The Sumerian Deluge

In the high halls of Du-Ku, the ancient assembly where the fate of humanity was decided gathered once again. When An, the absolute lord of the heavens, looked upon the earth, he frowned with deep unease. The human race had multiplied, their numbers swelling beyond the limits of soil and stone. Cities had expanded endlessly, spreading like wild weeds, but this growth brought with it the forgetting of worship offered to the gods. The endless noise of humans rose like a hum to the heavens, disturbing the mighty beings’ celestial slumber and testing their patience. Altars stood empty, and hymns fell silent.

The Wrath of the Gods and Enlil’s Decision

Enlil, the relentless god of atmosphere and wind, could no longer tolerate the situation and rose in anger. His loud voice echoed through the marble halls of Du-Ku like a herald of a storm:"We created them, breathed life into them, gave them soil and abundance! But now they are ungrateful! They have turned their backs on us and chase only their own gain. Let us unleash the flood! Let the earth be cleansed! From Suruppak to Ur, from Eridu to Lagash, let nothing remain; let the earth be purified and order restored!"

Ninhursag, the great goddess of nature and fertility, remained silent before Enlil’s words, her face full of deep sorrow. She too saw humanity’s insatiable greed, their endless conflicts, and their disrespect toward the gods. The plants had withered, the animals grew restless; this uncontrolled growth of humans disturbed the balance of creation. However, Enki, the god of wisdom and the deep waters, vehemently opposed this destructive decree. The wise god was not willing to see humanity utterly destroyed; he believed that among them still existed a gem worth saving.

Enki’s Clever Plan and the Divine Whisper to Ziusudra

Enki turned to the assembly of gods and spoke wisely:"No, it is not right for them to be completely destroyed! One of them must be saved. There is a man who will be a model of wisdom and justice for all humanity: Ziusudra. He lives in Suruppak, is devoted to the gods, and pure of heart. With him, humanity can stand up again, find the right path, and learn from past mistakes."

But Enlil had sworn Enki not to openly defy the flood decision. While honoring his oath, Enki found a cunning solution fitting the complex and subtle nature of the Sumerian gods: “Speak through the wall.” This was not a direct intervention but an indirect warning.

In Suruppak, honest and wise Ziusudra was in a deep sleep when one night he heard whispers from the wall. This voice was neither the rustling of the wind nor the sound of an animal; it possessed divine wisdom and entered his heart, echoing in his mind:"O son of Suruppak, open your eyes, listen! The gods will unleash a great flood upon the earth, submerging all living things beneath the waters. But you shall build a MA.GUR.GAL — a great ship. The length and width of the ship shall be equal, a perfect cube. Build a strong, waterproof roof over it. Bring pairs of all kinds of animals, gather all the seeds of the earth’s plants, and take your family and kin into the ship."

When Ziusudra heard this divine warning, tears streamed from his eyes, but he did not hesitate. This was a test, and he was to prove worthy of the gods’ grace. Immediately, using the sacred cedar wood brought from Nippur, he began building a ship of unprecedented size. Days chased weeks, and weeks chased months. The people of Suruppak thought him mad, but Ziusudra never gave up. The ship was loaded with seven pairs of animals and all the seeds of the earth under the protection of seven wise goddesses (Sebettu), guardians of humanity’s fate.

The Beginning of the Flood and the Gods’ Regret

When the ship was finally ready, the sky suddenly darkened in a terrifying way. The sun god Utu shone faintly on the horizon for the last time, and then the sky split with a dreadful roar. Adad, the god of storm and rain, shattered the heavens and unleashed the flood. Lightning struck and thunder shook the earth. Rain poured not merely as from a cup but as if the very sky had broken apart.

For seven days and seven nights, the lands turned to sea. The waters rose higher and higher, swallowing everything, surpassing even the peaks of the tallest mountains. The screams of humans and the wild cries of animals were drowned beneath the waters. Even the gods themselves, terrified by the destruction, retreated to the highest limits of the heavens. Inanna, the goddess of love and war, hearing the cries of humanity, wept bitterly, tears streaming down her cheeks:"What we have done is too cruel! Though they forgot their worship, they were still our children! We gave them life, and now we destroy them!"

Ziusudra’s Salvation and a New Beginning

Inside the ship, Ziusudra continually prayed, reciting ancient hymns taught by Enki. His heart was filled with faith, his soul surrendered to the mercy of the gods. Finally, on the eighth day, the sun rose again, and Utu’s golden rays sparkled upon the waters. The waters began to recede, and the earth slowly reappeared. The ship came to rest firmly on Mount Nisir — which some ancient texts identify with a peak in today’s Zagros Mountains.

As soon as Ziusudra stepped off the ship, he offered a sacrifice to the gods. The smoke of the offering rose to the sky, spreading a sweet fragrance. The gods, smelling this honey-like aroma, felt their hunger lessen and their hearts ease somewhat. Enlil, seeing the ship and the man who survived, was angry at first, but Enki stood before him and spoke firmly:"I did not defy you, Enlil. I only saved the seed of wisdom upon the earth. Humanity will sprout anew from this seed."

Upon hearing this, Enlil’s wrath subsided. He admired Ziusudra’s justice and wisdom. He granted him immortality and sent him to the land of Dilmun — the realm of the gods and purity — as the bearer of hope for humanity’s renewal.

Thus, Ziusudra’s story became an ancient legend whispered down through generations, reminding us that even amid catastrophe, justice, wisdom, and divine mercy endure. This tale is one of the strongest narratives inherited from the Sumerian civilization, recounting humanity’s struggle for existence and its complex relationship with the gods.

The Sumerian Deluge: Ziu-Sudra'a Ark was 60 meters long and like a seven-story fortress.