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Please Note: This is the Academic Edition of 'ADAPA's ASCENT' with 200 pages of supplementary essays and analysis not included in the Popular Edition, also available on Amazon, entitled 'ADAPA's ASCENT: The First Story'.DATING BACK AS EARLY AS THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH, 'ADAPA's ASCENT' HAS CLAIMS TO BE THE VERY FIRST STORY EVER TOLDThe story of Adapa's Ascent was known in Mesopotamia, Egypt and beyond. Abraham himself was acquainted with the story of Adapa - another 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 READERSThis 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 "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 Prologue and Epilogue - Adapa's Ascent tactfully intercuts between the different characters, episodes and locations of this legendary tale.Illustrated throughout by the artwork of acclaimed painter Odilon Redon, who dedicated a whole series of paintings to the legend of 'Oannes' ('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!DISCOVER A STORY THAT WAS BURIED IN SECRET FOR OVER 2500 YEARS - A MYTH OF MAN AND IMMORTALITYThis Academic Edition of Adapa's Ascent includes: Introductory Essay 'The Birth of Fiction', where poet Edouard d'Araille explains the unique position of Adapa's Ascent in the History of Fiction.Critical Commentary 'Recreating an Ancient Classic', in which the translator explains how mini-epic Adapa's Ascent was revived in this innovative English verse translation based on cutting-edge source research.Bonus: New Translation - a new, poetic version of the earliest Sumerian version of the myth (c.1760 BCE), shedding new light on the evolution of the narrative.PLUS: Character Glossary, Cuneiform So