The Epic of Gilgamesh

One of the earliest known poems in human history is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which originated in ancient Mesopotamia around 2100 BCE. 

This epic poem (author unknown) recounts the adventures and exploits of Gilgamesh, a legendary king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk. 

The poem is composed in ancient Sumerian and Akkadian languages and is one of the earliest works of literature known to humanity. It predates many other ancient literary works, including the Homeric epics of Greece (such as the Iliad and the Odyssey) and the ancient Indian epics (such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata). 

It consists of various episodes and narratives, including Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and his friendship with Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods.

I read Gilgamesh in college where it was presented as both a poem and a discovery that provided valuable insights into the culture, beliefs, and storytelling traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. It remains a significant literary and historical artifact, showcasing the enduring power of storytelling and poetry throughout human civilization.

Neo-Assyrian clay tablet. Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet 11: Story of the Flood.
Known as the "Flood Tablet"
From the Library of Ashurbanipal, 7th century BC