Status Updates From Gilgamesh: The New Translation

Bilgames and the Bull of Heaven: this differs from the version in the epic in a few ways. Inanna cries out, and her cry is so loud that An relents. Bilgames is unbothered by the bull and finishes his meal. He gives the bull’s remains to the poor of the village. I like the added detail in this version

Bilgames and Huwawa: Version A is fantastic and the best work in this entire collection (at least for now). This text is almost entirely complete. The verse is very readable and while it is repetitious I feel that unlike other Gilgamesh tablets, it serves the poem well, giving it a rhythmic feel. The narrative is also interesting: Bilgames makes a case for sparing Huwawa before Enkidu unexpectedly kills him

The dream interpretation section is fabulous.

it's so beautiful and strange and familiar

“The Envoys of Akka”: The elders of Uruk tell Bilgames that they should submit to his nephew Akka, king of Kish. Bilgames convinces the young men of Uruk that they should fight. His royal bodyguard Birhurturra is sent to Akka to “confound his good sense”. Akka beats him. Uruk attacks Kish’s army and wins. Bilgames defers to Akka, saying he gave him refuge and he lets Akka return home