Flood Narratives: Shared Echoes of Ancient Tradition

The stories of Atrahasis and Gilgamesh share significant similarities with the biblical flood account, particularly in motifs like the construction of a boat to preserve humanity, the precise specifications for its construction, and the use of birds to assess the subsiding waters. All three narratives arise from similar themes of divine retribution due to human transgressions, suggesting that the biblical flood story is influenced by these earlier traditions. Despite some differences in the specifics of each account, the underlying motifs indicate a shared cultural heritage and a common narrative framework surrounding the concept of a devastating flood.