Gilgamesh and Genesis

The differences between the epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible's Genesis are numerous, but the similiar theme allow for comparisons between the two. While the Bible uses the theme of the flood as a punishment in order to cleanse the sinning humanity, the epic of Gilgamesh is decidedly more vague on this point -- the exact reasons for instigating the flood seems to be not the wronging of humanity, but instead on a whim of the gods. The differences between the two could possibly indicate differences in ideologys between the two cultures, whereas the western, Christian world holds themselves accountable for all acts that occur to them; the middle eastern kingdom of Sumer however blames acts of wonton destruction on the gods and not their actions.

An interesting sidenote is the fact that the epic of Gilgamesh also utilizes a dove in order to discover land, but unlike in the Bible the bird is unsuccessful, instead the raven discovers the end of the flood. The raven is often characterized as a dark and mysterious bird, usually indicating a bad omen. Again, this could indicate differences between the two cultures; the importance of peace in the christian world while the Sumerian lands trumped the unexpected and dealing with the unknown.