The Babylonian flood story of Atra-hasis is of vital importance to
ancient Near Eastern and biblical scholars, as well as students of
history, anthropology, and comparative religion. Professors Lambert and
Millard provide the reader with a detailed introduction, transliterated
Akkadian with English translation, critical notes, and line drawings of
the cuneiform tablets.
The epic opens in a time when only the gods lived in the universe.
Having decided on their established spheres of influence, the chief
Mesopotamian gods--Anu, Enlil, and Enki--began their divine labors. In a
joint effort, Enki and Mami (the mother goddess) engineered the creation
of mankind from clay and the flesh and blood of a slain god. The
remainder of the story recounts the expansion of humanity, the
consequent irritation of Enki by this expansion, the attempt by Enki and
Enlil to destroy humankind through a great flood, and the escape from
the flood by Atra-hasis in a boat, accompanied by his possessions,
family, and animals.
This classic scholarly edition of the epic is once again made available
as a quality Eisenbrauns reprint.