What is the fundamental definition of a flood myth?

A flood myth, also known as a deluge myth, is a narrative where a great flood, typically initiated by a deity or deities, results in the destruction of civilization. These myths often serve as a form of divine retribution.

What is the common thematic connection between flood myths and creation myths?

Flood myths often draw parallels to the cosmic ocean found in some creation myths. The flood waters are frequently described as a means of cleansing the world, preparing it for a subsequent rebirth or renewal of humanity.

What role does a 'culture hero' typically play in flood myths?

In most flood myths, a culture hero emerges as a central figure. This character embodies the human desire for survival and continuity amidst the catastrophic event.

Which ancient culture is credited with the oldest known narrative of a divinely initiated flood?

The oldest known narrative of a divinely initiated flood originates from the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia. This story is expressed in texts such as the Akkadian Atra-Hasis epic, dating back to the 18th century BCE.

Besides Sumerian and Mesopotamian traditions, what are some other cultures that feature flood narratives?

Comparable flood narratives appear in numerous cultures, including the biblical Genesis flood narrative, the manvantara-sandhya in Hinduism, the Greek myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha, and traditions of the Cheyenne, Blackfeet, and Puebloan peoples.

What is the approximate date of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, and what does it contain regarding flood myths?

The Epic of Gilgamesh, which references an early flood myth, dates from approximately 2100 to 1800 BCE. This epic is considered one of the earliest known literary works to include a flood narrative.

Describe the flood narrative within the Atra-Hasis epic.

In the Atra-Hasis epic, Sumerian gods initially transform Mesopotamia into a garden. When humans multiply and disturb the gods with their noise, the chief god Enlil decides to send a flood to wipe them out. However, the god Enki secretly warns his priest Athrahasis, instructing him to build a boat, allowing Athrahasis and his family to survive and ensure the continuation of humankind.

Who is the survivor in the Gilgamesh flood myth, and how does it compare to Atra-Hasis?

In the Gilgamesh flood myth, the survivor is named Utnapishtim. While sharing similarities with the Atra-Hasis epic, the Gilgamesh version is a distinct narrative that also features a divinely sent flood from which one man and his family are saved.

What is the significance of Yi Samuel Chen's analysis regarding Mesopotamian flood narratives?

Yi Samuel Chen's analysis suggests that the flood narrative was likely added to Mesopotamian texts, including the Sumerian King List, during the Old Babylonian Period. He argues that the flood served as a new historiographical concept, marking a watershed moment in the world's early history within these literary traditions.

According to the Genesis flood narrative, why did Yahweh decide to flood the Earth, and what was the outcome?

In the Hebrew Genesis, Yahweh decided to flood the Earth due to the corrupted state of mankind. He instructed Noah to build an ark to preserve human and animal life. After the floodwaters receded, Noah and the survivors disembarked, and Yahweh promised never to destroy the Earth with a flood again, signifying this promise with a rainbow.

What role does Vishnu's Matsya Avatar play in the Hindu flood narrative?

In Hindu texts like the Satapatha Brahmana and Puranas, Vishnu's Matsya Avatar, in the form of a fish, warns the first man, Manu, about an impending great flood known as manvantara-sandhya. The Matsya Avatar advises Manu to build a giant boat to survive the deluge.

How does Zoroastrian tradition describe a flood event?

In Zoroastrian Mazdaism, the destructive entity Ahriman attempts to destroy the world with a drought. This is countered by Mithra, who shoots an arrow into a rock, causing a flood to spring forth. One man survives this flood in an ark accompanied by his cattle.

What is Norbert Oettinger's theory regarding the Indo-Iranian flood myth of Yima?

Norbert Oettinger proposes that the story of Yima and the Vara in Zoroastrian tradition was originally a flood myth. He suggests it was adapted to focus on a harsh winter in Eastern Iran, where floods were less impactful, but remnants of the flood narrative, like mentions of melted water, may persist.

How does Plato's account in the Timaeus describe a flood myth?

In Plato's Timaeus, the Bronze race of humans angers Zeus with their warfare, prompting him to punish them with a flood. Prometheus warns Deucalion, who builds an ark and survives the flood, which eventually recedes after nine days and nights, with the ark landing on a mountain.

What is the Cheyenne tradition concerning a flood?

The Cheyenne, a North American Great Plains tribe, have a tradition that a flood significantly altered the course of their history. This event is thought by some to have occurred in the Missouri River Valley.

