Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Biography

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. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Cover 1 Preface 8 Preface to Revised Edition 10 Contents 12 List of Figures 13 Sigla and Abbreviations 14 Introduction 16 Chronological Chart 22 Fig 1. Map of the Near East 23 Atrahasis 24 Atrahasis in History 24 The Names of Atrahasis 25 The Text 26 The Author, Ipiq-aya 26 Creation of Man 27 The Flood 27 Overpopulation and Mortality 31 ATRAHASIS 32 TABLET I 32 TABLET II 43 TABLET III 52 Notes to Atrahasis 59 The Epic of Gilgamesh 62 Gilgamesh in History 63 Early Sumerian Stories from Uruk 64 Different Versions of the Epic 68 Authorship and Composition 70 Gilgamesh and Kingship 72 GILGAMESH 73 TABLET I 73 TABLET II 82 TABLET III 86 TABLET IV 90 TABLET V 94 TABLET VI 100 TABLET VII 106 TABLET VIII 114 TABLET IX 118 TABLET X 122 TABLET XI 132 TABLET XII 143 Notes to Gilgamesh 148 Gilgamesh (Old Babylonian Version) 159 TABLET I (not extant) 159 TABLET II 159 TABLET III 165 TABLET IV 170 TABLETS V to IX (not extant) 171 TABLET X 172 TABLETS XI and XII (not extant) 174 Notes to Gilgamesh (Old Babylonian Version) 174 The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld 177 Notes to the Descent of Ishtar 183 Nergal and Ereshkigal 186 Notes to Nergal and Ereshkigal 199 Nergal and Ereshkigal (Amarna Version) 201 Notes to Nergal and Ereshkigal (Amarna Version) 204 Adapa 205 Notes to Adapa 211 Etana 212 TABLET I 213 TABLET II 214 TABLET III 219 Notes to Etana 223 Anzu 226 TABLET I 228 TABLET II 235 TABLET III 240 Anzu (Old Babylonian Version) 245 TABLET I (not extant) 245 TABLET II 245 TABLET III 248 Notes to Anzu 249 The Epic of Creation 251 Date of Composition 251 Related Themes in Anzu 253 The Ritual Connection 254 THE EPIC OF CREATION 256 TABLET I 256 TABLET II 262 TABLET III 267 TABLET IV 272 TABLET V 278 TABLET VI 283 TABLET VII 290 Notes to Epic of Creation 297 Theogony of Dunnu 301 Notes to Theogony of Dunnu 303 Erra and Ishum 305 TABLET I 308 TABLET II 316 TABLET III 321 TABLET IV 325 TABLET V 332 Notes to Erra and Ishum 336 Fig. 2 Mythical monsters referred to in the translations 339 Glossary of Deities, Places, and Key Terms 340 Select Bibliography 355 Supplement 1 (see p.22) 361 Supplement 2 (see p.65) 363 Supplement 3 (see p.66) 364 Supplement 4 (see p.242) 365 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.--book Jacket. Atrahasis -- The Epic Of Gilgamesh, Standard Version -- [the Epic Of Gilgamesh], Old Babylonian Version -- The Descent Of Ishtar To The Underworld -- Nergal And Ereshkigal, Standard Version -- [nergal And Ereshkigal], Amarna Version -- Adapa -- Etana -- Anzu, Standard Version -- [anzu], Old Babylonian Version -- The Epic Of Creation -- Theogony Of Dunnu -- Erra And Ishum. Edited And Translated With An Introduction And Notes By Stephanie Dalley. Originally Published: 1989. Translated From Akkadian Texts. Bibliography: P. [332]-337. Atrahasis the wise man, who built an ark and saved mankind from destruction, is a figure of immense prestige and antiquity to whom various literary and religious traditions were attached.