Atrahasis (Epic)

The Atrahasis Epic is an ancient Mesopotamian story that explains the creation of humanity and a great flood, similar to the biblical Noah story. It depicts gods creating humans to serve them, but humans become noisy and disruptive. To control the population, gods send plagues and a deadly flood. Atrahasis, a wise man, is warned by a god and builds an ark to survive the flood. The story explores themes of divine anger, human suffering, and renewal, reflecting early Mesopotamian views on the relationships between gods, humans, and nature.