Click here to view an exclusive comparison chart comparing 4 translations of Gilgamesh!. I will bring it to Uruk-Haven, and have an old man eat the plant to test it. “You understand the rules of my forest, the rules…, further, you are aware of all the things so ordered (by Enlil).” I should have carried you up, and killed you at the very entrance to the branches of my forest. Six leagues he traveled …, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see. Like all translators, I consulted other translations by people who understand the original language to see how they treated the text I was working on. In your opinion, what are some other masterful translations in English or in other languages? We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying: “My friend, we have cut down the towering Cedar whose top scrapes the sky. Six days and seven nights I mourned over him and would not allow him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway. 2007b. They washed their hands in the Euphrates, and proceeded hand in hand, striding through the streets of Uruk. Utanapishtim said to Gilgamesh: “Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate! May the holy River Ulaja, along whose banks we grandly used to stroll, mourn you. in our anger mourn you. – Dust Off The Bible, عشتار و امرأة العزيز | زرقاء اليمامة, Canonical List of Pastors & Teachers With …, Do Leviticus 11:6 & Deuteronomy 14:7 Contain …, Pastors Refusing To Isolate Are Getting Sick …, First Baptist Church of Naples Florida Openly …. Your she-goats will bear triplets, your ewes twins, your donkey under burden will overtake the mule, your steed at the chariot will be bristling to gallop, your ax at the yoke will have no match.” Gilgamesh addressed Princess Ishtar saying: “What would I have to give you if I married you! Iclal Vanwesenbeeck discusses that and the most recent new discoveries with Gilgamesh translator and Assyriologist Benjamin Foster. Enlil is in Nippur, Shamash is in Sippar. What can you give him so that he can return to his land (with honor) !” Then Gilgamesh raised a punting pole and drew the boat to shore. As for other languages, there are several very fine German translations, a superb French one, and well-respected renderings in Dutch, Italian, Arabic, and Russian. $12.50. I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea, and at twelve leagues there emerged a region (of land). She lifted up the large flies (beads) which Anu had made for his enjoyment(! I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh ( / ˈ É¡ ɪ l. É¡ ə. My friend whom I love has turned to clay; Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay! You loved Ishullanu, your father’s date gardener, who continually brought you baskets of dates, and brightened your table daily. …” They tied together a raft… Enkidu steered it… while Gilgamesh held the head of Humbaba. Until he goes off to his city, until he sets off on his way, let his royal robe not become spotted, let it be perfectly new!” Urshanabi took him away and brought him to the washing place. Shamash raised up against Humbaba mighty tempests’– Southwind, Northwind, Eastwind, Westwind, Whistling Wind, Piercing Wind, Blizzard, Bad Wind, Wind of Simurru, Demon Wind, Ice Wind, Storm, Sandstorm– thirteen winds rose up against him and covered Humbaba’s face. Another surprise has been a description of the marvelous Cedar Forest in Tablet V, part of a tablet containing nearly 140 lines of Tablet V in the Sulaymaniyah Museum and published by al-Rawi and George (2014). When it reached Uruk It climbed down to the Euphrates… At the snort of the Bull of Heaven a huge pit opened up, and 100 Young Men of Uruk fell in. I bought History Begins at Sumer by Samuel Noah Kramer for an Anthropology class in 1969, but it’s copyrighted 1959. ), man’s delight, not be cast into your house, may a gateway be where you rake your pleasure,’ may a crossroad be your home may a wasteland be your sleeping place, may the shadow of the city wall be your place to stand, may the thorns and briars skin your feet, may both the drunk and the dry slap you on the cheek, … in your city’s streets (? ), their lips burning, parched with thirst. Mankind, whose offshoot is snapped off like a reed in a canebreak, the fine youth and lovely girl … death. Therefore, I would use parentheses only for explanatory additions, such as whom I think an ambiguous pronoun might refer to. The gate of the mountain …” As soon as Gilgamesh heard this he heeded the utterances of the scorpion-being. Translate Epic of Gilgamesh in English online and download now our free translator to use any time at no charge. If possible, cross with him; If not, you should turn back.” When Gilgamesh heard this he raised the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt, and slipped stealthily away after them. Translation of Gilgamesh in English. ), and bring them to the boat!” When Gilgamesh heard this he took up the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt, and went down into the woods, and cut 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length. . He washed his matted hair with water like ellu. