Before Noah: The Story of Atrahasis and the Great Flood

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Most people know the story of Noah and the flood from the Bible. But before that, in ancient Mesopotamia around 1700 BCE, people told a similar story about a man named Atrahasis. 

Atrahasis’s story is one of the oldest known flood narratives in the world, and it provides important lessons about wisdom, obedience, and survival.


Who Was Atrahasis?

Atrahasis was considered a wise man who lived in a world where humans and gods coexisted. 

According to Mesopotamian texts, humans were created to serve the gods, but as time went, they became noisy, rebellious, and careless. Their behavior angered the gods, who decided to punish humanity with a great flood.

Unlike other humans, Atrahasis was favored by the gods for his wisdom and obedience. This made him the only survivor.


The Warning Before the Flood.

Atrahasis received a secret warning from Enki, the god of water and wisdom. Enki told him that a great flood was coming to destroy all humans. To survive, Atrahasis had to:

1. Build a boat large enough to hold his family.

2. Take food and animals to preserve life.

3. Follow instructions carefully, trusting the guidance of the gods.

Atrahasis obeyed without question. By making preparations, he ensured that his family survived the flood, while other humans perished.


The similarities between Atrahasis and the Biblical story of Noah:

  • Divine warning: Both were warned by a higher power about a catastrophic flood.

  • Preservation of life: Both saved their families and selected animals.

  • Survival of humanity: Both stories emphasize that only a few humans survived, highlighting obedience and faith.

The main difference is the Mesopotamian focus on human behavior. Atrahasis’s story shows that humans’ actions, noise, misbehavior, and disrespect, could anger the gods, leading to punishment.


Atrahasis’s story is not just a story of floods and survival, it is an inquiry into ancient human thought, morality, and the relationship between humans and the divine.

By studying Atrahasis, we also gain perspective on the similarities across human cultures.



Related stories:

The secrets of Sumerian civilization

https://historyforumtz.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-secrets-of-sumerians-ancient.html


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