Though I could not find specific credentials listed, she did consult several museums, including the British Museum, while writing the book. Zeman is a writer, illustrator and author. She also discusses the influence on later cultures and works such as the Old Testament. Zeman adds an Author’s Note at the end, which details the story of Gilgamesh and the contributions of the ancient Mesopotamians in general. One of my favorite scenes in the book shows Enkidu and Gilgamesh screaming at each other instead of yelling insults in English, cuneiform is seen in almost dagger-like form. On some pages it is made up of cuneiform and other times it is made up of motifs from ancient Mesopotamia. The story unfolds in horizontal images across each page, with a border along the top and bottom. The end papers are maps of the ancient Middle East and the color palate she chose is mainly soft yellows, oranges, and greens. Zeman is also the illustrator of this work, and the images she uses are pretty amazing. Through his friendship with Enkidu, Gilgamesh has become a better king. Prokouk the Acrobat sold first animated short film to Czech TV. Ludmila Zeman built puppets and painted backgrounds for Karel Zeman's films, including Mr. Born 1947, in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia (now Zln, Czech Republic) immigrated to Canada, 1984 became Canadian citizen, 1988. Zeman writes, “Gilgamesh and Enkidu, now brothers, watched and waved from atop the great wall”. Ludmila Zeman - Filmmaker, illustrator, animator, and writer.

After fighting atop the walls of the city of Uruk, Gilgamesh is saved by Enkidu and they become friends. In this first story, Enkidu, who has been sent by the gods, confronts Gilgamesh. Zeman writes about Gilgamesh and Enkidu in terms that capture the feelings evoked in the Epic itself while making it a manageable story. She has broken it into three books and this is the first section. In this retelling, Ludmila Zeman takes on the daunting task of condensing a very complex story into a readable version for young readers. Gilgamesh the King is a simplified version of the world’s oldest story, The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh the King by Ludmila Zeman