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Gilgamesh the King by Ludmila Zeman

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Gilgamesh the King

Ludmila Zeman

Tundra · Paperback · April 25, 1998

Reading lane: Ancient Civilizations

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk.

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Power and Kindness

An ancient myth sets a lonely king’s power against the humanizing force of friendship.

Come here for

  • A meeting of myth, tyranny, and a forest-raised outsider
  • Questions about what makes someone human

Expect

  • A clear contrast between cruelty and kindness
  • Friendship at the heart of a tale of change

Book Details

Authors
Ludmila Zeman
Publisher
Tundra
Published
April 25, 1998
Format
Paperback
Theme
Ancient Civilizations · Greek & Roman Myths
Reading lane
Ancient Civilizations

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • Historical / General

  • Ancient Civilizations

  • Legends, Myths, Fables / General

About This Book

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them. He falls in love with Shamhat, a singer from the temple, and he follows her back to Uruk. There, Enkidu...

Read full description

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them. He falls in love with Shamhat, a singer from the temple, and he follows her back to Uruk. There, Enkidu, the “uncivilized” beast from the forest, shows the evil Gilgamesh through friendship what it means to be human.

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