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‘Various stories relating a catastrophic flood are told by classical authors.

These flood stories may derive from a single Mesopotamian original used in travellers tales for over two thousand years along the great Caravan Routes of Western Asia.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh the ‘Flood Story’ is used to mark the time in history after which it was no longer possible for a mortal to win immortality.

The Flood is also important in wider Mesopotamian Tradition as it marks the end of the period when the Seven Sages lived on earth and brought to mankind the arts of civilisation…

The various derivations of the Flood Hero’s name, or epithets, attest to this transition… ‘Extra-Wise’ ‘He Found Life’ ‘The Far-Distant’ ‘The Green One’.’

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… Wen and I are still in the British Museum mulling over one of the information boards.

We don’t normally hold with ‘establishment views’ but this one’s not bad.

“There seems to be some conflation of Sages with Gods.”

“That there are seven should, perhaps, be ringing bells.”

“The planets?”

“Planetary Beings.”

“‘Lived on earth’ probably needs ‘fleshing out’ then.”

“‘Moved amongst men’?”

“Is possibly even more confusing.”

“You’re probably right, but it is clear from the cylinder seals, that there was communication of some form.”

“Science has a lot to answer for in that respect.”

“Not least the ‘word salad’ of creation.”

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LORD OF THE DEEP: THE QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY

A DRAMATIC RETELLING OF THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

The Oldest written story known to man…
What spiritual treasures lie hidden in this, five thousand-year old, Epic?
What can this ancient civilisation teach us about the questions of existence?
Join us on this quest of a life-time, next April, to find out…

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‘Gilgamesh is among the greatest things that can ever happen to a person.’
– Rainer Maria Rilke.

Fully catered weekend package, including room, meals and workshop: £235 – £260

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