Final answer:
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the earliest surviving work of world literature and not an example of satire; it addresses profound themes such as mortality and the human condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest surviving work of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh, is not an example of satire but rather an epic that explores various themes such as leadership, human frailty, friendship, fate, and the human condition. The epic tells the story of Gilgamesh, a partly-divine king, and his adventures with his friend Enkidu, addressing the philosophical concerns of mortality and the meaning of life in the face of death.
While satire as a literary form can be traced back to poets like Homer, it typically features criticism through humor and irony, a characteristic not central to the Epic of Gilgamesh.