The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Ancient Mesopotamia, and many believe it to be one of the earliest recorded pieces literary fiction. Gilgamesh was the king of the city of Uruk, and ruled the city as two thirds god and one third human. Tablet XI is the second to last tablet in the Epic of Gilgamesh. This last tablet lays forth in great detail the story of a great flood sent by the gods on the lands around Mesopotamia.

The tablet began with Gilgamesh questioning the immortality and prestige of Utnapishtim, for after all Utnapishtim did not appear much different than Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh thought for a second about fighting Utnapishtim but could not and instead asked Utnapishtim why the gods had shown such favor towards him in making him and immortal as well. At the request of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim began the story of the Great Flood. During the time of Utnapishtim's kingship over Shurupakk, the goddess Ea came to him in a dream and warned Utnapishtim of an upcoming flood designed to wipe out the population of the earth. Just like the God of Israel in the story of Noah and the Ark, Ea instructs Utnapishtim to construct and ark and bring his family and animals. The hard rains fell and after many days Utnapishtim and his ark ran aground on a mountain and after three days of sending out birds, Utnapishtim was able to exit the ark. Lambs were sacrificed to the gods, and the gods came to meet Utnapishtim. After conferring with each other the gods decided that Utnapishtim should be made an immortal, and live at the source of the rivers.

After the tale of the flood Utnapishtim challenged Gilgamesh. If Gilgamesh was able to stay awake for seven days, then perhaps he too could defeat death and become an immortal. Gilgamesh sat against the wall, and immediately fell asleep. Gilgamesh awoke and found himself surrounded with seven loaves of bread, one for each day he slept. Mortified from realizing his failure Gilgamesh once again inquired from Utnapishtim as to how he could become an immortal. Utnapishtim told Gilgamesh of a plant at the bottom of the sea that held the secret to youth. Gilgamesh tied stones to his feet, and scoured the bottom of the sea for the plant. Upon finding the plant, Gilgamesh decided it would be best to test it on an old man to make sure it worked. Later that night, Gilgamesh bathed in a pond and left the plant on the ground. A snake wandered by and ate the plant and immediately shed its old skin. When Gilgamesh saw this he once again realized his failure. Disappointed at the though of staying a mortal, Gilgamesh returned to his city of Uruk, and praised its magnificence, strength, and beauty.

Thematically, The Epic of Gilgamesh was about man's struggle with death and mortality. This story spoke of man's innate desire to live eternally. Though Gilgamesh was given two chances at immortality, he failed, and was forced to continue life as a mortal. Interestingly enough, when Gilgamesh was confronted with the reality that he must remain a mortal he reverted back to praising his human accomplishments because he knows that these accomplishments will remain far longer than he did upon the earth.