Topic: Parallels between Gilgamesh and Genesis.
Looking at two different texts from different time periods and finding similarities in them can help bridge cultural lines. There are many identifiable parallels between the Mesopotamian epic Gilgamesh and the Biblical book of Genesis. By looking at these similarities we can further understand history as it relates to all people, not just religions. .
A major parallel that can be seen is between Adam, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu. God created Adam in his own image, and ordained man to dominate over all other living things. Gilgamesh is the same, with only a few slight differences. Instead of Gilgamesh being created in the image of the gods, he was created 1/3 man and 2/3 god. Also instead of being dominating over all things he was unequaled in human attributes. Even with these differences a parallel can be identified. Adam not only parallels Gilgamesh, but he also parallels Enkidu. Enkidu and Adam were both made from the earth. Enkidu was made from clay, and Adam from dust. Both men were well aquatinted with the animals and nature that surrounded them, until women came into their lives. The harlot sent to Enkidu plays a role very similar to Eve. When Enkidu lays with her and eats as a man he loses his wild innocence and becomes knowledgeable of the world. The same is true for Adam when he consumes the apple. He is tempted by Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and when he does his eyes are opened to the evil and good in the world.
A second parallel is the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible. The story reads that everyone spoke the same language and than man deicide to build a city. They started to build a tower that would reach to the heavens. However, God felt that since all men spoke the same language they were becoming too powerful and nothing would be impossible for them. So the Lord scattered them all over the earth and stopped the building of the city.