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. … Gilgamesh… Gilgamesh, let me go (? Seizing me, he led me down to the House of Darkness, the dwelling of Irkalla, to the house where those who enter do not come out, along the road of no return, to the house where those who dwell, do without light, where dirt is their drink, their food is of clay, where, like a bird, they wear garments of feathers, and light cannot be seen, they dwell in the dark, and upon the door and bolt, there lies dust. m ɛ ʃ /; Akkadian cuneiform: 𒄑𒂆𒈦 [], GilgameÅ¡, often given the epithet of the King, also known as Bilgames in the earliest Sumerian texts) was the fifth king of Uruk, modern day Iraq (Early Dynastic II, first dynasty of Uruk), placing his reign ca. Utanapishtim was gazing off into the distance, puzzling to himself he said, wondering to himself: “Why are ‘the stone things’ of the boat smashed to pieces! The dove went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. And even if, Gilgamesh, you should cross the sea, when you reach the Waters of Death what would you do! He made certain decisions about translating it that he carried through consistently. Known as the "Flood Tablet.". Gilgamesh addressed Enkidu, raying: ‘Friend, the gods have given you a mind broad and … Though it behooves you to be sensible, you keep uttering improper things! I must go on, to see Utanapishtim whom they call ‘The Faraway.’” I went circling through all the mountains, I traversed treacherous mountains, and crossed all the seas– that is why (!) We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! ), and destroy him! Before the Preeminent God Enlil hears… and the …gods be filled with rage against us. And so forth. Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard? Like most books published this year, dozens of new translations were published... Theodore Ziolkowski in 1992 / Photo by Robert Matthews, Princeton University. You loved the colorful ‘Little Shepherd’ bird and then hit him, breaking his wing, so now he stands in the forest crying ‘My Wing’! Best translation of "The Epic of Gilgamesh"? If you have struggled in the past reading old English, then BookCaps can help you out. The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance, puzzling to herself, she said, wondering to herself: “That fellow is surely a murderer(!)! . We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! All the living beings that I had I loaded on it, I had all my kith and kin go up into the boat, all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen I had go up. Humbaba begged for his life, saying to Gilgamesh: “You are young yet, Gilgamesh, your mother gave birth to you, and you are the offspring of Rimnt-Nlnsun (?) Norton is a wonderful publisher to work with, and I enjoyed the support of the best professional text editor ever to polish and probe my writing. Seven leagues he traveled .. dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see. Now! He had my wife go up and kneel by my side. The dream is important but very frightening, your lips are buzzing like flies. In the passage quoted, “be equal” means to face someone, to match, to withstand, to rival. Let my mouth which has cursed you, now turn to bless you! Blog Press Information. I gave the workmen(?) more than his friend Gilgamesh!” Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying: “My friend, 1 have been talking to you but you have not been listening to me,” You have been listening to the curse of Humbaba!” … his friend … by his side .. they pulled out his insides including his tongue. While going back it sloughed off its casing.’ At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping, his tears streaming over the side of his nose. Now then! EN FR Dictionary English-French. My friend who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness, Enkidu, my friend, who chased wild asses in the mountain, the panther of the wilderness, we joined together, and went up into the mountain. The plant’s name is ‘The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.’” Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth.” At twenty leagues they broke for some food, at thirty leagues they stopped for the night. The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me, so 1 have been roaming long roads through the wilderness. Then he loosened his waist-cloth(?) Where is he heading! Their Father Anu uttered the oath (of secrecy), Valiant Enlil was their Adviser, Ninurta was their Chamberlain, Ennugi was their Minister of Canals. “Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi! As you listened to these his words you struck him, turning him into a dwarf(? . No sooner have I given birth to my dear people than they fill the sea like so many fish!’ The gods–those of the Anunnaki–were weeping with her, the gods humbly sat weeping, sobbing with grief(? How alike are the sleeping(!) May he bring you into the … of the gods. Contextual translation of "gilgamesh" into English. To the rising of the sun … To the setting of the sun … To the setting of the sun … They caused to go out…”, “Though it be in deep sadness and pain, in cold or heat … gasping after breath … I will go on! Working with such a fragmentary manuscript, what do you see as the ethical responsibilities of the translator? Ten leagues he traveled … … is near, … four leagues. Two leagues he traveled …, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see. Six days and seven nights I mourned over him and would not allow him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose. Just as day began to dawn Gilgamesh addressed his friend, saying: “Enkidu, your mother, the gazelle, and your father, the wild donkey, engendered you, four wild asses raised you on their milk, and the herds taught you all the grazing lands. .The locks of his hair grew thick as a grain field,His teeth gleamed like the rising sun,His hair was dark as purple wool.Eleven cubits was his height,Four cubits his chest, from nipple to nipple,A triple cubit his feet and a rod his stride,A triple cubit the beard of his cheek . EN. I am SO glad I did. …” As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door, bolted her gate, bolted the lock. His father was the third king, Lugalbanda. To the living they (the gods) leave sorrow, to the living the dream leaves pain. Enkidu, your mother and your father are in the wastelands, I mourn you …” “Hear me, O Elders of Uruk, hear me, O men! It was a field in area, its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height, the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times It cubits each. I went into the boat and sealed the entry. Stunned shock over Adad’s deeds overtook the heavens, and turned to blackness all that had been light. if you do not let me in I will break your door, and smash the lock! I turned my equipment over into it (!). Trembling terror they inspire, the sight of them is death, their frightening aura sweeps over the mountains. 