Three Ancient Kings

Three wonderfully retold versions folk tales from around the world. The first tale is of King Gilgamesh of Erech, the second is a Danish tale of Hrolf Kraki and the third one, set in Ireland, tells the story of the fairy folk and Conary the high king of Ireland. 


“The three stories in this book come from different periods and from greatly differing cultures. The tales themselves are quite unlike each other, but all three have this in common: each relates the story of a king-hero who, deservedly or undeservedly, is persecuted by a deity whom he has angered. In the first story, Gilgamesh deliberately defies a goddess; in the second, Hrolf Kraki fails to recognize a god when he meets him; and the blameless Conary, in the third story, is unlucky enough to inherit a god’s vengeance, originally directed against his ancestor.

In one other respect the three stories are similar, for each relates, as well as the tale of the king in question, the exploits, or some of the exploits, of a lesser hero who shared one or more adventures with that king. The story of Gilgamesh would be very different if it were not also the story of his beloved friend, Enkidu. Bothvar, the bear’s son, an interesting figure in his own right, is the companion of Hrolf Kraki on several adventures. And the story of Conary ends with a great feat performed by his faithful champion, Mac Cecht.” B. L. P.