Question About The Epic of Gilgamesh

[Reefgazer]

I was searching reviews for a translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, when I came across a 1-star rating that read as follows: 

 

"Be VERY CAREFUL which edition you order. I was sent the newest translation on "accident" by the seller and was completely shocked at "what" was omitted and even the wording that was changed. (The Bronze Emblem cover is the original Penguine Classic-- the Winged Bull made of Stone is the "Latest Translation)
There are secret things in the Epic of Gilgamesh that the Illuminati do not want getting into the wrong hands (ie; the general public's hands). Do not ask what they are because I cannot tell and will not tell. But if you do your due diligence and stay committed you will find it eventually. Good luck. And make sure you get the original version. The new translation is trash."

 

What in the heck is the poster talking about  regarding" things in the Epic of Gilgamesh that the iluminati do not want...."?

[chiguirre]

The poster is a loon. However, there is some very explicit sexual descriptions in at least one of the modern translations. We listened to the audiobook and both T and I were super embarrassed. I think it was this edition:

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Gilgamesh/dp/1419305409/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473307903&sr=8-1&keywords=9781419305405

 

Sometimes, bowdlerization is a good thing...

[maize]

That Amazon review sounds like a prank.

 

Second the caution about sexual explicitness, it's there in the original but some translations treat it a bit more circumspectly than others. It's something you'll have to determine your own comfort level with (my comfort level is low so I just skip it).

[elegantlion]

The original version would be in cuneiform, and I doubt that Amazon stocks that one.  :p

[Haiku]

It's just a joke. People like to pretend the Illumunati are secretly running the world.

The original version would be in cuneiform, and I doubt that Amazon stocks that one.  :p

 

Imagine the price for shipping! 

[maize]

The original version would be in cuneiform, and I doubt that Amazon stocks that one. :p

Amazon stocks everything :)

 

I just meant that the original is in fact quite explicit but some translations tone things down a bit or are more poetic in their descriptions. others feel more raw.

 

Don't know how the original would have come across to native speakers, they haven't been around for awhile ;)

[katilac]

It's just a joke. People like to pretend the Illumunati are secretly running the world.

 

I can assure you that some people are quite serious in that belief. 

[Haiku]

I can assure you that some people are quite serious in that belief. 

 

And some are serious they are Jedi. ;)

 

The ones who truly believe in the Illuminati generally don't talk about it publicly.

[Mom25girls]

WOW. I just finished reading this for the sixth time and umm...I'm ALMOST motivated to re-read it and see what I'm missing!

[elegantlion]

Amazon stocks everything :)

 

I just meant that the original is in fact quite explicit but some translations tone things down a bit or are more poetic in their descriptions. others feel more raw.

 

Don't know how the original would have come across to native speakers, they haven't been around for awhile ;)

 

Yeah, I was more responding to the review to get the "original."  

 

We just discussed Gilgamesh in the college class I SI for (like group tutoring). I like how the professor covers that explicit part - talking about women as a humanizing force. The version we read was blunt but fairly tame to a few other versions I've read. 

 

I think there is so much more to the story that overlooking it just for one section is missing a lot. I count Gilgamesh as one of my favorite stories.