In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim receives immortality after surviving the great flood.
Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh that the gods granted him and his wife eternal life after he obeyed the divine command to build a boat and preserve living creatures. His exceptional status explains why Gilgamesh seeks him out: Gilgamesh wants to know whether he too can escape the human condition of death.
The episode closely parallels other Mesopotamian flood traditions, especially the story of Atrahasis. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, however, the flood survivor’s immortality becomes the basis for a direct lesson to Gilgamesh. Utnapishtim explains that death is part of the order assigned to humanity.
Utnapishtim’s gift is different from the plant that Gilgamesh later finds. The plant is supposed to restore youth, while Utnapishtim’s immortality is a permanent divine status. A serpent steals the plant before Gilgamesh can use it.