,,hasisadra',s ,,adv5ture  ,,essay #g   
,,f ,,sci5ce ,,& ,,hebrew ,,tradition   
,by ,?omas ,h5ry ,huxley    ,"s ?\s&s ( 
ye>s ago !re 0 a city 9 ,mesopotamia    
call$ ,surippak4 ,"o night a /range     
dream came to a dwell] !re91 ^: "n1 if  
rightly report$1 0 ,hasisadra4 ,! dream 
=etold ! spe$y com+ ( a great flood2 & x
 w>n$ ,hasisadra to lose no "t 9 build+ 
a %ip1 9 :i*1 :5 notice 0 giv51 he1 8   
family & fri5ds1 ) _! dome/ic animals & 
a collection ( wild creatures & se$ (   
plants ( ! l&1 might take refuge & be   
rescu$ f de/ruction4 ,hasisadra awoke1 &
 at once act$ ^u ! w>n+4 ,a /rong deck$ 
%ip 0 built1 & h] sides 7 paid1 inside &
 out1 ) ! m9]al pit*1 or bitum51 ) :i* !
 c\ntry ab\nd$2 ! vessel's seawor?9ess 0
 te/$1 ! c>go 0 /[$ away1 & a tru/y     
pilot or /e]sman appo9t$4  ,! promis$   
signal arriv$4 ,wife & fri5ds emb>k$2   
,hasisadra1 foll[+1 prud5tly %ut ! door1
 or1 z we %\ld say1 put on ! hat*es2 &  
,nes-,hea1 ! pilot1 0 left alone on deck
 to d 8 be/ = ! %ip4 ,!reupon a         

hurricane began to rage2 ra9 fell 9     
torr5ts2 ! subt]ranean wat]s bur/ =?2 a 
deluge swept ov] ! l&1 & ! w9d la%$ x   
into waves sky high2 heav5 & e>? became 
m+l$ 9 *aotic gloom4 ,= six days & sev5 
nights ! gale rag$1 b ! good %ip held   
out until1 on ! sev5? day1 ! /orm lull$4
 ,hasisadra v5tur$ on deck2 &1 see+ no?+
 b a wa/e ( wat]s /rew$ ) float+ corpses
 & wreck1 wept ov] ! de/ruction ( 8 l& &
 p4 ,f> away1 ! m\nta9s ( ,nizir 7      
visible2 ! %ip 0 /e]$ = !m & ran agr\nd 
^u ! high] l&4 ,yet ano!r sev5 days     
pass$ by4 ,on ! sev5?1 ,hasisadra s5t =?
 a dove1 :i* f\nd no re/+ place &       
return$2 !n he lib]at$ a swall[1 :i*    
also came back2 f9ally1 a rav5 0 let    
loose1 & t sagaci\s bird1 :5 x f\nd t ! 
wat] _h abat$1 came ne> ! %ip1 b refus$ 
to return to x4 ,^u ?is1 ,hasisadra     
lib]at$ ! re/ ( ! wild animals1 :i*     
imm$iately disp]s$ 9 all directions1    
:ile he1 ) 8 family & fri5ds1 asc5d+ a  
m\nta9 h>d by1 (f]$ sacrifice ^u its    
summit to ! gods4  ,! /ory ?us giv5 9   

summ>y ab/ract1 told 9 an anci5t        
,semitic dialect1 is inscrib$ 9 cunei=m 
*>act]s ^u a tablet ( burnt clay4 ,_m   
?\s&s ( su* tablets1 collect$ by        
,assurbanipal1 ,k+ ( ,assyria 9 ! middle
 ( ! sev5? c5tury ,b4,c41 7 /or$ 9 !    
libr>y ( 8 palace at ,n9eveh2 &1 ?\gh 9 
a sadly brok5 & mutilat$ condition1 !y h
 yield$ a m>vell\s am\nt ( in=mation to 
! pati5t & sagaci\s lab\r :i* mod]n     
s*ol>s h be/[$ ^u !m4 ,among ! multitude
 ( docum5ts ( v>i\s k9ds1 ?is n>rative (
 ,hasisadra's adv5ture has be5 f\nd 9 a 
tol]ably complete /ate4 ,b              
,assyriologi/s agree t x is only a copy 
( a mu* m anci5t "w2 & !re are weighty  
reasons = believ+ t ! /ory (            
,hasisadra's flood 0 well kn[n 9        
,mesopotamia be=e ! ye> #bjjj ,b4,c4    
,no d\bt1 !n1 we are 9 pres5ce ( a      
n>rative :i* has all ! au?ority :i*     
antiquity c conf]2 & x is prop] to deal 
respectfully ) x1 ev5 ?\gh x is q z     
prop]1 & inde$ necess>y1 to act no less 
respectfully t[>ds ourselves2 &1 be=e   