Describe the Blackfeet flood story, 'Language on a Mountain'.

The Blackfeet story 'Language on a Mountain' recounts how the deity Napi (Old Man) created a great flood. Afterward, Napi gathered people on a mountain and gave them water of different colors to drink. Those who drank the black water were able to speak the same language, forming the various bands of the Blackfoot Confederacy.

What do Hopi and other Puebloan traditions say about floods?

Hopi traditions, from the southwestern United States, include accounts of a flood that rose so high it nearly reached the tops of mountains. Other Puebloan groups share similar legends about devastating floods.

What geological period is speculated to have inspired some flood myths?

Floods occurring in the wake of the Last Glacial Period, which spanned from approximately 115,000 to 11,700 years ago, are speculated to have inspired some of the flood myths that persist today.

How might Plato's allegory of Atlantis relate to flood myths and historical events?

Some scholars suggest that Plato's story of Atlantis, set thousands of years before his time, could be inspired by a Stone Age society near the Mediterranean Sea being wiped out by rising sea levels after the Last Glacial Period. This catastrophic event might have formed the basis for the flood narrative.

What is archaeologist Bruce Masse's hypothesis regarding the origin of global flood stories?

Bruce Masse hypothesized that many global flood narratives might stem from an oceanic asteroid impact between Africa and Antarctica. This event, possibly coinciding with a solar eclipse, could have generated a massive tsunami, leading to widespread coastal flooding and inspiring these myths. He tentatively dated this event to around 3000-2800 BCE.

What specific astronomical events are mentioned in relation to Bruce Masse's flood hypothesis?

Bruce Masse's hypothesis connects flood myths to potential astronomical events. Fourteen flood myths specifically refer to a full solar eclipse, and his theory suggests an oceanic asteroid impact around 3000-2800 BCE, which he links to a specific date of May 10, 2807 BC.

How did the geography of Mesopotamia contribute to flood narratives?

Mesopotamia, being a river valley civilization, was naturally prone to floods. Valley-wide inundations could destroy entire settlements, making floods a significant and potentially world-ending event for its inhabitants, which likely influenced their mythology.

What archaeological evidence at Shuruppak suggests a historical flood event?

Excavations at Shuruppak (modern Tell Fara, Iraq) revealed a distinct 60-cm layer of alluvial sand and clay separating the Jemdet Nasr and Early Dynastic layers. This layer indicates a significant flood event, possibly caused by river avulsion, common in the Tigris-Euphrates river system. This layer dates to around 2900 BC.

How did the geography of the Persian Gulf region change after the last glacial period, and how might this relate to flood myths?

Following the Last Glacial Period, global sea levels rose significantly. Around 18,000 years ago, sea levels were about 120 meters lower. By 8,000 BP, they reached current levels, submerging the low-lying, fertile region of the Persian Gulf, which was once a large oasis. This dramatic change in the landscape, with the sea encroaching on previously inhabited land, could have contributed to flood narratives.

What theory does Adrienne Mayor propose for the inspiration behind Greek and Roman flood stories?

Adrienne Mayor theorizes that ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans may have been inspired to develop flood stories by observing seashells and fish fossils found in inland and mountainous areas. These discoveries led them to hypothesize that the Earth had been covered by water on multiple occasions.

How might the Thera eruption be linked to the Greek myth of Deucalion?

The myth of Deucalion has been speculated to be historically based on a large tsunami in the Mediterranean Sea caused by the Thera eruption (around 1630-1600 BCE). While this tsunami impacted the South Aegean Sea and Crete, it did not prevent the continued prosperity of mainland Greek cities, suggesting a localized rather than widespread effect.

What is the Black Sea deluge hypothesis?

The Black Sea deluge hypothesis is a controversial theory suggesting a catastrophic irruption of water from the Mediterranean Sea into the Black Sea basin occurred around 5600 BCE, causing significant long-term flooding.

What was the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis, and what is its current status?

The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis proposed that an extraterrestrial impact event caused widespread flooding and other catastrophic changes, potentially explaining flood myths. However, this hypothesis is controversial and has been largely refuted by scientific research.

Who first proposed a comet-related cause for a worldwide flood, and when?

Edmond Halley is credited with the earliest known hypothesis suggesting a comet caused a widespread flood. He proposed this idea in 1694, suggesting a near-miss by a comet was responsible for a worldwide flood.

