Myth of the Floods

Question 1

What are the different versions of myths of the Great Floods?

Answer 1

Gilgamesh, Genesis-Noah’s Ark, Ovid Flood

Question 2

Summary of Flood in Gilgamesh

Answer 2

1. Gilgamesh asks Utanapishtim how he and his wife survived the flood and became immortal. Utanapishtim tells the story.
2. Enlil, chief god, was angry that humans are so rowdy and numerous
3. Planned to obliterate them with a flood
4. Ea/Enki, god of wisdom, warned Utanapishtim about the flood and told him to build a boat.
5. Utanapishtim did so, and loaded it with his family, animals, and possessions
6. They find land by sending a bird, who doesn’t return
7. They disembark on Mount Nimush, and sacrifice
8. The gods made Utanapishtim and his wife immortal, and will never send another flood like that one
9. Back to the frame narrative, in which Gilgamesh fails to stay awake 6 days and 7 nights, so loses the chance of eternal life

Question 3

What time period was Gilgamesh written?

Answer 3

600s BCE

Question 4

Summary of the Genesis Flood Story

Answer 4

1. The chief god is angry at humans due to them being evil, with the exception of Noah
2. God tells Noah to build a boat/ark for his family and animals, which he does
3. God sends the flood
4. Noah and family, in the boat, find land by sending a dove, which finds an olive branch and comes back with a leaf from the tree
5. Noah & family survive and disembark on Mount Arafat, and sacrifice animals to God
6. God promises never to destroy so many
7. Noah lives a really long time, but not forever

Question 5

What time period was Genesis composed?

Answer 5

C5-C4 BCE

Question 6

Summary for Ovid’s Flood Story: Deucalion et Pyrrha

Answer 6

1. The chief god (Jupiter/Jove) is angry at human wickedness
2. He decides to destroy humanity, but when the other gods object, he promises to produce a new and improved version
3. Jupiter and Neptune together produce a great flood, which is vividly described
4. Deucalion and Pyrrha, two exceptionally ethical, religious humans, children of Prometheus and Epimetheus, survive in a boat
5. They pray to Themis, righteousness, who tells them to throw their mother’s bones behind them - ie, stones
6. They do so, and new humans are born from the stones

Question 7

What time period was Ovid Flood written?

Answer 7

First century CE