The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia, regarded as the earliest surviving great work of literature.

The story centers on Gilgamesh, a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, who was later deified.

It explores timeless themes of friendship, mortality, and the human search for meaning.

A central part of the epic is the deep friendship between Gilgamesh and the wild man, Enkidu.

After Enkidu's death, a grief-stricken Gilgamesh embarks on a quest for immortality.

The epic includes a detailed flood narrative that predates the biblical story of Noah's Ark.

The most complete version of the epic was preserved on twelve clay tablets in the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal.

It provides valuable insights into Mesopotamian religious beliefs, views on the afterlife, and societal values.

The story was compiled from earlier Sumerian poems and myths over a long period.

The Epic of Gilgamesh has influenced literature and storytelling for thousands of years.