pr(ess+ to put implicit fai? 9 x1 to    
inquire :at claim x has to be reg>d$ z a
 s]i\s acc\nt ( an hi/orical ev5t4  ,x  
is ( no use to appeal to contempor>y    
hi/ory1 al?\gh ! annals ( ,babylonia1 no
 less ?an ^? ( ,egypt1 g mu* fur!r back 
?an #bjjj ,b4,c4 ,all t c be said is1 t 
! =m] are h>dly consi/5t ) ! supposition
 t any cata/rophe1 compet5t to de/roy   
all ! population1 has befall5 ! l& s9ce 
civilisation began1 & t ! latt] are     
notori\sly sil5t ab\t deluges4 ,9 su* a 
case z ?is1 h[ev]1 ! sil5ce ( hi/ory    
does n leave ! inquir] :olly at fault4  
,natural sci5ce has some?+ to say :5 !  
ph5om5a ( nature are 9 "q4 ,natural     
sci5ce may be able to %[1 f ! nature ( !
 c\ntry1 ei!r t su* an ev5t z t describ$
 9 ! /ory is impossible1 or at any rate 
highly improbable2 or1 on ! o!r h&1 t x 
is consonant ) probability4 ,9 ! =m]    
case1 ! n>rative mu/ be suspect$ or     
reject$2 9 ! latt]1 no su* summ>y v]dict
 c be giv53 on ! contr>y1 x mu/ be      
admitt$ t ! /ory may be true4 ,& !n1 if 

c]ta9 /rangely preval5t canons (        
criticism are accept$1 & if ! evid5ce t 
an ev5t might h happ5$ is to be accept$ 
z pro( t x did happ51 ,assyriologi/s w  
be at lib]ty to congratulate "o ano!r on
 ! confirmation by mod]n sci5ce ( !     
au?ority ( _! anci5t books4  ,x w be    
int]e/+1 !re=e1 to inquire h[ f> !      
physical /ructure & ! o!r conditions ( !
 region 9 :i* ,surippak 0 situat$ are   
compatible ) su* a flood z is describ$ 9
 ! ,assyrian record4  ,! sc5e (         
,hasisadra's adv5ture is laid 9 ! broad 
valley1 six or sev5 hundr$ miles long1 &
 h>dly any:]e less ?an a hundr$ miles 9 
wid?1 :i* is trav]s$ by ! l[] c\rses ( !
 riv]s ,euphrates & ,tigris1 & :i* is   
commonly kn[n z ! ,euphrates valley4    
,ris+1 at ! "o end1 into a hill c\ntry1 
:i* gradually passes into ! ,alp9e      
heights ( ,arm5ia2 &1 at ! o!r1 dipp+   
b5ea? ! %all[ wat]s ( ! head ( ! ,p]sian
 ,gulf1 :i* cont9ues 9 ! same direction1
 f nor?-we/ to s\?-ea/1 = "s eight      
hundr$ miles f>!r1 ! floor ( ! valley   

pres5ts a gradual slope1 f eight hundr$ 
feet above ! sea level to ! dep?s ( !   
s\!rn end ( ! ,p]sian ,gulf4 ,! b\nd>y  
betwe5 sea & l&1 =m$ by ! extreme/      
mudflats ( ! delta ( ! two riv]s1 is b  
vaguely def9$2 &1 ye> by ye>1 x advances
 seaw>d4 ,on ! nor?-ea/]n side1 ! we/]n 
fronti] ranges ( ,p]sia rise abruptly to
 great heights2 on ! s\?-we/]n side1 a m
 gradual asc5t leads to a table-l& (    
less elevation1 :i*1 v broad 9 ! s\?1   
:]e x is occupi$ by ! des]ts ( ,arabia &
 ( ,s\!rn ,syria1 n>r[s1 nor?w>ds1 into 
! highl&s ( ,pale/9e1 & is cont9u$ by ! 
ranges ( ! ,lebanon1 ! ,antilebanon1 & !
 ,taurus1 into ! highl&s ( ,arm5ia4  ,! 
wide & g5tly incl9$ pla91 ?us inclos$   
betwe5 ! gulf & ! highl&s1 on ea* side &
 at its upp] extremity1 is di/+ui%able  
into two regions ( v diff]5t "*1 "o (   
:i* lies nor?1 & ! o!r s\? ( ! p>allel (
 ,hit1 on ! ,euphrates4 ,except 9 !     
imm$iate vic9ity ( ! riv]1 ! nor!rn     
division is /ony & scantily cov]$ )     
vegetation1 except 9 spr+4 ,ov] ! s\!rn 

