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Comparing The Epic Of Gilgamesh Motives Behind The Flood

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The Boats: The boat itself also serves as major point of comparison between the two accounts. Established historians recognize that the Ark’s dimensions, “assure optimum stability in riding out the coming flood waters” (Morris 34). They further conclude, “that the ark can easily carry two of each kind of land animal in less than half its capacity” (Morris 34). It is also important to note that while the ark is built of extreme proportions it also is able to withstand the severe weather conditions. On the contrary, Utnapishtim’s boat varies in design, taking the form of a colossal cube. Utnapishtim’s ark had “one full acre is her deck space, ten dozen cubits, the height of each of her sides, ten dozen cubits square, her outer dimensions”, but these dimension in no …show more content…

(find quote about gil. Boat) This is easily explainable if the account of Noah is the true story which has been tampered with, giving us the story of Gilgamesh. The scribes of the epic were unaware that the proportions of the vessel were already perfected by God. Only Noah’s Ark can survive the raging rainwater that will be required to flood the entire Earth. Due to this, Noah’s story can not be based on the flood of Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh Motives Behind the Flood: However, the most important opposing detail between the stories is the motivation behind the flood itself. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the assembly of the gods comes together to evoke a flood that is to destroy all of mankind. While it is clear that Enlil is the central drive behind the deluge, it is not evident of his full intentions behind the catastrophe. The

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