Gilgamesh, << GIHL guh mehsh, >> Epic of, a Middle Eastern poem, is one of the oldest epics in world literature. The earliest verses were composed in southern Mesopotamia before 2000 B.C. The most complete text comes from the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (668-627 B.C.). Fragments of copies were found in Syria and Turkey, showing it was popular throughout the ancient Middle East.
The epic centers around Gilgamesh, a powerful king in ancient Sumeria who oppresses his people. When the people pray for help, the gods create a champion, Enkidu, to meet Gilgamesh in battle. But Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends and share many adventures until Enkidu dies. Gilgamesh then becomes afraid of death and searches for the secret of immortality. The epic includes an account of a great flood, which has parallels to the Biblical story of Noah.
See also Uruk.
