The Bahrain National Museum has on display a captivating tableau depicting the ancient Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh and Enki (aka Enkidu). The connection between Gilgamesh and the Dilmun civilization lies in the epic’s references to Dilmun (modern-day Bahrain) as a paradisiacal land of bliss and eternal youth. The museum has an entire hall dedicated to the Dilmun civilization, which persisted in this region from 5,000 B.C. to 400 B.C. Each element of the tableau is rich in symbolism, reflecting the themes and motifs of the ancient epic. On the right,…
