Top Iraq Stories on GatherTales

Iraq's mythology is among the oldest in the world, with stories that date back to ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. The "Epic of Gilgamesh," one of the earliest known works of literature, tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality after the death of his friend Enkidu. This epic explores themes of friendship, loss, and the search for meaning in life. Another central figure in Mesopotamian mythology is "Inanna," the goddess of love, fertility, and war, whose descent into the underworld and subsequent resurrection symbolize the cycles of life and death. The "Anunnaki," a group of deities associated with the heavens and the earth, also play a significant role in Mesopotamian cosmology. These ancient stories, preserved in cuneiform tablets, have had a profound influence on later cultures and continue to be studied and celebrated for their insights into the human condition.