Achilles, Gilgamesh, and Epic Poetry: Interview with Professor Michael Clarke

<p>What do Achilles and Gilgamesh, two of the most renowned literary figures of the ancient world, have in common? A great deal more than you might expect. I talked to Professor Michael Clarke of the National University of Ireland, Galway, one of my favorite people in the world and an enormously creative and thoughtful scholar, about his recent book - <em>Achilles beside Gilgamesh: Mortality and Wisdom in Early Epic Poetry. </em>We discussed Homer, the world of the Bronze Age, how literature moved, and why so many of the same motifs appeared at various places and times in heroic literature.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Achilles-beside-Gilgamesh-Mortality-Wisdom-ebook/dp/B07Z881KV7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Professor Clarke's book, <em>Achilles beside Gilgamesh</em>, here</a>.</p><p>I wrote a book, and it comes out in July! You can preorder (in hard copy, e-book, or audiobook)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/patrick-wyman/the-verge/9781538701171/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World</em>&nbsp;here.</a></p><p>Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. <a href="https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory</a></p><p><br></p><p>Support us by supporting our sponsors!</p><p><strong>SimpliSafe</strong> - Visit <a href="http://simplisafe.com/TIDES" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>simplisafe.com/TIDES</strong></a> today to customize your system and get a FREE security camera.&nbsp;You&nbsp;also get a 60 day risk free trial, so there’s nothing to lose.</p><p><strong>Better Help</strong> - Get 10% off your first month&nbsp;at <a href="http://betterhelp.com/TIDES" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>betterhelp.c