DELUGE-STORY, BABYLONIAN. In the Baby lonian Gilgame.sh Epic (q.v.) Gilgtunesh goes in search of Par-for Ut-)napishtim to find out from him the secret of his immortality. Parnapishtim tells him that no man can escape death. Thereupon Gilgatnesh asks how it is that he (Parnapishtim) has become immortal. In reply Parnapisirtim tells him the story of a flood from which, as by a miracle, he was delivered. The city Shurippak had become corrupt. The gods determined to bring a deluge upon it. Their resolution was proclaimed by Anu (q.v.), Bel (q.v.), Ninib (q.v.). En-nugi, and Ea (q.v.). Parnapishtim is advised to build a ship and to load it with living things of every kind. Da tells him to explain to the people that he is going to the " deep " to dwell with Ea, because Bel, the god of earth, has cast him out. As for them, a deluge is coming upon them. Parnapishtim builds a ship with six stories, and smears it without and within with bitumen. He then loads it with all that he has, with his family, silver, gold, cattle. etc. When the deluge is about to come, he enters and shuts the door. Then Ramman (q.v.) thunders, Dili barra (q.v.), the god of war, lets loose his forces, Ninib works himself up into fury, the Anunnaki (q.v.) make their torches flash. The gods themselves tremble at the
success of their activities. Ishtar (q.v.) groans like a woman in travail, and repents of the evil that has been wrought. The gods weep with her. Not until the seventh day does the storm begin to cease. Parnapish tim looks forth and weeps at the havoc that has been created, the disappearance of mankind. After a time the boat rests on Mount Nisir. Then Parnapishtim sends forth, first a dove, which returns, then a swallow, which returns, and finally a raven, which does not return. Parnapishtim now leaves the ship and offers a sacrifice to the gods. Bel is not allowed to share in it, because he caused the deluge. He, for his pert, is angry that anyone should have escaped. He is told by Ninib that this is due to Ea. Da reproves Bel, and admits that he saved Parnapishtim (or Adra-Khasis) by telling him in a dream the decision of the gods. At length Bel is reconciled. He goes on board the ship and blesses Parnapishtim and his wife. He declares that whereas before they were human, now they shall be gods. Parnapishtim's dwelling shall be "at the con fluence of the streams." See Morris Jastrow, Rel.; S. Reinach, O.