Comparing Noah And The Epic Of Gilgamesh Flood

“It is possible to take the story of Noah figuratively, although virtually every Near East ancient civilization has its own version of the flood story...” (Shapiro). There have been numerous stories from different ancient sources all around the world. The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest written stories, dating back to 2000 BC. Many years later, Noah and the Flood was created. Although these stories were created in different times and eras, there many similarities and differences that exist between the two accounts based on the heroes, their journeys throughout the flood, and their actions after the flood. In The Epic of Gilgamesh readers are introduced to the king of the city-state of Uruk, Gilgamesh. He is a righteous man who is “two-thirds man, is handsome, courageous and powerful” (“Epic…”139). After a close friend died, Gilgamesh feared death and went on a lengthy journey in hopes to find an answer to eternal life. He then meets an old man who was given immortality, Utnapishtim, who shares his secrets of the gods. Noah from Noah and the Flood was also considered a righteous man. He was “blameless with his age; Noah walked with God” (“Noah…”171) In …show more content…
When the flood comes to closure, both land their boats on mountains. Noah lands on Mt. Ararat, while Utnapishtim lands on Mt. Nisir. In Noah and the Flood, god regrets his decision of destroying mankind. Now pleased, God agrees that “never again will I doom the earth because of man...nor will I ever again destroy every living being, as I have done” (“Noah…”174). God blesses Noah and his sons and tells them to be fertile and repopulate the earth. As for Gilgamesh, he tries once more to own a long lasting life. Though he loses the sacred flower that was given to him for youth. Gilgamesh gains nothing but “he was wise, he saw mysteries and knew secret things, be brought a tale of the days before the flood”