Humans, as the pinnacle of creation, strive to understand the meaning of their existence while confronting decay and ultimately accepting death. The idea of eternal existence, or immortality, appears frequently in ancient texts. This article examines four works from the ancient Near East: the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, the Ugaritic Epic of Aqhat, and the biblical Psalms 8 and 103. It will explore the possibility of human immortality and consider whether such a state can be achieved. These works remain central in the cultural memory of those familiar with the written tradition. How can we interpret these ancient texts in light of our current knowledge? Although paradoxically subject to decay, the characters of Gilgamesh, Aqhat, and the psalmist continue to inspire reflection on the concept of eternity. They serve as fundamental elements of our civilised self-awareness.
Eva Vymětalová Hrabáková (Thu,) studied this question.