Eridu Genesis | The Sumerian Epic of Creation

Introduction

This production is brought to you by the World History Encyclopedia and The Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by D.W. Draffin, the Sumerian flood story, also known as the Eridu Genesis, is the oldest Mesopotamian text relating the tale of the great flood. This story appears in later works such as the Atrahasis (17th century BCE), the Epic of Gilgamesh (circa 2150 to 1400 BCE), and famously in the story of Noah and his Ark from the biblical Book of Genesis (circa 1450 BCE). The story is dated to circa 2300 BCE in its written form, but is thought to be much older, preserved by oral tradition until committed to writing.

The extant work is badly damaged with significant lines missing but can still be read and understood. Scholars rely on later Akkadian-Babylonian Atrahasis, which tells the same tale to fill in the blanks of missing text from the broken tablet. The story likely influenced the Egyptian flood story known as the Book of the Heavenly Cow, dated to the First Intermediate Period of Egypt (2181 to 2040 BCE).

The story was first discovered in 1893 CE during widespread expeditions and excavations throughout Mesopotamia, funded by western institutions. The good man chosen to survive the flood and preserve life on earth is the priest-king Ziusudra of the city of Shuruppak, meaning "Life of Long Days." This figure also appears as Atrahasis in the later work that bears his name, as Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and as Noah in the Book of Genesis.

Expeditions and Discovery

In the 19th century CE, western institutions funded expeditions to Mesopotamia in hopes of finding physical evidence to corroborate the historicity of biblical narratives. The century saw critical readings of the Bible, questioning long-held beliefs regarding its divine origin and supposed infallibility. This age of skepticism saw the publication of works like Darwin's "Origin of Species" in 1859 CE and Nietzsche's "The Gay Science" in 1882 CE.

Prior to the rise of secular skepticism, the Bible was considered the oldest book in the world, completely original and of divine origin. Expeditions sent to Mesopotamia were supposed to find evidence supporting this view but found the exact opposite. Cuneiform tablets deciphered from the mid-19th century CE onwards challenged the traditional view of the Bible by containing stories, motifs, and symbols that appeared in biblical narratives and predated them. Among these was the Sumerian flood story, known by people of the time as Noah's Ark.

The damaged tablet was discovered in the ruins of the ancient city of Nippur by an expedition funded by the University of Pennsylvania in 1893 CE. It remained untranslated until 1912 CE when German Assyriologist Arno Poebel deciphered it. The existence of a pre-biblical account of Noah's flood suggested to some that the traditional interpretation of the Bible needed to be rethought.

The British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley challenged the view that the Mesopotamian account corroborated the biblical story. His excavations in the ruins of ancient Ur in the 1920s CE determined that significant flooding had been a local, not global, event. Scholars like Stephanie Dalley commented that no flood deposits are found in third millennium strata, challenging Archbishop Ussher’s date for the flood of 2349 BCE.

Summary

The Sumerian flood story begins with the creation of the world, the black-headed people (the Sumerians), and the animals. The Sumerian gods Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursag undertake the act of creation and decree the establishment of cities, beginning with Eridu, considered the oldest city in the world. Each city is given to a god to oversee, establishing the tradition of every city having its patron deity.

The gods An and Enlil decide to destroy humanity with a great flood. The reason for this is detailed in the later Atrahasis, where humans become too numerous and loud, disturbing Enlil's rest. Enlil sends drought, plague, and famine to decrease the population, but each time, Enki, god of wisdom and a friend of humanity, tells people how to reverse Enlil's plagues.

The central character, Ziusudra, a king, and priest of Shuruppak, is warned by Enki through a wall since Enki cannot interfere directly due to his oath not to prevent the flood. Ziusudra constructs a large boat, filling it with animals and the seed of mankind. The flood rages for seven days and seven nights until Utu, the sun god, appears. Ziusudra makes a hole in the boat, and Utu enters in the form of the sun’s rays.

Ziusudra makes a sacrifice, and the gods repent their decision, grateful for the preservation of their creations. Ziusudra is granted eternal life in the paradise of Dilmun.

Text

The text comes from "The Literature of Ancient Sumer." It opens by referencing the gods' decision to stop annihilating their creatures and return people to their dwelling grounds. The narrative then proceeds to the creation and establishment of cities, each overseen by a god with corresponding divine rituals.

A series of lines are missing that explain why the gods decide to destroy humanity. Another section details Enki's warnings to Ziusudra through a wall, leading to the creation of a large boat and the preservation of life during the flood. The concluding lines narrate the gods' gratitude towards Ziusudra and the granting of eternal life in Dilmun.

Conclusion

The Sumerian flood story is considered the first written account of the popular myth of a worldwide flood, suggesting widespread resonance with ancient audiences. Modern scholars suggest that the story traveled through trade, adapting to local cultures along the way. This first story may or may not have been the Sumerian flood story. Many scholars, including Stephanie Dalley, believe it was.

The story emphasized paying attention to divine will in daily life and suggested that catastrophic events were understandable as manifestations of divine displeasure. The narrative served to encourage adherence to religious and cultural precepts to maintain divine goodwill.

Keywords

Sumerian flood story
Eridu Genesis
Mesopotamia
Ziusudra
Ancient creation myth
Biblical narratives
Cuneiform tablets
Archaeological discoveries
Divine will

FAQ

Q: What is the Sumerian flood story also known as?

The Sumerian flood story is also known as the Eridu Genesis.

Q: When was the Sumerian flood story written?

The story is dated to circa 2300 BCE in its written form but is thought to be much older.

Q: Who discovers the Sumerian flood story tablet?

The tablet was discovered in 1893 CE by an expedition funded by the University of Pennsylvania.

Q: What other famous flood stories were influenced by the Sumerian flood story?

Notable flood stories influenced by the Sumerian flood story include the Atrahasis, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the biblical story of Noah's Ark.

Q: What archaeologist argued that the Sumerian flood event was local, not global?

British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley argued that the flood was a local event.

Q: What central message did the Sumerian flood story convey to its audience?

The story encouraged adhering to religious and cultural precepts to maintain the goodwill of a deity or deities.