Most Ancient Verse Selected and translated by Thorkild Jacobsen and John A. Wilson

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This volume presents a selection of Sumerian and Egyptian poems, translated by Thorkild Jacobsen and John A. Wilson. Most of these poems had never before appeared in English. The translations are purposefully juxtaposed in order to draw attention to some of the contrasts between these two very different ancient poetic traditions. The translations are also themselves works of art, carefully crafted to convey not only the content but also the tone, rhythm, and style of the originals.

  • Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963
  • Pp. xii + 57