Amy and Chris - The Great Flood Tablet (Epic of Gilgamesh)

The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, who is two-thirds god and one-third human. The gods create Enkidu, a wild man, to counterbalance Gilgamesh's oppressive rule. Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends after a trial of strength and embark on several adventures, including the slaying of the monster Humbaba and the killing of the Bull of Heaven. Following Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh sets out on a perilous journey to find Utnapishtim, the survivor of the Babylonian Flood, in search of the secret of eternal life. Despite his efforts, Gilgamesh learns that death is inevitable and returns to Uruk, reconciled to his mortality and appreciative of the enduring achievements of humanity.

The book tells the story of the Epic of Gilgamesh, from its origins in ancient Mesopotamia to its rediscovery in the 19th century. It details the efforts of early archaeologists and scholars, such as George Smith and Hormuzd Rassam, who uncovered and deciphered the cuneiform tablets containing the epic. The book also explores the epic's influence on later literature, including the Bible and other ancient texts, and its continued relevance in modern times.