In this article, we are not concerned with recounting the story of the Sumerian flood. Instead, our focus is on the pre-flood period, its cities, and the gods associated with them. The earliest record of this narrative comes from a tablet discovered in the ancient city of Nippur, first published by Poebel in 1914. However, the tablet was incomplete, with only its last third remaining intact.
The Divine Kingship and the First Sumerian Cities
The first 37 lines of the tablet were severely damaged. After that, the text briefly mentions the creation of mankind by three deities: Anu, Enlil, and Ninhursag, followed by the multiplication of animals and livestock. A textual gap follows until line 57, after which we read about the descent of kingship from heaven and the distribution of ruling powers among the gods, with each deity assigned to a specific city:
"When kingship descended from heaven,
After the supreme crown of kingship was sent down from heaven,
The cities were founded,
(After) their locations were assigned, and their names were given.
The five great pre-flood cities and their divine patrons were:
- Eridu – Dedicated to Nudimmud (Enki)
- Bad-Tibira – Assigned to Nugig
- Larak – Given to Pabilsag
- Sippar – Ruled by Utu (Shamash), the sun god
- Shuruppak – Dedicated to Sud
The text then describes irrigation canals being purified, followed by a missing section that likely narrates the occurrence of the flood. Later, it mentions Nintu, who played a role in creation, and Inanna, who mourned for humanity. Enki pondered the matter deeply, while Anu, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursag swore an oath by the names of Anu and Enlil.
During this time, King Ziusudra ruled. He was described as a pious and devout man, constantly offering prayers and supplications. He was said to have been forewarned about the coming catastrophe, not as a mere dream but as a divine revelation.
The significance of this account lies in the descent of kingship from heaven, the founding of five major cities, and the assignment of deities to each. Understanding the gods of these cities provides insight into the characteristics of the pre-flood era and its rulers, helping to unravel mysteries surrounding this ancient period.
What matters to us in this story is the descent of kingship from the heavens and its establishment in the five cities, with each city assigned to a specific deity, as summarized in the following table:
Mesopotamian Cities and Their Deities
| # | City | City’s Deity | Nature | Temple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eridu | Nudimmud (Enki) | One of the names of the god Enki, the god of water, wisdom, knowledge, medicine, magic, and divination. | E-Abzu (with a ziggurat) |
| 2 | Bad-Tibira | Nu (Inanna) | A title of the goddess Inanna, goddess of love and beauty. Her consort, the divine king Dumuzid (Lugal E-Mush), was also worshiped here. | E-Mush (also referred to as E-Mush Kalama) |
| 3 | Larak | Pabilsag | His name means "The Gate," and he may be associated with the Underworld. He is the husband of the goddess of healing, Ninsina, titled "Lady of Larak." | — |
| 4 | Sippar | Utu | The sun god, worshiped alongside his wife, Aya. | E-Babbar |
| 5 | Shuruppak | Sud | A goddess whose name means "The Tall One." She later became the wife of Enlil, who granted her the title "Lady of the Air." | — |
The Babylonian Flood Myth and Its Royal Figures
The Babylonian flood myth, as recounted in the Epic of Atra-Hasis and Tablet XI of the Epic of Gilgamesh, aligns with the Sumerian tradition in some key respects. However, its primary contribution to our topic is the identification of the last pre-flood kings:
- Atra-Hasis – The last pre-flood king in Sumerian tradition.
- His name translates to "Exceedingly Wise" or "Vast in Wisdom."
- He was described as a great sage and leader, gathering the city elders at his gate, a role typically held by kings.
- He ruled during a time when three major disasters (plague, drought, and flood) afflicted humanity.
- Utnapishtim – The last pre-flood king in the Babylonian tradition.
- His name derives from the Akkadian words:
- Ut (from atu) meaning "to find"
- Pishtim (from napish) meaning "breath" or "life"
- Thus, his name means "He Who Found Life", signifying immortality or eternal life.
A direct comparison shows that Utnapishtim is the Akkadian equivalent of the Sumerian Ziusudra:
- Zi = Life
- U = Day
- Sud = Long
- Ra = Increase
- Meaning "The One Who Made Life Last Long," or simply, "The Immortal."
The 10th tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh confirms this identity:
"O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubara-Tutu"
This statement confirms that Utnapishtim (Atra-Hasis/Ziusudra) was the son of Ubara-Tutu and ruled in Shuruppak, one of the five pre-flood cities.
Berossus' Account of Pre-Flood Cities and Kings
The Babylonian historian Berossus (Berossos), a priest of Marduk in the 3rd century BCE, wrote a history of Mesopotamia titled "Babyloniaca" (or "Chaldaica"), which covered the region’s history from creation to Alexander the Great. Unfortunately, the book was lost, and only fragments survive in later Greek and Roman sources.
According to Berossus, the first pre-flood king was Anarohe, followed by Alorose, who ruled in Eridu for 28,000 years. Other key figures include:
- Alagares – Ruled for 36,000 years.
- Amelon – King of Bad-Tibira, ruled for 43,000 years.
- Amenon – During his reign, a mythical being appeared from the sea.
- Oannes – A half-man, half-fish creature who emerged from the sea to teach humanity.
Berossus’ account aligns with Sumerian and Babylonian traditions, describing the divine origins of kingship and the long reigns of pre-flood monarchs. The mythical figure Oannes is closely associated with Enki (Ea), the god of wisdom and water, often depicted wearing a fish cloak.
Berossus’ king list also presents names in a Hellenized form, often ending in "-os," making direct comparisons with Sumerian records more challenging. However, his account remains valuable in reconstructing the lost history of Mesopotamian pre-flood civilization.
Here is a table displaying Berossus' list
| # | King's Name | Reign Duration | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anarohe | — | — |
| 2 | Alorose | 36,000 | Eridu |
| 3 | Alagares | 10,800 | Eridu |
| 4 | Amelon | 46,800 | Bad-Tibira |
| 5 | Amenon | — | Bad-Tibira |
| 6 | Amegalanes | 64,800 | Bad-Tibira |
| 7 | Danose | — | Bad-Tibira |
| 8 | Evedoraches | 46,800 | Larak |
| 9 | Amempsions | 36,000 | Sippar |
| 10 | Obartes | 28,800 | Shuruppak |
| 11 | Xisotroze | 24,000 | Shuruppak |
Conclusion: The Legacy of Pre-Flood Sumerian Civilization
The pre-flood era in Sumerian and Babylonian mythology describes a time when divine rulers descended from heaven, founding great cities ruled by gods. The myths of Ziusudra, Atra-Hasis, and Utnapishtim illustrate the continuity of ancient Mesopotamian flood traditions, each highlighting a wise ruler who attained divine favor and survived the flood.
Understanding the divine kingship, its association with major deities, and the pre-flood city-states provides crucial insight into Mesopotamian cosmology, governance, and mythology. Whether through Sumerian tablets, Babylonian epics, or Berossus’ lost histories, these narratives reflect a civilization deeply rooted in divine authority and celestial order.
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