Differences Between the Epic of Gilgamesh and The Bible

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff

The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible are two pieces of literature that have been studied for their differences and similarities for many years. While there are many aspects to consider, this blog post will focus on the differences between the heroes of each story. In particular, it will explore how Gilgamesh is portrayed as a selfish and egotistical character, while the biblical hero, Moses, is known for his selfless acts.

There are many similarities and differences between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key similarities and differences. One of the most striking similarities is that both texts describe a great flood. However, there are also significant differences. For example, while the Bible tells the story of Noah’s Ark, the Epic of Gilgamesh does not mention a flood at all. We will explore other similarities and differences in this blog post. Stay tuned.

Comparison between Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible

Parameters of ComparisonEpic of GilgameshBible
Bookthe Epic of Gilgamesh is one bookThe Bible is a collection of 66 books
LanguageThe Epic of Gilgamesh was written in the Akkadian language onlyThe Bible was written in three languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
StorylineEpic of Gilgamesh has many different characters and storylines.  The Bible has a linear storyline with one protagonist
KingThe Epic of Gilgamesh is about the Babylonian king, GilgameshThe Bible is a collection of books written by different authors
TimeThe Epic of Gilgamesh was originally written on clay tabletsBible was first compiled into one book around 400 AD  

What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian poem that is often considered the earliest surviving great work of literature. The epic tells the story of King Gilgamesh, who ruled over Uruk in Sumer during 2700-2500 BCE (Before Common Era). Its main themes are mortality and how one should live their life to make it most memorable. The epic also shows us what people thought about death 2500 years ago.

Gilgamesh is one of the oldest pieces of literature in the world. The epic poem was written by an unknown author, but based on archaeological findings it can be dated back to 2100 BC. It was discovered by Austen Henry Layard and has since been translated into various languages including English. There are many themes explored throughout the story, but one of the most prominent is man’s quest for immortality or eternal life. This quest drives Gilgamesh to do great deeds so that he may earn his place among gods in Heaven after death.

The Epic of Gilgamesh tells a story about how humanity came to value material things over spiritual ones and how this eventually led to their downfall as these material objects were no longer able to satisfy them or give them lasting happiness. Gilgamesh was a powerful and selfish king who only thought about himself.

Differences Between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible

What is Bible?

The Bible is the religious text sacred to Christians and Judaism. It is a collection of sixty-six books, divided into two main sections: the Old Testament, consisting of texts originally written in Hebrew, and the New Testament, containing texts originally written in Greek. While its contents may be interpreted in different ways by different people, the Bible has been a central text for millennia and plays an important role in many religious traditions.

The Bible is one of the most popular books in the world. But what is it, exactly? The Bible is a collection of religious texts that originated from Judaism and Christianity. It includes scriptures from both religions, as well as other writings that were considered to be sacred by early Christians. The Bible has been translated into over 2,000 languages, and it continues to be a major source of inspiration for people around the world.

Differences Between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible

10 Differences Between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible

1. The Bible is written in an ancient form of Hebrew, while the Epic of Gilgamesh was originally written in cuneiform.

2. The Bible has a linear storyline with one protagonist, while the Epic of Gilgamesh has many different characters and storylines.

3. There are many parallels between the two texts – for example, both stories have flood narratives that tell how humans were saved from destruction by being given instructions on how to live properly.

4. Both texts contain accounts of creation myths that detail why it is evil or death in the world. 

5. Many scholars believe that parts of the Bible may have been copied from older Mesopotamian texts like those found in the Epic of Gilgamesh. 

6. One difference between these texts is their beliefs about who created humanity – while some versions of the Bible say it was God who created man, other versions say it was the man himself who made his image and likeness through divine power.

7. The Epic of Gilgamesh is about the Babylonian king, Gilgamesh, and his exploits in life while the Bible is a collection of books written by different authors.

8. The Epic of Gilgamesh was originally written on clay tablets whereas the Bible was first compiled into one book around 400 AD.

9. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are no stories about Jesus Christ or any mention of him. 

10. There are many more similarities between the two than differences (both include gods).

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Epic of Gilgamesh

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest written story in history.

2. It was originally written on 12 clay tablets, which were found by archaeologists at Nineveh in 1853-1872.

3. This literary work contains many parallels to other stories and myths that are known today, including the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark.

4. One of these parallels includes a flood that destroys all living things except for one man and his family who manage to build an ark – just like Noah did with his family.

5. Another parallel can be seen when Gilgamesh encounters Utnapishtim after he has survived the great flood because he had built an ark before it happened. 

6. This story also talks about how humans have become too arrogant and greedy, so they angered Enlil (a god) who then sent a flood to destroy them all.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Bible

1. The Bible is the most-translated book in the world. 

2. There are over 2,000 verses about money and possessions.

3. In Hebrew, Jesus’ name means “God saves”. 

4. The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book. 

5. The word “Bible” comes from a Greek word meaning “books” or “the books”. 

6. It was written on three different continents by 40 different writers in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) over 1,500 years.

Conclusion

The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible are both important texts that have been used to shape culture. They also share many similarities, such as a flood story and an emphasis on immortality. However, there is one key difference: whereas the Bible tells stories about human beings interacting with God, The Epic of Gilgamesh focuses more on humans dealing with different gods. This means that while they may be similar in some ways, we can see how these two writing would appeal differently to people depending on their beliefs or background.

References:

Resource 01: https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/
Resource 02: https://www.bible.com/

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