Atrahasis / Atra-Hasis Epic

An ancient Mesopotamian creation and flood myth preserved in Akkadian texts from the Old Babylonian period (c. 18th century BC). The epic centers around Atrahasis, whose name translates as “exceedingly wise,” and his interactions with the gods. It begins with the gods, led by the supreme god Anu, creating humans from clay and the blood of a slain god to relieve the lesser gods, who are burdened with labor. However, over time, the human population grows too large and noisy, disturbing the gods’ peace. To reduce the human population, the gods first send a plague, then a famine, but neither proves effective. Finally, they decide to send a massive flood to wipe out humanity. Atrahasis, warned by the god Ea (a.k.a. Enki), builds an ark to save himself, his family, and two specimens of each animal. The flood devastates the world, but Atrahasis survives, and after the waters recede, the gods grant him immortality. The epic concludes with the gods realizing the need for humans, as their worship sustains the divine realm.