Gilgamesh

Man's immortality comes from his actions

One of the world's greatest and oldest poetic works, the Epic of Gilgamesh, king of the city of Uruk in southern Mesopotamia, has been retold by Vojtěch Zamarovský with respect for the stunning poetic images, dramatic scenes and power of ideas. The fear of death and the desire for immortality permeates all cultures. "You will not escape death," says King Utanapishtim to the despairing Gilgamesh, mourning his comrade Enkidu. "Young or old, master or servant - what can you do when destiny is fulfilled. At the moment of death everyone is equal, everyone must die, they just don't know when. Only great gods live forever!" But Gilgamesh, in his pain and anguish, rejects the fate of man and longs to become immortal.