The Epic of Gilgamesh names its flood survivor Utnapishtim, a figure often compared with Noah.
In the flood story within the Epic of Gilgamesh, the god Ea warns Utnapishtim to build a boat and preserve life from a coming catastrophe. Utnapishtim survives with his family, craftsmen, and animals, then releases birds to test whether the waters have receded.
The comparison with Noah is based on shared motifs, including divine warning, a large vessel, a flood, preserved life, birds, and a landing after the waters fall. The stories are not identical, however: their characters, divine settings, measurements, and endings differ.
The Epic of Gilgamesh survives in Akkadian cuneiform tablets and is associated with ancient Mesopotamia. Its flood account is especially prominent in Tablet XI, where Utnapishtim recounts the event to Gilgamesh.