Comparison of the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis
Running Head: COMPARISON OF THE GILGAMESH EPIC AND GENESIS
Comparison of the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis
Danielle E. Burritt
Robert Wesleyan College
In comparison of the Hebrew story of Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are numerous similarities but also renowned differences. Among the similarities and difference, readers have used the comparison between the two stories and character to formed a theory of which story inspired the other.
In similarity of the two stories/characters found in Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, both stories are forms of epics. An epic is a long poem or story that is narrating the deeds and the adventures of a hero or legendary figures. Both stories surround a legendary figure and the deeds/adventures they encountered. A significant relation of the two stories was, they both had a God or God(s) which is the narrator of the stories. Another connection between the two stories was when Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, sinned, was ashamed of being naked, and was excluded for the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-23). Inkidu was tempted by a women, slept with her, was ashamed of being naked, and the wild beast him (pg3&4, para 1-6). The flood is a major connection between and the Hebrew story and the Epic of Gilgamesh. The decision to destroy mankind is a similarity between the stories. God saw wickedness and evil in mankind and decided to destroy them (Genesis 6:5-7). In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Gods saw “the uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible” and agreed to exterminate mankind (pg 50, para 1). Noah and Ut-Napishtism were advised to build a boat to escape a flood and told to save himself, his family, and sample of all species (Genesis6:9-22)(pg 50&51 para 2&1). In both of the stories the boat rest on a mountain and a bird was released to determine if the waters receded (Genesis 8:7-12) (pg53, para 2). In both stories, after the waters receded and dried up
Comparison of the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis
Danielle E. Burritt
Robert Wesleyan College
In comparison of the Hebrew story of Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are numerous similarities but also renowned differences. Among the similarities and difference, readers have used the comparison between the two stories and character to formed a theory of which story inspired the other.
In similarity of the two stories/characters found in Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, both stories are forms of epics. An epic is a long poem or story that is narrating the deeds and the adventures of a hero or legendary figures. Both stories surround a legendary figure and the deeds/adventures they encountered. A significant relation of the two stories was, they both had a God or God(s) which is the narrator of the stories. Another connection between the two stories was when Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, sinned, was ashamed of being naked, and was excluded for the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-23). Inkidu was tempted by a women, slept with her, was ashamed of being naked, and the wild beast him (pg3&4, para 1-6). The flood is a major connection between and the Hebrew story and the Epic of Gilgamesh. The decision to destroy mankind is a similarity between the stories. God saw wickedness and evil in mankind and decided to destroy them (Genesis 6:5-7). In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Gods saw “the uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible” and agreed to exterminate mankind (pg 50, para 1). Noah and Ut-Napishtism were advised to build a boat to escape a flood and told to save himself, his family, and sample of all species (Genesis6:9-22)(pg 50&51 para 2&1). In both of the stories the boat rest on a mountain and a bird was released to determine if the waters receded (Genesis 8:7-12) (pg53, para 2). In both stories, after the waters receded and dried up