How did Pierre-Simon Laplace speculate about comets and Earth's history?

In his 1796 book 'Exposition Du Système Du Monde', Pierre-Simon Laplace speculated that a comet impact could cause immense disasters, including drowning most life in a universal deluge, destroying entire species, and reversing human industry. He suggested such events could lead to global extinctions.

What was Ignatius L. Donnelly's theory regarding comets and ancient catastrophes?

Ignatius L. Donnelly, in his books 'Atlantis: The Antediluvian World' (1882) and 'Ragnarok: The Age of Fire and Gravel' (1883), argued that a massive comet struck the Earth between 6,000 and 9,000 BCE. He linked this event to the destruction of Atlantis, the Biblical Flood, catastrophic fires, and climate change.

How is the artwork 'The Deluge' by Gustave Doré related to flood myths?

The artwork 'The Deluge' by Gustave Doré serves as the frontispiece for his illustrated edition of the Bible, visually representing the biblical flood narrative and the destruction it brought.

What does the image depicting the Matsya Avatar of Vishnu show?

The image shows the Matsya-avatara of Lord Vishnu pulling Manu's boat after having defeated a demon, illustrating the Hindu flood myth where Vishnu warns Manu of the impending deluge.

What does the illustration of Nanabozho depict in relation to flood stories?

The illustration shows Nanabozho within the context of an Ojibwe flood story, as depicted in R. C. Armour's book 'North American Indian Fairy Tales, Folklore and Legends' from 1905.

What is depicted in the painting 'The Great Flood' by an anonymous painter?

The painting 'The Great Flood' by an anonymous artist, part of the vom Rath bequest at the Rijksmuseum, visually interprets the biblical or a similar deluge narrative.

What does Francis Danby's 1840 painting 'The Deluge' represent?

Francis Danby's 1840 oil painting titled 'The Deluge', housed in the Tate Gallery, offers an artistic depiction of the aftermath or the event of a great flood.

What does the artwork 'Noah's Ark from the Zubdat al-Tawarikh' illustrate?

This artwork, from the Zubdat al-Tawarikh manuscript presented to Sultan Murad III in 1583, depicts Noah's Ark and the associated deluge, showcasing a historical artistic interpretation of the flood story.

What is depicted in William Etty's 1843 painting 'Study for The Deluge'?

William Etty's 1843 painting, 'Study for The Deluge', portrays the aftermath of a mythological great flood, offering an artistic interpretation of the catastrophic event.

What is the primary focus of the 'Mythology' section of the article?

The 'Mythology' section details various flood myths from different cultures, including Mesopotamian epics like Atra-Hasis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, the biblical Genesis narrative, Hindu traditions, Zoroastrian beliefs, Greek mythology, and the traditions of Native American tribes such as the Cheyenne, Blackfeet, and Hopi.

What is the main subject of the 'Historicity' section?

The 'Historicity' section explores potential real-world events or phenomena that might have inspired flood myths. This includes geological events like post-glacial sea-level rise, potential asteroid impacts causing tsunamis, and the geological changes in regions like the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

What geological event does the Black Sea deluge hypothesis propose?

The Black Sea deluge hypothesis suggests a catastrophic event around 5600 BCE where water from the Mediterranean Sea forcefully entered the Black Sea basin, causing extensive flooding.

What is the 'See also' section of the article about flood myths?

The 'See also' section lists related topics for further exploration, such as the Bølling–Allerød warming period, a comprehensive list of flood myths, and the phenomenon of sea level rise.

What is the purpose of the 'References' section in the article?

The 'References' section provides detailed citations for the information presented in the article, allowing readers to verify the sources and explore the academic or historical basis for the claims made about flood myths.

What kind of information is found in the 'Sources' section?

The 'Sources' section typically lists primary or significant secondary works that were consulted in the creation of the article, such as translations of ancient texts like 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' or scholarly analyses of flood myths.

What does the 'Further reading' section offer to the reader?

The 'Further reading' section suggests additional books and resources for readers who wish to delve deeper into the study of flood myths, covering various cultural perspectives and scholarly analyses.

What is the significance of the 'Authority control' section?

The 'Authority control' section provides links to standardized databases (like GND, Library of Congress, etc.) that catalog information about the topic 'Flood myth'. This helps ensure consistency and provides access to curated resources related to the subject.

