The Flood of Genesis vs. Gilgamesh

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Connor Tucker Mrs. Hawkins English 102 October 16, 2012 The Flood of Genesis and Gilgamesh Many people know the famous story of the Genesis flood, but do they know how similar it is to the Gilgamesh flood story? It is particularly mind blowing how the main stories are so alike. The main theme is the biggest similarity between the two. They also differ greatly in the smaller details in the events that take place. In both stories, the number of days the events take place are different, but the same basic event takes place. The stories are very much the same, but when comparing the details within they are very different. The flood of Gilgamesh was written before 2000 B.C, while the flood of Genesis was written in 400 B.C., which was much later then the Gilgamesh flood. Biblical writers knew of the much older flood but revised it so that it fit with their own history and worldview. Despite the many similarities between the two stories, the differences are revealed in a number of different topics that distinguish the biblical version of the story from the ancient version. In both versions of the flood story something angers God, in the Bible, and the gods, in Gilgamesh. "The uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reasons of the babel" (Gilgamesh 12). The Gilgamesh reason seems very illogical. The Gods decide to destroy mankind because they are making too much noise. It seems that the gods didn't think over their decision wisely. These gods should be wiser in their decisions. They have the power to block out the sound? Right? One would think so, but obviously that was not the case. This is the first major difference between the two stories. In Genesis, there is a much more acceptable reason for God to eliminate mankind. The humans are so wicked and evil that, "It repented the Lord that he had made man on the

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