The Epic of Gilgamish
A Fragment of the Gilgamish Legend in Old-Babylonian Cuneiform
In 1914 the University Museum in Philadelphia acquired a six-column clay tablet carrying the second book of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the Old Babylonian version, written around the eighteenth century BC and so a thousand years older than the familiar Assyrian text from Nineveh. Stephen Langdon, professor of Assyriology at Oxford, published it in 1917 with a transliteration, a translation, and an introduction. The tablet tells of Gilgamesh's dreams foretelling the coming of Enkidu, Enkidu's seduction by the harlot and his introduction to bread, beer and city life in Erech, and the wrestling match that makes the two men friends. This is a short scholarly edition of a fragment, with the plates reproduced, rather than a complete epic. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first poems free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Epic of Gilgamish
The Epic of Gilgamish by Stephen Langdon can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Epic of Gilgamish online?
Yes. The Epic of Gilgamish opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Epic of Gilgamish free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Epic of Gilgamish is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Epic of Gilgamish in the public domain?
Yes. The Epic of Gilgamish by Stephen Langdon is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Epic of Gilgamish?
About 26 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Epic of Gilgamish?
The Epic of Gilgamish by Stephen Langdon is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
