The Epic of Gilgamesh: A Myth Revisited

This English-Hebrew volume contains two translations of one, the English verse version by poet Danny P. Jackson, and the other in Hebrew by poet Saul Tchernichosky together with 14 color reproductions of Raban’s previously unpublished paintings illustrating the myth. It also contains an essay on the psycho-existential dimensions of this ancient-modern hero by clinical psychologist and myth scholar David S. Kahn; an essay by classical scholar James G. Keenan, a guide to the epic’s themes and narrative forms and types; and a commentary by art historian Gideon Ofrat on Raban’s work. This oversize book (9.25x14”) is printed on art-quality vellum paper.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is often regarded as the first piece of world literature. Even after four thousand years, it still reaches all of us, wrestling as it does with basic questions of the meaning of life and death. New translations, retellings and studies of Gilgamesh appear every year, directed to scholars, to a more popular audience, and even to children. This volume is meant for a popular audience. It includes a translation into English, by Danny P. Jackson, and one into Hebrew, by the poet Saul Tchernikovsky. Both translations, but particularly that of Jackson, are rather free renderings of the text, not literal translations. The book is prefaced by articles (each in both English and Hebrew) which explore the psychological dimensions of Gilgamesh. The heart of the volume are fourteen gouache paintings by Zeev Raban, never previously published, which illustrate events of the narrative. The colors in these paintings are stunning. This is a handsome, even sumptuous volume, one which it is a pleasure to touch and to read. The translations are printed over colors and patterns drawn from Raban’s paintings. Specialists will argue over nuances of the translations. The true test of a classic is that each time one reads it, one finds something new, and that is true of these translations.

This book is handsomly designed. The soft, sensual texture of the matte dust jacket is well suited to the artwork as well as emotionally complementary to the subject matter. It is a clean design that does nothing more than state the title, but it does that extremely well (in both English and Hebrew). This is a cover that stands out for its graceful simplicity. One of the most outstanding design choices was that of the paper. Not only does the paper have body and quality, it is also an excellent choice for illustration reproduction that quietly enhances rather than stands out. The title and copyright pages are nicely done, maintaining the clean crisp appearance promised by the dust jacket. The choice of font - a sans serif one - also continued that same feeling. Nevertheless, I am of two minds about teh choice of font. While continuing the "feel" is important, it is equally important to factor in the readability of any design choices. Sans serif fonts are not considered as easy on the eyes as serif ones and are, for that reason, usually restricted to titles, captions and other short pieces of text. Using such a font for the entire text is exciting, but tiring, and publishers should always stay aware of the practical needs of their audience while designing. However, I do especially want to note that the size of the font throughout the text was perfect. This is a publisher who is aware of two important issues: (1) the potential audience is probably over the age of 40 and appreciates larger fonts; and (2) that the larger font lends itself perfectly to the size of the book. I loved the size of the book. It gave a feeling of substantiality and quality that lent itself well to the poem's significance. Eash section of the book was well set off from the others without being so different as to cause notice. The glossary is a thoughtful addition to the book as is the commentary on Zeev Raban and his illustrations. And the reproduction of the illustrations themselves is magnificent. This is extremely well done, and its dos-a-dos format makes this a bok worthy of commendation.

The Epic of Gilgamesh. A Myth Revisited. A joint publication by Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers (Wauconda, Illinois) and D.K. GraubArt Publishers Ltd. (Jerusalem), 2001. 198 pp. + illustrations, case bound $79.95, £55.75. A young Englishman, George Smith, trained as a bank-note engraver, but immersed in the study of the ancient Assyrians was amazed to find that in translating a clay tablet in the British Museum he had come across the tale of the Great Flood, and the story of the ante-diluvian Akkadian King Gilmamesh. Today, that discovery in the 1870s, fleshed out by the archaeological recovery of more tablets with “chapters” from the Epic of Gilgamesh, has become one of the cornerstones in the study of 3rd millennium B.C.E. history and society in Akkad and Babylonia. The Epic was originally written in Sumerian (an unclassified language), and sometime later in Akkadian, a Semitic tongue akin to Hebrew and Arabic. There are many tales of a Great Flood in various parts of the world; it is difficult to say which are indigenous to a locale, and which are derived from other literature. There remains the question whether, as first believed with the discovery of the Assyrian text by Smith, the deluge described in Genesis was derived from a Sumerian-Akkadian source. Gilgamesh the king and adventurer is, much like England’s King Arthur, mainly romantic legend based probably on a real life figure, the heroic Gilgamesh figure ruled the city of Uruk (modern Warka in southern Iraq, the biblical Erech) for 126 years. His adventures carried him far abroad until he gained what he long sought, the one man and his family who alone survived the Great Flood and thus had gained the secret of eternal life. The aura of Gilgamesh survived the millennia, known in classical literature as Gilgamos, King of the Babylonians. But the power of the story, the all too human passion exposed in this drama, has much to offer a modern audience beyond the halls of academia. Therein lies the rationale for this volume, large in format, rich in design, and handsomely illustrated. Here the poet Danny Jackson provides an eloquent verse translation of the Epic into English accompanying a 1924 Hebrew translation by another poet, Saul Tchernichovsky. Interleaved are evocative illustrations by Zaban, in the dramatic style typical of the Jerusalem Bezalel School that was active in the post World War I era. Both poets and painter must have been attracted by the heroic dimensions and powerful images of the Epic, reminiscent of the massive sculptures and monumental buildings of the Sumerians and Akkadians. Completing the volume are three thoughtful, as well as thought-provoking, essays detailing the psychological impact of the Epic. David S. Han analyzes the adventures of Gilgamesh as a journey of psychological development; James G. Keenan offers a summary appreciation of the Epic; and Sidoon Ofrat focuses on the work of the painter Zaban, suggesting that the Gilgamesh paintings were made in 1954, some thirty years after he had illustrated “The Song of Songs” (Shir HaShirin.) In all, the uninitiated as well as the scholar is presented with a sumptuous feast of myth, history, human passion, and art.. Rabbi Ernst J. Conrad Bernard Goldman

