This paper deals with the importance of the study of the "Gilgamesh" epic as a means to study the textual history and
development
of ancient narratives, because it's the only Mesopotamian epic that is this well attested from so many
different periods. A short summary of the epic is given, followed by a discussion of its
development from a collection of Sumerian tales into the standard Akkadian version that we know today. Outline Summary of the Gilgamesh Epic The 'Moral of the Story' The Development of the Gilgamesh Epic in the Different Versions The Authorship and Composition of the Gilgamesh Epic