The  Assyrians  and  Babylonians  themselves
had  slightly  divergent  traditions.  The  story,
as  current  in  Babylonia  in  the  time  of  Alex
ander  the  Great,  was  recorded  by  Berosus
(Antiq.  i.~-3,  6 ;  con.  Apion.  i.  19),  and  is
quoted  in  full  -by  the  church  historian  Euse-
bius.  A  form  which  is  much  older,  which  in
fact  is  the  oldest  known  and  the  best  pre
served,  though  even  variations  of  it  were
current,  is  embodied  in  the  epic  that  cele
brates  the  deeds  of  Izdubar  or  Gilganiesh,
king  of  Erech.  Izdubar  had  been  smitten  with
disease,  and  he  determined  to  seek  help  from
his  ancestor  Sitnapishtim,  who  had  been  trans
lated  to  the  gods,  was  dwelling  ' '  at  the
mouth  of  the  rivers,"  and  had  knowledge
of  life  and  death.  After  a  long  journey,  in
which  he  encountered  many  difficulties  and
dangers,  Izdubar  found  Sitnapishtim.  He
belonged  to  a  generation  long  past,  but  still
enjoyed  the  freshness  and  vigor  of  youth.
Astonished,  Izdubar  exclaimed  :  "  How  earnest
thou,  Situapishtim,  to  see  life  amid  the
gods?""

"  I  will  open  to  you,  Izdubar,"  replied  Sitnap
ishtim,  "  the  eonce'aled  story,  and  also  the'oracle
of  the  gods  [with  reference  to  the  cure  of  your
disease]  will  I  declare.  You  know  the  city  of
Surippak,  which  stands  on  the  Euphrates.  That
city  was  old  when  the  gods  who  dwelt  therein
were  moved  at  heart  to  bring  about  a  flood-storm.
