The Spiritual Journey
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient piece of Mesopotamia literature that is often considered the oldest inscribed piece of literature on earth. This epic poem tells the story of a grand Mesopotamian King, Gilgamesh, who goes on a spiritual quest seeking the meaning behind life and death. During Gilgamesh’s spiritual journey, there are many events that are like the first book of the bible, Genesis. The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Christian Old Testament, as well as the first book of the Hebrew Bible. The Epic of Gilgamesh resembles Genesis through the cleansing of earth by a great flood, the hopes of immortality by a serpent, and the similarity between Enkidu and Adam. …show more content…
During Gilgamesh’s search for immortality he meets Utnapishtim, who became immortal after building a ship that survived the great flood. The gods sent a great flood to destroy man kind and chose Utnapishtim to live. He builds a ship and puts his family, commoners, and all species of animals aboard. Likewise, in the Book of Genesis, Noah was chosen by God to build an ark and he also survived a great flood. This flood’s intent was to rid the world of evil and destroy humanity. Noah builds an ark and puts his family and two of each animal species aboard. Both vessels contained enough people to repopulate the earth. Noah’s ark and Utnapishtim’s ship arrived at a mountain peak and they released birds to find land. The birds searched for dry land and when the birds did not return, Utnapishtim and Noah knew it was safe to abandon their vessels. Noah and Utnapishtim both performed sacrificial ceremonies and their gods blessed them after the
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient piece of Mesopotamia literature that is often considered the oldest inscribed piece of literature on earth. This epic poem tells the story of a grand Mesopotamian King, Gilgamesh, who goes on a spiritual quest seeking the meaning behind life and death. During Gilgamesh’s spiritual journey, there are many events that are like the first book of the bible, Genesis. The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Christian Old Testament, as well as the first book of the Hebrew Bible. The Epic of Gilgamesh resembles Genesis through the cleansing of earth by a great flood, the hopes of immortality by a serpent, and the similarity between Enkidu and Adam. …show more content…
During Gilgamesh’s search for immortality he meets Utnapishtim, who became immortal after building a ship that survived the great flood. The gods sent a great flood to destroy man kind and chose Utnapishtim to live. He builds a ship and puts his family, commoners, and all species of animals aboard. Likewise, in the Book of Genesis, Noah was chosen by God to build an ark and he also survived a great flood. This flood’s intent was to rid the world of evil and destroy humanity. Noah builds an ark and puts his family and two of each animal species aboard. Both vessels contained enough people to repopulate the earth. Noah’s ark and Utnapishtim’s ship arrived at a mountain peak and they released birds to find land. The birds searched for dry land and when the birds did not return, Utnapishtim and Noah knew it was safe to abandon their vessels. Noah and Utnapishtim both performed sacrificial ceremonies and their gods blessed them after the