The Buried Book

The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh by David Damrosch Summary: Adventurers, explorers, kings, gods, and goddesses come to life in this "useful, entertaining and informative" story of the first great epic (The Washington Post) Composed in Middle Babylonia around 1200 BCE, The Epic of Gilgamesh foreshadowed later stories that would become as fundamental as any in human history: The Odyssey and the Bible. But in 600 BCE, the clay tablets that bore the story were lost to the world, buried beneath ashes and ruins. David Damrosch begins with the rediscovery of the epic in 1872 and from there goes backward in time, all the way to Gilgamesh himself. The Buried Book is an illuminating tale of history as it was written, stolen, lost, and--after 2,000 years and countless battles, conspiracies, and revelations--finally found. Angie's Comments: Another look into ancient civilizations and lives. I had heard of the Epic of Gilgamesh in sixth grade social studies, but I hadn’t heard of it since. The Epic itself is interesting, but the issues around its decipherment, its discovery, and its beginnings is fascinating. It is the story of different cultures, different values, and the uncertainties of life and death. If you read this book, it is best to read the Introduction first to understand the rest of the book. Recommended for readers interested in archaeology, ancient history, and/or literature.  Request this item