Comparing The Summerian And Israelite Flood

Sumerian and Israelite Flood Myths The Sumerian and Israelite flood myths share many interesting and specific details, which make the theory that they are related a possibility. There is scientific evidence that supports there a flood took place in the Black Sea nearly seven thousand and six hundred years ago. This was a large-scale catastrophic event caused by the melting of glaciers from the previous ice age. It has been proven that the Black Sea was isolated from the oceans back then by the Bosporus Valley. Because of the rising ocean levels, the valley was eventually covered in water and the natural dam broke. The previously secluded Black Sea was then inundated by water and subsequently linked to the sea. This flood is believed to have been massive and to have lasted at least two years. …show more content…
Both versions agree that it was a punishment for mankind, who were not living up to the expectations of their god or gods. They were a way to wipe the slate clean, although for different reasons. The Sumerian gods were angry that the humans were noisy, and in the Israelite story they were corrupt and violent. Both stories also have the god or a god warn a righteous man in advance, so that the preservation of the human race and other animal species was possible. In both myths the hero was asked to gather as many different species as possible to repopulate the Earth after the flood. They were also not the only humans to board the ark. The heroes were also blessed with an unnaturally long life, with Utnapishtim receiving immortality and Noah living nearly a thousand