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Gilgamesh

By Simon Armitage
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Brief Description
Gilgamesh originated in Ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4,000 years ago, yet its themes of power, loyalty, love and loss resound with contemporary relevance. The eponymous demigod tyrannically rules the kingdom of Uruk. To establish peace, the gods create his counterpart, the wild man Enkidu. The two rivals-turned-comrades... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3799
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Releases 12th January 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Gilgamesh" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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The Poet Laureate's exhilarating verse translation of the ancient epic poem captures its timeless and immersive power.

The Poet Laureate's exhilarating verse translation of the ancient epic poem captures its timeless and immersive power.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Gilgamesh originated in Ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4,000 years ago, yet its themes of power, loyalty, love and loss resound with contemporary relevance. The eponymous demigod tyrannically rules the kingdom of Uruk. To establish peace, the gods create his counterpart, the wild man Enkidu. The two rivals-turned-comrades embark on a series of extraordinary adventures, including battles with Humbaba, guardian of the Cedar Forest, and the Bull of Heaven. After tragedy strikes, Gilgamesh sets out alone on a desperate quest for immortality that leads him to the very edge of the world.

Simon Armitage's fresh and propulsive version brings Gilgamesh alive as poetry. He harnesses the rhythm of its orchestrated language and conjures a sense of poetic wholeness while honouring its inherent fragmentation. Enhanced by illuminating commentary, this accomplished translation transports us back to the very origins of civilisation and storytelling.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571357246

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 08 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 224

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Arts & Culture Education & Reference Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Poetry Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Simon Armitage

About the Author

Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. His acclaimed translations include the bestselling Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (2007); Pearl (2016), winner of the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation; and The Owl and the Nightingale (2021). From 2015 to 2019, he served as Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford, and, in 2018, he was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry. Simon Armitage is Poet Laureate.

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