What connection does the article draw between the Mesopotamian flood narratives and historical geological events?

The article notes that Mesopotamia, being a river valley civilization, was historically prone to floods. Archaeological findings at sites like Shuruppak show layers of sediment indicating past inundations, with one layer dating to around 2900 BC, potentially correlating with the time frame of early flood myths.

How did rising sea levels after the Last Glacial Period potentially influence flood myths in regions like the Persian Gulf?

After the Last Glacial Period, global sea levels rose dramatically, submerging coastal areas. The significant inundation of the fertile Persian Gulf region, which was once a low-lying oasis, likely contributed to the development of flood narratives as communities were displaced or experienced catastrophic loss of land.

Flood Myth Wiki: Echoes of the Abyss: Unveiling Global Flood Narratives

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Global Mythologies

Defining the Deluge

A flood myth, or deluge myth, is a narrative wherein a great flood, often divinely orchestrated, obliterates civilization. These myths frequently draw parallels with the primeval cosmic ocean found in creation myths, symbolizing humanity's cleansing and potential rebirth. They often feature a culture hero who embodies the human drive for survival.

Mesopotamian Origins

The earliest known narrative of a divinely initiated flood originates from Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia, notably in the Atra-Hasis epic (c. 18th century BCE). This epic details a divine decision to destroy humanity due to their noise, with the god Enki warning his priest Athrahasis to build an ark. Comparable narratives appear across numerous cultures, including the biblical Genesis flood narrative, Hindu Manvantara-sandhya, and Greek mythology.

Key Narratives

The Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100–1800 BCE) contains an early flood account, paralleling the Atra-Hasis epic. The Genesis flood narrative (c. 9th century BCE) describes Yahweh's decision to flood the Earth due to human corruption, instructing Noah to build an ark. Hindu traditions, as found in the Satapatha Brahmana and Puranas, feature Vishnu's Matsya Avatar warning Manu to construct a boat. Greek mythology recounts Deucalion and Pyrrha surviving a flood sent by Zeus.

Zoroastrianism: Ahriman's attempt to destroy the world with drought is countered by Mithra, leading to a flood from which one man survives.
Indigenous American Traditions: Cheyenne and Blackfeet traditions recount floods and the origin of languages, while Hopi legends describe mountain-reaching floods.
Scholarly Analysis: Yi Samuel Chen's research suggests the flood narrative was integrated into Mesopotamian texts during the Old Babylonian Period, potentially as a new historiographical concept.

Historicity and Origins

Post-Glacial Influences

Scholars speculate that significant geological events, such as the dramatic sea-level rise following the Last Glacial Period (c. 115,000 – 11,700 years ago), may have inspired widespread flood myths. The inundation of coastal regions and river valleys could have been perceived as catastrophic, world-ending events.

Cosmic Impact Theories

Hypotheses propose that ancient observations of celestial events or impacts could be linked to flood narratives. Bruce Masse suggested an oceanic asteroid impact around 3000–2800 BCE, creating a tsunami and potentially influencing myths globally. The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis, though controversial and largely refuted, also explored a connection between impact events and flood narratives.

Geological Evidence

Archaeological findings in Mesopotamia, such as alluvial layers at Shuruppak (c. 2900 BC), suggest localized flooding events that may have contributed to the development of flood stories. Similarly, Adrienne Mayor theorizes that discoveries of marine fossils in mountainous regions inspired ancient Greeks to believe in recurrent global floods. The Black Sea deluge hypothesis posits a catastrophic Mediterranean irruption into the Black Sea basin around 5600 BCE.

Mesopotamian Geography: The Tigris-Euphrates river system is inherently flood-prone due to river avulsions, which could have led to devastating local floods.
Mediterranean Basin: The Thera eruption (c. 1630–1600 BCE) caused a tsunami in the Aegean and Crete, but its impact on mainland Greece was not region-wide, suggesting localized origins for some myths.
Sea Level Rise: Global sea levels rose significantly after the Last Glacial Maximum, submerging vast coastal areas and potentially informing narratives of a world-ending flood.

Scientific Perspectives

Cosmic Catastrophes

Early scientific speculation, notably by Edmond Halley (1694) and William Whiston (1696), proposed that cometary encounters could be the cause of global floods. Pierre-Simon Laplace later theorized that cometary impacts could lead to catastrophic events, including universal deluges. Ignatius L. Donnelly popularized the idea that a comet impact around 6,000–9,000 BCE caused the biblical Flood, along with widespread fires and climate change.

