Atrahasis Epic

A Mesopotamian epic that has found its way into biblical studies because it contains a story of a great flood, suggesting to some scholars at one time that the book of Genesis may share in, or perhaps was even dependant on, a common pool of ancient literary resources (which includes also the epic of Gilgamesh).

The epic begins with a lengthy narrative about the creation of humans, brought about to relieve the gods of the hard labour against which some of the gods (not much different from the men they created) had revolted. But the great increase of humans brought about another problem: they made so much noise it disturbed the sleep of Enlil, one of the gods. Enlil sent a plague hoping to solve his insomnia but his plan was spoilt by the wiles of another god, Enki/Ea. Other attempts, including drought and famine similarly failed, thereupon, Enlil decided on a great flood.

Online Resources:

☰ A. R. Millard, "A New Babylonian 'Genesis' Story," TynB 18 (1967): 3-18. pdf N