Gilgamesh the Biblical Flood and Essay

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It is obvious that there had been little materials available for the two characters to use at the time in order for them to glue their boats.

The fact that Noah and Utnapishtim take their families and their livestock to their boats with them is not surprising, since it is the first thing that a person in their position would be expected to do in case of a flood. Noah proves to be gentler than Utnapishtim, as he does not want his neighbors to perish as a result of the flood. The Babylonian character apparently is more practical, as he also takes a pilot and several skilled workers on his boat.

In spite of the fact that Noah and Utnapishtim have their boats rest on top of mountains at the ending of the flood, the two boats do not rest on top of the same mountain. While the Biblical Flood refers to Noah's ark as having remained on top of Mount Ararat, the Epic of Gilgamesh has Utnapishtim's boat rest on top of Mount Nisir.

Another curious similarity between the two accounts is that the men on the boats release birds in order for them to find land. Even with that, different birds are being sent, since whereas Utnapishtim sends a dove, a swallow, and a raven (in that exact succession), Noah sends a raven first and, then, a dove twice.

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Most people might find the last two similarities to be inquisitive, as it is interesting how both boats have remained on top of mountains. Also it would not be reasonable for several people to come across the concept of releasing birds in order for them to lead them to land.

Besides of the fact that the Biblical Flood is much more elaborate than the one present in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Noah is also submitted to a much longer suffering than Utnapishtim, as the Biblical Flood lasts for 370 days, while the Gilgamesh flood lasts for only 14 days.

The Gods present in the Epic of Gilgamesh prove to have a more humane side, as they feel sorry for having provoked the deaths of almost all of the people. In contrast, Noah's God does not feel any regret for the deaths that He has caused. In the end, God states that he will never provoke a flood of such proportions and advises Noah and his family to procreate with the purpose of repopulating earth. A quarrel begins between the gods from the Epic of Gilgamesh, and, eventually, Gods Ea and Mami create 14 human beings so as to repopulate Earth.

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