Comparing Heroes In Epic Of Gilgamesh And Homer's Iliad

Achilles and Gilgamesh were both recognized as heroes in their society as we see in Mesopotamian’s “Epic of Gilgamesh” and Homer’s “Iliad.” Achilles was gifted as a child with invulnerability and became an extreme warrior who conquered cities and became an iconic hero among his fellow Achaians. Gilgamesh was born “Two thirds god, one third human” he becomes an epic hero through the triumph of his battles. Both Gilgamesh and Achilles were born semi-divine and experience conflict with their immortality. In “The Epic of Gilgamesh” Gilgamesh says, “I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness” (Sandars, 10.61-72). Achilles was known to be cocky and Gilgamesh was known to be malevolent, but one commonality between them was that they both desired to obtain prominence from battle. Gilgamesh and Achilles were both heroes of their time, and their characters illustrated the ethics and nature of culture during that time.

Achilles and Gilgamesh both seek to find prestige and dignity through the action of battle, and both fear Death. Achilles is different from Gilgamesh because he questions war and the reason behind it. In Homer’s Iliad he asks, “But why must the Argives fight the Trojans” (Lines 336-337)? Gilgamesh

Both Gilgamesh and Achilles were both born with divine features and became iconic war heroes of their time. Achilles and Gilgamesh both lose close friends which leads to an undertaking of questioning immortality. They contrast in the manner they come to terms with it; Gilgamesh seeks immortality from the Gods, whereas Achilles comes to an understanding with the fact that everyone will eventually die. Their characters depicted Greek society by displaying how Greek’s valued strong relationships, the importance of love in their society, and the natural part of war in their