Ancient Quote by N.K. Sandars
““Whether or not the fame of Gilgamesh of Uruk had reached the Aegean – and the idea is attractive – there can be no doubt that it was as great as that of any other hero. In time his name became so much a household word that jokes and forgeries were fathered onto it, as in a popular fraud that survives on eighth-century B.C. tablets which perhaps themselves copy an older text. This is a letter supposed to be written by Gilgamesh to some other king, with commands that he should send improbable quantities of livestock and metals, along with gold and precious stones for an amulet for Enkidu, which would weigh no less that thirty pounds. The joke must have been well received, for it survives in four copies, all from Sultantepe.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Introduction to Gilgamesh, translated by N.K. Sandars, 1972
The quote highlights Gilgamesh’s legendary fame and how later cultures created forgeries and jokes about him, showing how heroic narratives become popular folklore.
In simple terms: Gilgamesh’s fame spread, leading to jokes and forged letters about him.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how stories evolve and are reshaped over time.
Themes
myth
legacy
culture
humor
literature
Mood
curious
reflective
analytical
Type
myth:1
Babylon:1
Epic:1
Gilgamesh:1
Introduction:1
Literature:1
Precious stones:0
Fame Gilgamesh:1
Written Gilgamesh:0
Gilgamesh King:0
When to use this quote
- academic study
- literary analysis
- museum curation
- public storytelling
- media adaptation
Key Concepts
heroic archetype
cultural transmission
textual authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor affect our perception of ancient heroes?
- What responsibilities do scholars have in separating myth from fact?
A Different Perspective
The humor may obscure historical facts, leading to misconceptions.
