Which epic poem recounts the quest of Gilgamesh for immortality?

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The Epic of Gilgamesh is the correct answer as it is the ancient Mesopotamian poem that details the adventures of Gilgamesh, a historical king of Uruk, and his quest for eternal life. This epic explores significant themes such as friendship, the nature of humanity, and the inevitability of death. Gilgamesh, alongside his friend Enkidu, embarks on a journey that leads him to seek out Utnapishtim, the immortal flood survivor, in hopes of learning the secret to achieving immortality.

This poem is one of the earliest known literary works, originating from ancient Sumer around 2100 BCE. Its narrative not only provides insight into the values and beliefs of early Mesopotamian society but also reflects universal human concerns about life and death that resonate throughout history. The other options, while significant literary works in their own right, focus on different characters and themes, such as the Trojan War in The Iliad, Odysseus' journey home in The Odyssey, and Aeneas' quest in The Aeneid. None of these works share the specific focus on Gilgamesh's pursuit of immortality as seen in The Epic of Gilgamesh.

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