A Comparison of Noah's Ark and Gilgamesh

Most ancient civilizations have a legend that speaks of a great flood that covered the whole Earth. The civilizations include places as the Middle East, India, China, Australia, southern Asia, the islands of the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. ("Creation/Flood") With so many stories in so many regions of the world, is it safe to say that perhaps these legends in fact really happened?

In recent scientific investigations, it has been discovered that floodwaters from the Persian gulf may have covered southern sections of the Mesopotamian valley. There are also many details between the biblical and other Near Eastern flood stories that are in agreement, such as the ark, the raven, and the dove. However, "there are fundamental differences in approach." (Plaut 56)

In Gilgamesh, the flood hero is elevated to immortal status and thereby is removed from human history. In the Bible, it is human sin that causes the Flood and Noah is saved so that he might begin the human voyage over again (Plaut 56).

The story of Noah and the Ark, as recounted in Genesis, is the most famous flood story in Western Society. "But the flood legend on which the story of Noah is based had its origins among the peoples of ancient Mesopotamia, in the epic Gilgamesh." ("Creation/Flood")

"Gilgamesh was an historical king of Uruk in Babylonia, on the River Euphrates in modern Iraq; he lived about 2700 B.C." ("Gilgamesh"). Towards the end of the story, Gilgamesh discovers the secret of the flood and its survivor. ("Amorites")

In the beginning of the story, "Gilgamesh is the epitome of a bad ruler: arrogant, oppressive, and brutal" (Mack 11). The people of Uruk complained to the Sumerian Gods whose response was to create Enkidu. Enkidu was to act as Gilgamesh's counterpart, but although they tried to destroy each other at first their encounter resulted in a deep bond of friendship. (Mack 11)