ADAPA's ASCENT

• The story of Adapa's Ascent was known in Mesopotamia, Egypt and beyond. Abraham himself will have been acquainted with the story of Adapa - a mortal faced with an ultimate choice by God
• Even 'Gilgamesh' (whose epic dates back almost 5 millennia) refers to the 'Seven Sages', of whom Adapa was one. Indeed, Gilgamesh intends to continue their beneficial works
• In fact, it appears that the very first oral forms of the story of Adapa's Ascent may date back almost 1500 years before the bible account of 'Adam and Eve' (c.1000 BCE) immortalized in the Book of Genesis

ADAPA's ASCENT, IN ITS WRITTEN FORM, EXISTS IN SOURCES DATING BACK ALMOST 4000 YEARS - IN THIS NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION IT SPEAKS TO 3rd MILLENNIUM READERS

This book presents the most complete version ever of the miniature epic of the Mesopotamian hero 'Adapa' - an exorcist priest offered Immortality by his Supreme God - and the most difficult decision of his entire existence. Contemporary poet Edouard d'Araille has forged an integrated version of Adapa's Ascent based on all surviving cuneiform tablets - the first form of writing - on which its episodes are written in Sumerian and Akkadian. Based on the most recent interpretative work in Assyriology and never departing from its original sources, Adapa's Ascent presents the most complete vision yet of this heroic 'Myth of Man & Immortality' - a "Story for All Ages".

Adapa's Ascent is the tale of the 'First Man', Adapa, a survivor of the Great Flood who has succeeded in setting up human civilization. However, all does not go well after Adapa is near-drowned by one of the Gods. He strikes them down with a powerful curse and his presence is demanded before Anu - God of all Gods - who will offer him a choice that could change his life forever: Eternal Life. Faced with his ultimate destiny, Adapa must decide whether or not to follow the stern advice of his father Enki, God of the Waters, who foretold to Adapa the scene that would face him in Heaven.

• Presented in 17 Poetic Chapters - with a Prologue and Epilogue - Adapa's Ascent tactfully intercuts between the different characters, episodes and locations of this legendary tale from the ancient world
• Illustrated throughout by the artwork of acclaimed painter Odilon Redon, who dedicated a whole series of paintings to the legend of 'Oannes' (an alternative name of 'Adapa').
• Were it not for a series of exceptional excavations in the 19th Century - that also unearthed ' Gilgamesh' - then Adapa's Ascent would still be unknown!

For those wishing to learn more about the narrative, its meaning and origins, the International Library Edition contains critical materials including the essays 'The Birth of Fiction', 'Recreating an Ancient Classic', Character Glossary, Photographs of the Source Tablets and a Select Bibliography, among other featured extras.