Written in ancient Mesopotamia more than 4,000 years ago, many people think this was the first epic story ever written down. It tells of the prowess of King Gilgamesh and his acguisition of a friend, Enkidu, and their adventures in the wilderness, battling monsters and searching for immortality. Adapted by Jeremy Howe from the English version by Stephen Mitchell , the drama is prefaced by the voices and opinions of writers, archaeologists and scholars who discuss the history and context of the epic poem.
Producer Tim Dee