The Epic of Gilgamesh, A Myth Revisited (A Hebrew and English Edition) reviewed by Ruth Ravid The Epic of Gilgamesh, A Myth Revisited, is a real treat for all literature and art lovers. The original poem, describing the adventures of this Assyrian-Babylonian hero, found in the Library of Ashurbanipal of Nineveh, was written at the beginning of the second millennium B.C. The translation into Hebrew was done in 1924 by Saul Tchernichovsky; the English version is by Danny Jackson. Both manage to retain the original text's rhythm and spirit-they have created poetry that has its own life and that conveys the ancient period's style of writing, pace, and expressions. The book is beautiful to look at and the text is captivating and informative. Having read Tchernichovsky's Gilgamesh as a high school student, it was a pleasure for me to revisit it here. The book showcases the rare talent of Tchernichovsky as well as Raban's striking artistry. The artist chose a number of lines from the text's "tablets" and used vivid, rich colors to bring these lines to life: a feast for the eyes. In addition, pages of the text are printed over enlargements of colors and patterns from Raban's paintings, which sets the mood and enriches the written text. Three scholarly commentaries complement the text: David Kahn's essay, "The Epic of Gilgamesh as a Journey of Psychological Development"; James Keenan's article, "Gilgamesh: An Appreciation"; and Gideon Ofrat's "The Song of Songs which is of Gilgamesh." Kahn, a clinical psychologist, conveys the message, implication, and relevance that the original text has for modern twenty-first-century readers. Keenan, a professor of Classics, provides a helpful introduction, context, and personal appreciation of the epic. Art historian Gideon Ofrat's knowledge of the historical and artistic background illuminates Raban's lush miniatures. Together, these commentaries enable readers to understand and better appreciate the epic and Raban's depictions of it. A brief editorial overview of the historical period of the epic's eponymous hero and a helpful glossary of names round out the edition. The Epic of Gilgamesh, A Myth Revisited, goes beyond being the beautiful "coffee table" book that it of course is. It is also a welcome addition to the collections of serious readers and Gilgamesh scholars, and to those of us who simply appreciate and enjoy fine art. The book is a veritable treasure trove-great poetry, beautiful artistic pictures and illustrations, scholarly essays, historical perspectives, psychological analysis and implications for the contemporary reader-all in one sumptuous volume that is a pleasure to hold and read. Readers will be inclined to come back and reread the whole of it over and over, and also to savor it, bit by bit. This book is a rarity: both rich and enriching, and one that will appeal to more casual, pleasure readers as well as to serious scholars. Dr. Ruth Ravid was born in Israel and was an elementary school teacher there. She came to the U.S.A. about thirty years ago, taught Hebrew for approximately twenty years to students in primary grades, high school, and to adults. Since 1986, she been a professor at National-Louis University, teaching research methods, statistics, and assessment. She is currently a full professor in the department of Foundations and Research in the College of Education at N.L.U. She has been the department chair for ten years (until August 31 of 2001). She has authored or edited the following books: Practical Statistics for Educators (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2000. (With E. Oyer) Workbook to Accompany Practical Statistics for Educators (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2000.

The Epic Of Gilgamesh Danny P. Jackson, translator Saul Tchernichovsky, translator Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers 1000 Brown St., Wauconda, IL 60084 0865165270 $79.95 www.bolchazy.com The Epic Of Gilgamesh: A Myth Revisited is the oldest work of literature in recorded history and an epic poem which is aptly translated into English by Danny P. Jackson, and into Hebrew by Saul Tchernichovsky. Color illustrations in an impressive mosaic style mark this hardbound, bilingual rendition, and three informative essays about Gilgamesh round out this most impressive volume. An evocative and powerful presentation, The Epic Of Gilgamesh is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal, academic or public library collection.