In both The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Bible there are catastrophic stories that compare and contrast in several significant ways. A flood takes place in both stories, which destroys most of mankind. These floods are used as symbols. They represent rebirth and a new beginning for mankind. In each of these stories the flooding comes as a result of the wrath of God or the gods.
             In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the gods decide to destroy mankind by flooding earth for six days and six nights. Utmapishtim is chosen to build a boat in order to restart mankind after the flood. In " The Bible," God decides that there was too much evil in the world and he decides to flood the Earth for forty days and forty nights. God chooses Noah to build an ark, save two of each type of animal, and to also restart mankind after the flood.
             In both stories, mankind are exterminated because their actions become unpleasing and things are getting too chaotic. In Gilgamesh, the god Enlil's reason for wanting to destroy man is "the uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason the babel." (World Masterpieces pg 37) The other gods agreed with this and supported Enlil's wishes. In the Bible, God said "And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die." (Genesis 6-9 pg 57) God does this because of the wickedness that takes over the earth.
             In both stories, God or the gods show mercy and allow those who are worthy to survive. Utmapishtim is chosen to survive the great flood because he is a true worshipper of the god Ea, who warns him about the flood. Noah is the only man on Earth who finds grace in the eyes of God. He is the only man who God finds to be good at heart. Because for this God comes to warn him and tells him to build an ark. Both Noah and Utmapishti
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