Did the Roman Empire Fall or Was It Pushed

Comparison of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the flood in the bible

Comparison of the Flood in the Bible and the Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh

In this essay I will compare the similarities and differences between the flood in the bible and the flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh. I will also discuss what would be expected in any flood account; and what would be expected if the flood account in the bible were a copy of Gilgamesh. I will also discuss why scholars of today might attempt to say that the Sumerian account is a counterfeit of the biblical one. Lastly I will give my opinion for the existence of multiple ancient flood accounts.

The Epic of Gilgamesh was written on stone tablets. It comes to us from Ancient Sumeria and was originally written on 12 clay tablets in cuneiform script. The tablets are about the adventures of Gilgamesh who was an historical king of Uruk in Babylonia and the flood that took place which is often compared to the flood in the bible in Genesis. Gilgamesh was two thirds god and one third human. At that point in time he was considered the greatest king on earth and the strongest human that ever existed. He was also young and was very harsh on all his people. The sky-god Anu because Gilgamesh was very hard on his people created a wild man named, Enkidu to challenge Gilgamesh in hopes of having him take over his empire or possibly convince Gilgamesh to be nicer towards his people. Gilgamesh and Enkidu eventually crossed paths physically but the battle was determined to be a draw between the two. They eventually had mutual respect for one another and became good friends. The tablets touch on different battles that took place such as Gilgamesh and Enkidu killing Humbaba in the Cedar forest and Gilgamesh and Enkidu killing the all powerful Bull of Heaven. The tablets also discussed dreams that Gilgamesh and Enkidu had. Finally the last tablet discusses the flood that was laid upon the city and all mankind because of Man's sins.

In the biblical version of the flood (Noah's Ark), god punished the earth because of man's wickedness, his sins, and his evil actions and thoughts. He was faithful to Noah and spared him his life because Noah walked with god all the days of his life. Noah tried to warn all the people that crossed his path but none listened. They all thought he was crazy, but Noah remained faithful to include building the boat that god commanded him to do.

As I read both accounts of the flood here are the similarities and differences that I came up with in my research:

Similarities/Differences of Genesis and Gilgamesh

Genesis Gilgamesh

Extent of flood Global Global

Reason Man's wickedness Man's sins

Intended for All mankind One city and all mankind

Sender of message Yahweh Assembly of God

Name of hero in flood Noah Utnapishtim

Hero's character honest and faithful honest and faithful

How message was sent Direct from god In a dream

Ordered to build a boat Yes Yes

Height of boat Three Stories Seven stories

Compartments Many Many

Dimension /shape Like a box Like a cube

Genesis Gilgamesh

Doors/Windows One