Comet Encounters

The hypothesis that comets could cause catastrophic floods gained traction in scientific discourse. Whiston attributed not only the Flood but also atmospheric changes to cometary interactions. While these theories are now largely considered speculative, they reflect early attempts to reconcile mythological accounts with natural phenomena.

Cometary Hypotheses

Halley and Whiston

Edmond Halley first suggested in 1694 that a comet's near-miss could have caused a universal deluge. William Whiston, building on this, argued in his 1696 work A New Theory of the Earth that a comet encounter was the probable cause of Noah's Flood in 2342 BCE, also linking comets to atmospheric changes and other terrestrial alterations.

Laplace and Donnelly

Pierre-Simon Laplace, in his 1796 publication Exposition Du Système Du Monde, speculated that cometary impacts could result in devastating events like universal deluges. Later, Ignatius L. Donnelly, in his 1883 book Ragnarok: The Age of Fire and Gravel, posited a comet impact around 6,000–9,000 BCE as the cause of the biblical Flood, attributing associated fires and climate shifts to this event.

Artistic Depictions

Visualizing the Narrative

Throughout history, artists have sought to capture the dramatic essence of flood myths. These visual interpretations often focus on key moments: the divine warning, the construction of the ark, the cataclysmic deluge itself, and the aftermath of survival and renewal.

Mesopotamian Art: Depictions often show deities or figures like Utnapishtim and Athrahasis involved in building vessels or surviving the flood.
Hindu Iconography: The Matsya Avatar of Vishnu is frequently depicted pulling Manu's boat.
European Masters: Artists like Gustave Doré, John Martin, Francis Danby, and William Etty have created powerful scenes of the Deluge, emphasizing its scale and emotional impact.
Indigenous Art: Illustrations from various cultures depict their unique flood heroes, such as Nanabozho in Ojibwe traditions.

Scholarly Sources

Primary and Secondary Texts

The study of flood myths relies on a range of ancient texts and modern scholarly analyses. Key primary sources include Mesopotamian epics like Atra-Hasis and the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Hebrew Bible's Genesis, and Hindu scriptures such as the Satapatha Brahmana and Puranas.

Academic Research

Modern scholarship, including works by figures like Yi Samuel Chen, Adrienne Mayor, and Alan Dundes, critically examines the origins, variations, and potential historical or geological underpinnings of these myths. This research often involves comparative mythology, archaeology, and historical linguistics.

Leeming, David. Flood: The Oxford Companion to World Mythology.
Tigay, Jeffrey H. The Evolution of the Gilgamesh Epic.
Finkel, Irving. The Ark Before Noah.
Pritchard, James B. (ed.). Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament.
Black, Jeremy A., et al. The Literature of Ancient Sumer.
Chen, Yi Samuel. The Primeval Flood Catastrophe.
Dundes, Alan (ed.). The Flood Myth.
Lambert, W. G. and Millard, A. R. Atra-hasis: The Babylonian Story of the Flood.

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References

"Matsya". EncyclopÃ¦dia Britannica.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Flood myth Wikipedia page

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Echoes of the Abyss

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Global Mythologies 📜

🌍 Defining the Deluge

📜 Mesopotamian Origins

📖 Key Narratives

Historicity and Origins ⏳

🌍 Post-Glacial Influences

☄️ Cosmic Impact Theories

🌊 Geological Evidence

Scientific Perspectives 🔬

🌌 Cosmic Catastrophes

☄️ Comet Encounters

Cometary Hypotheses ☄️

🔭 Halley and Whiston

💡 Laplace and Donnelly

Artistic Depictions 🎨

🖼️ Visualizing the Narrative

Scholarly Sources 📚

📄 Primary and Secondary Texts

🔍 Academic Research

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Global Mythologies

Defining the Deluge

Mesopotamian Origins

Key Narratives

Historicity and Origins

Post-Glacial Influences

Cosmic Impact Theories

Geological Evidence

Scientific Perspectives

Cosmic Catastrophes

Comet Encounters

Cometary Hypotheses

Halley and Whiston

Laplace and Donnelly

Artistic Depictions

Visualizing the Narrative

Scholarly Sources

Primary and Secondary Texts

Academic Research

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice