these stories were not written to explain the Flood itself, but to explain why kingship was divine, why cities mattered, and why power moved from one center to another after catastrophe. The Flood functions as a boundary—separating a mythic, god-ruled age from historical human dynasties—rather than as a simple disaster narrative.
This article focuses on what came before the Flood: the lost antediluvian cities, their gods, the concept of divine kingship, and the figures like Ziusudra, Atra-Hasis, and Utnapishtim who stand at the threshold between myth and history. By examining Sumerian tablets, Babylonian epics, and later accounts such as Berossus, we uncover how Mesopotamians understood authority, time, and civilization long before written history began.
Divine Kingship Before the Flood 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 Antediluvian Cities and Their Patron Gods
The five great pre-flood cities and their divine patrons were:
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| The Lost Cities and Gods of Ancient Mesopotamia |
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.
Antediluvian Cities and Their Patron Gods
| # | City | Patron Deity | Divine Role | Main Temple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eridu | Nudimmud (Enki) | Water, wisdom, creation | E-Abzu |
| 2 | Bad-Tibira | Nugig (Inanna) | Fertility, kingship, love | E-Mush |
| 3 | Larak | Pabilsag | Gate, healing, underworld links | — |
| 4 | Sippar | Utu (Shamash) | Sun, justice, order | E-Babbar |
| 5 | Shuruppak | Sud | Air, elevation, destiny | — |
Ziusudra and the Last Antediluvian King
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." | — |
Babylonian Flood Traditions and Their 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.
How Scholars Interpret Antediluvian Kingship
- Divine origin: Kingship “descends from heaven,” legitimizing rule through gods.
- Sacred time: Extremely long reigns express cosmic order, not literal years.
- City theology: Each city embodies a god’s function and authority.
- The Flood boundary: Separates mythic rule from historical dynasties.
- Scribal ideology: Lists were edited to support later political legitimacy.
Berossus and the Later Memory of Antediluvian 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.
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.
Key Takeaways
- Antediluvian Mesopotamia reflects divine order, not historical chronology.
- Five cities formed the sacred geography of pre-Flood civilization.
- Kings ruled as divine representatives under specific gods.
- The Flood marks a transition from mythic to historical time.
- Later sources preserved and reshaped these traditions for legitimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “antediluvian” mean?
It refers to the period before the Flood in ancient traditions.
Were the pre-Flood kings real?
They are symbolic figures expressing divine authority, not literal rulers.
Why are reigns thousands of years long?
They represent sacred time using symbolic numbers.
How many cities existed before the Flood?
Most traditions list five primary cities.
Who was the last antediluvian ruler?
Ziusudra (Utnapishtim/Atra-Hasis) marks the transition.
What role did the gods play?
Each city was governed under a specific patron deity.
Sources & Rights
- Jacobsen, Thorkild. The Sumerian King List. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Langdon, Stephen Herbert. Oxford Editions of Cuneiform Texts. Oxford University Press.
- Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press.
- Kramer, Samuel Noah. Sumerian Mythology. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- George, Andrew. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Penguin Classics.
- Lambert, W. G. Atra-Hasis. Oxford University Press.
- Black, Jeremy & Green, Anthony. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. British Museum Press.
- Bottéro, Jean. Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia. University of Chicago Press.
- Hallo, William W. The Context of Scripture. Brill.
- Westenholz, Joan Goodnick. Legends of the Kings of Akkade. Eisenbrauns.
- Van De Mieroop, Marc. A History of the Ancient Near East. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Finkel, Irving. The Ark Before Noah. Hodder & Stoughton.
Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History
