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Cover of The Epic of Gilgamesh by UnknownThe Epic of Gilgamesh
Classic · Fiction, Classics, Poetry

The Epic of Gilgamesh

by Unknown
1801 · 72 pages · Fiction
59.8Must-Read
Score Classic
Critics' pick
≈ 2 hours to read · about 4 days at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Gilgamesh, the arrogant king of the ancient city of Uruk, meets his match in Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods, and they become inseparable friends. Together they kill the monster of the Cedar Forest and the Bull of Heaven. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh, terrified of death, sets out across the world to find the secret of eternal life.

Why it's worth reading

It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books and is the oldest great story in the world, written down in Mesopotamia about four thousand years ago.

You'll love it if you liked

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Good to know

It survives on broken clay tablets, so there are gaps. Translations differ a lot. It includes a flood story much like Noah's.

By the numbers

59.8Must-Read Score
  • Readers6 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics55 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Bestseller25 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

On the lists
Bokklubben World Library (100 greatest books)

Reads as

Epic, Moving, Adventurous

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is The Epic of Gilgamesh worth reading?

Yes. It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books and is the oldest great story in the world, written down in Mesopotamia about four thousand years ago. It ranks #2,389 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 59.8 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Epic of Gilgamesh about?

Gilgamesh, the arrogant king of the ancient city of Uruk, meets his match in Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods, and they become inseparable friends. Together they kill the monster of the Cedar Forest and the Bull of Heaven. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh, terrified of death, sets out across the world to find the secret of eternal life.

How long does it take to read The Epic of Gilgamesh?

About 2 hours (72 pages), or about 4 days at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Epic of Gilgamesh?

If you liked it, try The Iliad by Homer, The Odyssey by Homer or The Metamorphoses by Ovid.