The existence of heroes is inherent to all the cultures around world. To cite two of the many would be Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia and Odysseus from Greek culture. The similarities and dissimilarities are as follows: To begin with, they were both kings. Gilgamesh ruled over Uruk on the banks of Euphrates river, while Odysseus over the Greek island of Ithaca. The Epic of Gilgamesh has been recorded in the tablets while the source of Odysseus's endeavors is mainly Odyssey in addition to a few other literary sources. The opening line of Odyssey hints at the very nature of its protagonist when Homer writes, "Oh Goddess of Inspiration, help me sing of wily Odysseus, that master of schemes!" It is his cunningness along with brilliance as warrior that resulted in Greeks winning the Trojan War and later reaching home in spite of all the odds. As is famously known now, Greek soldiers hid themselves in the giant wooden horse to gain access into the fortress of the enemy to overturn the outcome of ten year long war. As for Gilgamesh, he was in initial years iron fisted and brutal in dealing with his subjects. It was not before the Gods created a counterforce in Enkidu that the violent king transformed himself. This shows that ancient heroes were not completely just and did not depend on the moral compass to guide their actions. Both of them were favored by Gods at various stages of their lives. While their role in creating Enkidu brought the change in Gilgamesh, we also see Odysseus was constantly favored by Goddess Athena. The recurring themes in the text of Gilgamesh are the invasion of Cedar forests along with Enkidu and the fight with the demon Humbaba, rejecting the Goddess Ishtar, Gilgamesh's mourning of Enkidu's death, the speech of Goddess Siduri, travel to end of the earth to find meaning of life. Similarly, the themes which find mention in Odysseus' context are the Trojan war, the way back to Ithaca involving the fight with Cyclops Polyp