Who is the hero of the world's oldest known epic myth?

The hero of the world's oldest known epic myth is Gilgamesh. This epic, known as the "Epic of Gilgamesh," originates from ancient Mesopotamia and dates back to around 2100 BCE. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his various adventures, including his friendship with Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods. The narrative explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for eternal life, making it a fundamental piece of literature that has influenced countless stories and traditions that followed.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned—Beowulf, Odysseus, and Achilles—are associated with later epic traditions. Beowulf is the hero of a later Old English epic poem, while Odysseus and Achilles are central characters in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," which belong to ancient Greek literature. Despite their significant roles in the development of epic storytelling, they are not the oldest, which firmly establishes Gilgamesh as the correct answer.