Parallels Between the Flood of Gilgamesh and Genesis
             Obvious relationships definitely exist between the two flood accounts of Gilgamesh and Genesis. Both stories begin by introducing the hero, Utnapishtim and Noah; they were considered righteous and true followers of their God. Instructed by their God or Gods to build a ship so that they may survive a flood that will destroy all mankind. The men obeyed their God or Gods by building a huge ship that will save them, their family and all species of animals. The flood includes both rain and water from the surface that covered the highest mountaintop. Utnapishtim and Noah's boat came to rest on a similar mountain; and birds were released to test and see if the waters had receded. Finally, out of the boat, their God or Gods reward both men. Even though there may be so many similarities that exist between the two stories, there are some very destined differences in comparing both sides (Comparison of the Babylonian and Noahic Flood Stories).
             Utnapishtim was chosen to survive the great flood because he was a true follower of the Gods, and had great knowledge and wisdom (Lorey). God Ea instructed him in a dream, to build a boat. God Enlil's reason for the flood, as he explained to the Gods in council, was: "the uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the babel." (Sanders, 41). God chose Noah because he was the only man on earth who found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6). God directly went to Noah and warned him of the flood. Due to the sinful and corrupt actions of mankind everything was to be destroyed. The flood in both stories represents God's and the Gods wrath, the flood is the consequence mankind suffers for their actions.
             They each approached their journey by building a large boat. The boat dimensions and styles are quite different. Utnapishtim's boat is a cube, "The ground-space was...