Gilgamesh was an Akkadian hero whose exploits are discussed in the poem, Epic of Gilgamesh. He recognized as a demigod with superhuman strength and capabilities. He uses his strength to build the city walls of Uruk that was critical in defending his people. The hero would then travel to meet the sage Utnapishtim after the death of his friend Enkidu. According to scholars it is possible that Gilgamesh is a historical figure due to the existence of numerous individuals who were associated with him being confirmed. On the other hand, Achilles was Greek Hero from the Trojan War. He is discussed extensively in the poem Iliad by Homer. He was the son of Nereid Thetis and Peleus who were both immortal. In this regard, it is evident that the character was also immortal except for a slight weakness, his heels. His greatest achievement was slaying the Trojan War hero Hector, outside the gates of Troy.
The two figures are extensively discussed in their specific cultures as heroes who went beyond expectation to achieve high levels of success. However, it is the Akkadian hero who is seen as the more noble of the two. It is evident that despite his superhuman strength he did not use it to harm others, but instead used it to protect the lives of his people. Achilles is depicted to have gone on a killing spree during the Trojan War. He attacked the cattle of Aeneas, and killed young innocent children like Tenes, the son of Apollo along with Troilus, Priam’s son. In this case, it also Gilgamesh who grows more as a character as his journey to meet Utnapishtim is intended to make him a wiser leader of the people. He wishes not to rule in physical strength, but to become equally strong in his decision-making. This will make him more humane than Achilles who kills the children of his enemy to prevent them from revenging the deaths of their parents.
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