Flood Myth Of The Flood, And The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The story of the flood is one of the myths known to many across cultures and religions, and to this day people have been fascinated by the story of this flood, which destroyed entire civilizations and left only a select few to rebuild the world. Among the most famous, "Genesis 6-9" (Noah and the Flood), "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (Tablet XI), and the Babylonian flood myth of "Atrahasis" are the objects of this comparative analysis. Despite their different origins and time series, these stories share a common theme of devastating floods and their aftermath, providing insights into the human understanding of nature and God. Specifically, it will analyze the depiction of the flood, the reasons, and responsibilities behind it, who was saved and drowned,

In the book of "Genesis," the flood is unequivocally attributed to God, who is depicted as the ultimate arbiter of justice and punishment. According to the text, "And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7), indicating that God's decision to cause the flood is an act of divine will, intended to purify the world of human wickedness. However, in "The Epic of Gilgamesh," the question of responsibility is more complex, as the gods are ultimately responsible for the flood, but their decision to cause it is influenced by their interaction with human beings. Gilgamesh in the story says that "No sooner had sleep spilled itself over me, than forthwith you touched me and made me awake!" (Gilgamesh XI.233), leading the gods to destroy humanity. Nevertheless, the specific reasons for their decision are not made explicit, leaving the possibility that the gods' motives are arbitrary or irrational. Finally, in "Atrahasis," responsibility for the flood is distributed among the gods, who are portrayed as engaging in a series of power struggles and political maneuverings. According to the text, "Enki instructed him to destroy his reed house, build a boat with the reeds and 'spurn property and save life'" (91). Enki, one of the gods, is presented as a hero who

To compare and analyze the flood depictions, reasons behind it, and human response to the flood in three different flood stories from difference culture traditions, it examined “Genesis,” “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” and “Atrahasis.” Through this analysis, several broader conclusions can be drawn about the genre of flood stories. Flood stories exist because they speak to universal human experiences and concerns, such as the cycle of life and death, the nature of morality, and the relationship between humans and the divine. Flood stories are important because they offer insights into the cultural and beliefs of different societies, and they reflect our fundamental human need to make sense of the world around people. By studying flood stories, people can learn about the diverse ways in which humans have grappled with questions about the meaning of life and our place within the world. Flood stories tell people a great deal about human and the world. They are both literal and symbolic, offering a complex portrait of the human experience. Flood stories attempt to answer questions about morality, justice, and the relationship between humans, gods, and nature. These will provide powerful narratives about destruction and rebirth, punishment and mercy, and the consequences of human wrongdoing. By exploring these themes, flood stories can help people better