Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course introduces students to one of the great works of ancient literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh (in translation). We will read and discuss the fantastic slaying of Humbaba, and Bull of Heaven episodes, as well as the cultures of the Ancient Near East which surround the Epic.
What will we cover?
We will introduce the Epic, as well as the wider historic traditions surrounding it. We will read the prologue, the journey to the Cedar Forest and the slaying of Humbaba, and the Bull of Heaven episodes, and will discuss the historical and cultural backgrounds of the Epic, as well as its surviving legacy.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
confidently discuss the narrative labelled the Epic of Gilgamesh, including its evolution;
discuss its relation to the wider tradition of Ancient Near Eastern literature;
identify the structure and path of the Epic;
confidently read and analyse episodes within the Epic;
identify layers of mythology, ideology and culture in the narrative.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge or exposure is required/expected. This course will be useful for complete beginners as well as students of the ancient world.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be no work outside class, although further reading will be suggested for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. The aim is for maximum student engagement with the Epic.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Just bring a pen, some paper (or a tablet), and yourself.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-epic-of-gilgamesh-part-13044002The Epic of Gilgamesh - part 1https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the-epic-of-gilgamesh-part-1-rt314-1200.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Online courses228511771191119217311228511771191<p>Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.</p>003021448The Epic of Gilgamesh - part 19999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the-epic-of-gilgamesh-part-1-rt314-1200_1.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRT3149999The Epic of Gilgamesh - part 1996499Yentl Lovethe-epic-of-gilgamesh-part-1/rt314-2526<p>Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00<p>This course introduces students to one of the great works of ancient literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh (in translation). We will read and discuss the fantastic slaying of Humbaba, and Bull of Heaven episodes, as well as the cultures of the Ancient Near East which surround the Epic.</p><p>Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.</p><p>We will introduce the Epic, as well as the wider historic traditions surrounding it. We will read the prologue, the journey to the Cedar Forest and the slaying of Humbaba, and the Bull of Heaven episodes, and will discuss the historical and cultural backgrounds of the Epic, as well as its surviving legacy.</p><ul><li>confidently discuss the narrative labelled the Epic of Gilgamesh, including its evolution;</li><li>discuss its relation to the wider tradition of Ancient Near Eastern literature;</li><li>identify the structure and path of the Epic;</li><li>confidently read and analyse episodes within the Epic;</li><li>identify layers of mythology, ideology and culture in the narrative.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge or exposure is required/expected. This course will be useful for complete beginners as well as students of the ancient world.</p><p>There will be no work outside class, although further reading will be suggested for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. The aim is for maximum student engagement with the Epic.</p><p>No. Just bring a pen, some paper (or a tablet), and yourself.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p><p>Course image credit:<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enkidu,_Gilgamesh%27s_friend._From_Ur,_Iraq,_2027-1763_BCE._Iraq_Museum.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)</a></p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual999964RT314NONEMon20/04/26 - 01/06/2619:00 - 20:3019:0020:305 sessions (over 7 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineYentl LoveBeginnersAvailable courses2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities9999The Epic of Gilgamesh - part 1the-epic-of-gilgamesh-part-1/rt314-2526<p>Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00<p>This course introduces students to one of the great works of ancient literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh (in translation). We will read and discuss the fantastic slaying of Humbaba, and Bull of Heaven episodes, as well as the cultures of the Ancient Near East which surround the Epic.</p><p>Discover the legend that began it all. Journey back to third millennium BCE to discover what is commonly referred to as the world’s oldest surviving work of literature, the story of the king Gilgamesh and his epic quest to conquer gods, monsters, and even death itself.</p><p>We will introduce the Epic, as well as the wider historic traditions surrounding it. We will read the prologue, the journey to the Cedar Forest and the slaying of Humbaba, and the Bull of Heaven episodes, and will discuss the historical and cultural backgrounds of the Epic, as well as its surviving legacy.</p><ul><li>confidently discuss the narrative labelled the Epic of Gilgamesh, including its evolution;</li><li>discuss its relation to the wider tradition of Ancient Near Eastern literature;</li><li>identify the structure and path of the Epic;</li><li>confidently read and analyse episodes within the Epic;</li><li>identify layers of mythology, ideology and culture in the narrative.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge or exposure is required/expected. This course will be useful for complete beginners as well as students of the ancient world.</p><p>There will be no work outside class, although further reading will be suggested for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. The aim is for maximum student engagement with the Epic.</p><p>No. Just bring a pen, some paper (or a tablet), and yourself.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p><p>Course image credit:<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enkidu,_Gilgamesh%27s_friend._From_Ur,_Iraq,_2027-1763_BCE._Iraq_Museum.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)</a></p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
11921191Ancient civilisationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/ancient-civilisations-11/2/285/1177/1191/11921/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations
