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"Gilgamesh left his city to learn how to avoid death, and he returned having learned how to live. In the course of his travels, he saw everything throughout the land. Because he thought about what he had seen, he came to know everything that makes a person wise. When Gilgamesh returned, he inscribed his travels and his thoughts upon stone tablets and placed these tablets on the strong walls of Uruk" (Sin-leqi-unnunni 175).

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Final answer:

The Epic of Gilgamesh, a seminal work of ancient literature, deals with profound human concerns, notably the quest for immortality and the human condition in the face of inevitable death, set during the historic era of Mesopotamian civilization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a fascinating piece of ancient literature that captures the essence of human concerns and the philosophical ponderings of Mesopotamian society. Its central character, Gilgamesh, goes on a profound journey that encompasses the fight against monsters together with his friend Enkidu, achievements in building great works, and eventually, a deeply personal quest for immortality after confronting the inevitability of death.

Gilgamesh's journey symbolizes the human condition and the ancient Mesopotamians' quest to understand life in the face of mortality. The tale is also significant for its historical context, suggesting that Gilgamesh himself may have been a real king around 2700 BCE, as his name appears in archaeological records.

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