Atrahasis and the Flood
Adapted from the ancient Babylonian story by Rev. Sunshine J. Wolfe
May 2014
Once upon a time in the land of Mesopotamia, there lived a community of Babylonians. The Babylonians believed in many Gods and Goddesses who helped them live their lives and taught them to use tools and fire. To share the work, each human family had their own God to pray to. The Gods and Goddesses were pleased until the number of people became bothersome.
Enlil was upset with how loud the growing number of humans had become. He grew restless at their racket. He addressed the great gods, saying “The noise of mankind has become too much! I am losing sleep over their racket!” The Gods decided that it would be best to reduce how many people there were, so they sent a great plague onto the people.
Now, Atrahasis had the ear of his personal God, Enki. He went to Enki and asked for guidance. Enki suggested that the people stop praying to their personal Gods and Goddesses and instead shower the God Namtar with prayer and gifts. Namtar was so shamed by this extra attention that he waved his hand and the plague went away. The people, Gods, and Goddesses went on peacefully for 1200 years.
However, Enlil grew weary again of the noise. “How am I supposed to get some sleep around here?” So, he decided this time there should be a drought. No rain fell and the food began to die. Atrahasis, who somehow lived for 1200 years, went once again to Enki and again makes an offering to the God responsible for rain- Adad. Adad became so embarrassed from the attention of the people that he immediately released the rain. Again, peace reigned for 1200 years.
By this time, Enlil had had enough of the noise and the people spoiling his plans to quiet them down. So, he created a new plan so that the Goddesses and Gods resolve would not be so easily weakened. Enlil convinced all of the Gods and Goddesses to withhold everything the Earth has to offer. No rain fell, no food grew, and the people starved.
Now, the God Enki loved people and so, he decided to send fish to all of the people to eat. Enlil was furious- “All of the Gods and Goddesses agreed! You broke your word!” Enlil forced Enki to create a great flood to destroy all of the people. Enki reluctantly agreed, but he was unable to let all people die. He decided to speak to the walls of Atrahasis’ home so that he would not break his promise to Enlil by warning Atrahasis directly of the flood to come. He said, “Wall, listen to me! House, make sure you hear all my words! Dismantle yourself and build a boat. Put a roof on it so that sun and rain cannot get inside. Make it very strong with wood and tar.”
Atrahasis heard this command to his house and took his family to the water’s edge. He built the boat and put inside it his family and every type of animal. Adad began the storm with thunder and lightning and constant rain. However, the plan backfired because now the Gods and Goddesses no longer had clean water or food or their favorite human delicacies like beer. They decided to end the storm.
Once Atrahasis and his family landed on the earth, they made a delicious meal and offered it to the Gods and Goddesses who flocked around and ate until they were full. Enlil was angry with Enki for bending the rules, but ultimately agreed that bringing a rain was too harsh. The Gods, Godesses, and humans worked together to come up with a solution that would keep Enlil happy and allow humans to lively freely on the Earth. And, so they lived until the end of their days.
Enlil was upset with how loud the growing number of humans had become. He grew restless at their racket. He addressed the great gods, saying “The noise of mankind has become too much! I am losing sleep over their racket!” The Gods decided that it would be best to reduce how many people there were, so they sent a great plague onto the people.
Now, Atrahasis had the ear of his personal God, Enki. He went to Enki and asked for guidance. Enki suggested that the people stop praying to their personal Gods and Goddesses and instead shower the God Namtar with prayer and gifts. Namtar was so shamed by this extra attention that he waved his hand and the plague went away. The people, Gods, and Goddesses went on peacefully for 1200 years.
However, Enlil grew weary again of the noise. “How am I supposed to get some sleep around here?” So, he decided this time there should be a drought. No rain fell and the food began to die. Atrahasis, who somehow lived for 1200 years, went once again to Enki and again makes an offering to the God responsible for rain- Adad. Adad became so embarrassed from the attention of the people that he immediately released the rain. Again, peace reigned for 1200 years.
By this time, Enlil had had enough of the noise and the people spoiling his plans to quiet them down. So, he created a new plan so that the Goddesses and Gods resolve would not be so easily weakened. Enlil convinced all of the Gods and Goddesses to withhold everything the Earth has to offer. No rain fell, no food grew, and the people starved.
Now, the God Enki loved people and so, he decided to send fish to all of the people to eat. Enlil was furious- “All of the Gods and Goddesses agreed! You broke your word!” Enlil forced Enki to create a great flood to destroy all of the people. Enki reluctantly agreed, but he was unable to let all people die. He decided to speak to the walls of Atrahasis’ home so that he would not break his promise to Enlil by warning Atrahasis directly of the flood to come. He said, “Wall, listen to me! House, make sure you hear all my words! Dismantle yourself and build a boat. Put a roof on it so that sun and rain cannot get inside. Make it very strong with wood and tar.”
Atrahasis heard this command to his house and took his family to the water’s edge. He built the boat and put inside it his family and every type of animal. Adad began the storm with thunder and lightning and constant rain. However, the plan backfired because now the Gods and Goddesses no longer had clean water or food or their favorite human delicacies like beer. They decided to end the storm.
Once Atrahasis and his family landed on the earth, they made a delicious meal and offered it to the Gods and Goddesses who flocked around and ate until they were full. Enlil was angry with Enki for bending the rules, but ultimately agreed that bringing a rain was too harsh. The Gods, Godesses, and humans worked together to come up with a solution that would keep Enlil happy and allow humans to lively freely on the Earth. And, so they lived until the end of their days.