In this insightful work, historian and archaeologist Véronique Grandpierre separates myth from historical reality in ancient Mesopotamia. The book focuses on the legendary kings of Sumer, including the famous Gilgamesh, exploring their reigns through cuneiform texts and archaeological findings. Grandpierre reconstructs the political and cultural world of these early rulers, offering a scholarly yet accessible account of the civilization that laid the foundations for subsequent empires. It's an essential read for anyone interested in the origins of kingship, mythology, and the dawn of history in the Near East.