Myths from Mesopotamia

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.

Readership: Students and scholars in Assyriology, ancient near-eastern history, comparative literature (ancient), Old Testament studies, anthropology, classics; the general reader.

Translated with an introduction and notes by Stephanie Dalley, Shillito Fellow in Assyriology at the Oriental Institute, Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow, Somerville College, Oxford

"`has the great merit of including not only the obvious Gilgamesh and Creation texts but also the Atrahasis, Adapa, Etana, Anzu, and Erra stories and even the slight but highly suggestive "Theogony of Dunnu"' Greece & Rome"

"'handsomely produced book' A.R. George, SOAS BUlletin"

"'her enterprise is to be warmly welcomed' John Dillon, Trinity College, Dublin, Hermathera"