Simon Armitage: Gilgamesh - Augustine Hall - Canterbury Christ Church University

The Poet Laureate performs his exhilarating new verse translation of the ancient epic poem Gilgamesh in the finale of this year's Books & Ideas programme. Gilgamesh originated in Ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4,000 years ago, yet its themes of power, loyalty, love and loss resound with contemporary relevance. Simon Armitage’s fresh and propulsive version brings Gilgamesh alive as poetry, transporting us back to the very origins of civilisation and storytelling.