks immortality. Discover its historical background, themes, philosophical insights, and cultural significance.