5.0 out of 5 stars Best Translation of the first story. I love it. Was it not you who provoked King Gilgamesh? The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me, so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness. She is covered with a veil … Gilgamesh was roving about… wearing a skin,… having the flesh of the gods in his body, but sadness deep within him, looking like one who has been traveling a long distance. For how long do we build a household? Gilgamesh Translations. I would drape his innards over your arms!” Ishtar assembled the (cultic women) of lovely-locks, joy-girls, and harlots, and set them to mourning over the hindquarter of the Bull. It will he harnessed with great storming mountain mules! and denunciations(?) Translate texts with the world's best machine translation technology, developed by the creators of Linguee. it(?) Enkidu raised his eyes,…and spoke to the door as if it were human: “You stupid wooden door, with no ability to understand… ! Of the shoulder (?) ), was under oath with them so he repeated their talk to the reed house: ‘Reed house, reed house! Gertrude: “But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading . Gilgamesh and Enkidu saw ‘monkeys’ as part of the exotic and noisy fauna of the Cedar Forest; this was not mentioned in other versions of the Epic. When a seventh day arrived I sent forth a dove and released it. Hardcover. sweet sleep has not mellowed my face, through sleepless striving I am strained, my muscles are filled with pain. The Epic of Gilgamesh Translation Translated by Stephen Langdon, University of Pennsylvania. ), and destroy him! The boat which you are to build, its dimensions must measure equal to each other: its length must correspond to its width. I would gladly feed you food fit for a god, I would gladly give you wine fit for a king, … may the street(?) May the herder …, who prepared butter and light beer for your mouth, mourn you. For the caulking of the boat, to Puzuramurri, the boatman, I gave the palace together with its contents. The scorpion-being called out to his female: “He who comes to us, his body is the flesh of gods!” The scorpion-being, his female, answered him: “(Only) two-thirds of him is a god, one-third is human.”, The male scorpion-being called out, saying to the offspring of the gods: “Why have you traveled so distant a journey? The Arabs say that every language is a person, and the reader of many translations of the epic will understand what they mean. A legendary king of Uruk, who is the hero of the Babylonian poem "Epic of Gilgamesh". Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway. enjoyed his life– he raised his axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his sheath, and fell into their midst like an arrow. This was the man to whom all things were known; this was the king who knew the countries of the world. But you are sitting there like a shepherd… and like a ‘hireling of his mouth.’ Now, Enkidu, clemency is up to you. smithsonianmag.com April 30, 2007. He woke up and revealed his dream to his friend. They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back, until two-thirds of it had gone into the water(?). Analysis Of ' The Epic Of Gilgamesh ' Essay 1265 Words | 6 Pages. Iclal: Please tell us about your journey with The Epic of Gilgamesh. . Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed (a sheep). $25.99. How did you decide to translate the tablets? Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard! Linguee. The Snatcher has taken hold of my flesh, in my bedroom Death dwells, and wherever I set foot there too is Death!” Home Empty-Handed Utanapishtim said to Urshanabi, the ferryman: “May the harbor reject you, may the ferry landing reject you! The next verb means more specifically to rival and seems stronger, like English “compete.” Since Gilgamesh is a king, Enkidu can never be his true equal, but he is an equal in the sense that Gilgamesh accepts him as his friend ahead of anyone else. $7.79. Sources: William Muss Arnolt, "The Gilgamesh Narrative, Usually Called the Babylonian Nimrod Epic," in Assyrian and Babylonian Literature: Selected Translations, ed. I was terrified by his appearance(! O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu: Tear down the house and build a boat! … you roam the wilderness!” Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim saying: “Should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate! The Young Men dozed off, sleeping on the couches of the night. All day long the South Wind blew …, blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water, overwhelming the people like an attack. The sea calmed, fell still, the whirlwind (and) flood stopped up. 4.4 out of 5 stars 31. Where is he heading! ), I will dwell with you as your servant (?) The deliberation should be about him!’ Enlil went up inside the boat and, grasping my hand, made me go up. For instance, in the nineteenth century, the flood story was a turning point for the rebirth of this epic. 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