In a recent post we looked at the similarities between the creation account found in Genesis 1 and the Akkadian legend of Enuma Elish. We saw that there were similarities in the way physical things are described but great differences in the way that God or gods are described. Here we look at similarities and differences between the flood account in Genesis 6-8 and the flood account in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
In the epic of Gilgamesh a brilliant king Gilgamesh is seeking immortality and goes to seek Utnapishtim for help. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh of his adventures. He has built an ark, brought animals onto it. The waters flooded everywhere. When the waters went down he landed on a mountain. He sent out a dove a raven and one did not come back. So there are lots of similarities with the account of Noah.
Differences. The gods are not in control. Some of them are scared of getting drowned by the flood. The flood itself was caused because the gods were angry that human beings were too noisy on earth. The gods are immoral and fight.