Gilgamesh the King
A 1984 historical novel by American writer Robert Silverberg.
Robert Silverberg’s 1984 novel *Gilgamesh the King* adapts the ancient epic into a first-person memoir. The story follows Gilgamesh from his youth as a giant and formidable warrior. After his father, the king of Uruk, dies, the jealous new ruler Dumuzi exiles him. When Dumuzi later dies, Gilgamesh returns to claim the throne. Silverberg treats the poem’s fantastic events with a realistic lens, remaining skeptical of the supernatural. In the afterword, he explains that he aimed to tell the tale as if Gilgamesh himself wrote it, adding his own interpretations not found in scholarly work. Silverberg later wrote several stories for the *Heroes in Hell* anthology series about Gilgamesh’s adventures in the underworld, including the award-winning novella *Gilgamesh in the Outback*.
Critics offered mixed assessments. Neil Gaiman, writing in *Imagine* magazine, called it a fascinating look at an ancient culture, praising the cover by Jim Burns. Dave Langford, in *White Dwarf* #69, deemed the novel laudable and essential reading, but argued that Silverberg’s realistic approach weakened the theme of immortality compared to his fantasy *The Book of Skulls*. The book received multiple reviews in 1984–1988 from publications such as *Locus*, *Fantasy Review*, *Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine*, *Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone Magazine*, *Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact*, *Vector*, *Science Fiction Review*, and the German *Das Science Fiction Jahr*.
- Author
- Robert Silverberg
- Published
- 1984
- Field
- Historical novel
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Presenting the Epic of Gilgamesh as a realistic novel
Lore & Background
The novel is told from the point of view of Gilgamesh, who is a giant among men and an amazing warrior even from a young age. When the king of Uruk (his father) dies, Gilgamesh is exiled by the recently crowned Dumuzi, jealous of his skills and power. When in time Dumuzi dies, Gilgamesh returns to the kingdom to be proclaimed. In the afterword, Silverberg wrote that he attempted to interpret the fanciful and fantastic events of the poems in a realistic way, as though Gilgamesh were writing his own memoirs, introducing many interpretations of his own devising.
Reader's Guide
Gilgamesh the King is significant as a novelization of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh by a noted American writer. Silverberg's realistic approach to the legendary material was noted by reviewers, with Dave Langford stating that the realistic approach weakens the theme of immortality compared to Silverberg's own fantasy The Book of Skulls. Neil Gaiman described the work as 'A fascinating look at a long-gone culture, with a magnificent Jim Burns cover.' Silverberg later wrote stories for the fantasy anthology series Heroes in Hell describing Gilgamesh's posthumous adventures in the underworld, including the award-winning novella Gilgamesh in the Outback. The novel received multiple reviews in science fiction and fantasy periodicals in 1984–1988.
Did You Know?
- The novel was published in 1984.
- Silverberg wrote an afterword stating he introduced many interpretations of his own devising.
- Neil Gaiman reviewed the novel for Imagine magazine.
- Dave Langford reviewed it for White Dwarf #69.
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