Compare and Contrast Between the Flood in Gilgamesh and the Old Testament
Outline Thesis: The flood stories in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis have many points of agreement, suggesting that they are somehow connected. Yet, there are also many differences. This term paper will identify similarities and differences in both.
I. Introduction
II. Gilgamesh
a. What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?
b. When was it written?
c. What is it about?
d. Describe the beliefs of the people.
III. The Old Testament
a. When was it written?
b. Describe the flood?
IV. Comparison of the Two
a. Which came first?
b. Describe the similarities.
V. Summary
VI. Works Cited
Abstract This term paper compares the flood story in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible and the flood story in Gilgamesh. It identifies links between the ancient Sumerian epic and the account of Noah in Genesis as well as similarities between the two. Similarities include the use of an arc and sacrifices made after the floods to the respective gods. While conducting the research for this paper, I reviewed a total of five books. The first was our current textbook, The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume A. I naturally used this textbook since it was readily available and in my personal library. My father has an extensive religious library in his home so I sought his advice on where to begin. He offered two books he felt would be helpful. The first was Old Testament Commentary by H. C. Alleman and E. E. Flack. The second was The New Harper's Bible Dictionary by M. Miller and J. Miller.
After reading the aforementioned books, I took a trip to the public library and to search for additional reference material. There I found two books, which I found to be useful. The first was The Epic of Gilgamesh edited by N.K. Sanders. The second was Introduction to the Old Testament by J. West.
Comparison of Floods in Gilgamesh and Genesis The flood story recurs in many ancient civilizations, though the nature of the story may be very different in some
I. Introduction
II. Gilgamesh
a. What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?
b. When was it written?
c. What is it about?
d. Describe the beliefs of the people.
III. The Old Testament
a. When was it written?
b. Describe the flood?
IV. Comparison of the Two
a. Which came first?
b. Describe the similarities.
V. Summary
VI. Works Cited
Abstract This term paper compares the flood story in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible and the flood story in Gilgamesh. It identifies links between the ancient Sumerian epic and the account of Noah in Genesis as well as similarities between the two. Similarities include the use of an arc and sacrifices made after the floods to the respective gods. While conducting the research for this paper, I reviewed a total of five books. The first was our current textbook, The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume A. I naturally used this textbook since it was readily available and in my personal library. My father has an extensive religious library in his home so I sought his advice on where to begin. He offered two books he felt would be helpful. The first was Old Testament Commentary by H. C. Alleman and E. E. Flack. The second was The New Harper's Bible Dictionary by M. Miller and J. Miller.
After reading the aforementioned books, I took a trip to the public library and to search for additional reference material. There I found two books, which I found to be useful. The first was The Epic of Gilgamesh edited by N.K. Sanders. The second was Introduction to the Old Testament by J. West.
Comparison of Floods in Gilgamesh and Genesis The flood story recurs in many ancient civilizations, though the nature of the story may be very different in some
Cited: Alleman, H.C. and E.E. Flack. Old Testament Commentary. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1948. Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume A. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002. Miller, Madeleine S. and J. Lane Miller. The New Harper 's Bible Dictionary. New York: Harper & Row, 1973. Sandars, N.K. (ed.). The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Penguin, 1972. West, James King. Introduction to the Old Testament. New York: Macmillan, 1981.