division1 on ! contr>y1 spreads a deep  
alluvial soil1 9 :i* ev5 a pebble is    
r>e2 & :i*1 ?\gh1 "u ! exi/+ misrule1   
ma9ly a wa/e ( m>% & wild]ness1 ne$s    
only intellig5t att5tion to become1 z x 
0 ( old1 ! gran>y ( we/]n ,asia4 ,except
 9 ! extreme s\?1 ! ra9fall is small & !
 air dry4 ,! heat 9 summ] is int5se1    
:ile bitt]ly cold nor!rn bla/s sweep !  
pla9 9 w9t]4 ,:irlw9ds are n uncommon2  
&1 9 ! int]vals ( ! p]iodical           
inundations1 ! f9e1 dry1 p[d]y soil is  
swept1 ev5 by mod]ate breezes1 into     
/ifl+ cl\ds1 or r fogs1 ( du/4 ,l[      
inequalities1 elevations "h &           
depressions !re1 div]sify ! surface ( ! 
alluvial region4 ,! latt] are occupi$ by
 enorm\s m>%es1 :ile ! =m] support !    
p]man5t dwell+s ( ! pres5t scanty &     
mis]able population4  ,9 antiquity1 s   
long z ! canalisation ( ! c\ntry 0      
prop]ly c>ri$ out1 ! f]tility ( !       
alluvial pla9 enabl$ great & prosp]\s   
nations to h _! home 9 ! ,euphrates     
valley4 ,its abundant clay furni%$ !    

mat]ials = ! masses ( sun-dri$ & burnt  
bricks1 ! rema9s ( :i*1 9 ! %ape ( huge 
artificial m\nds1 /ill te/ify to bo? !  
magnitude & ! indu/ry ( ! population1   
?\s&s ( ye>s ago4 ,good cem5t is        
pl5tiful1 :ile ! bitum51 :i* wells f !  
rocks at ,hit & else:]e1 n only answ]s !
 same purpose1 b is us$ to ?is day1 z x 
0 9 ,hasisadra's "t1 to pay ! inside & !
 outside ( boats4  ,9 ! broad l[] c\rse 
( ! ,euphrates1 ! /ream r>ely acquires a
 velocity ( m ?an ?ree miles an h\r1    
:ile ! l[] ,tigris atta9s d\ble t rate 9
 times ( flood4 ,! wat] ( bo? great     
riv]s is ma9ly d]iv$ f ! nor!rn & ea/]n 
highl&s 9 ,arm5ia & 9 ,kurdi/an1 & /&s  
at its l[e/ level 9 e>ly autumn & 9     
,janu>y4 ,b :5 ! sn[s accumulat$ 9 !    
upp] bas9s ( ! great riv]s1 dur+ ! w9t]1
 melt "u ! hot sun%9e ( spr+1 !y rapidly
 rise1 #a & at l5g? ov]fl[ _! banks1    
cov]+ ! alluvial pla9 ) a va/ inl& sea1 
int]rupt$ only by ! high] ridges &      
hummocks :i* =m isl&s 9 a seem+ly       
b\ndless expanse ( wat]4  ,9 ! occurr5ce

 ( ^! annual inundations lies "o (      
sev]al resemblances betwe5 ! valley ( ! 
,euphrates & t ( ! ,nile4 ,b !re are    
important diff]5ces4 ,! "t ( ! annual   
flood is rev]s$1 ! ,nile be+ highe/ 9   
autumn & w9t]1 & l[e/ 9 spr+ & e>ly     
summ]4 ,! p]iodical ov]fl[s ( ! ,nile1  
regulat$ by ! great lake bas9s 9 ! s\?1 
are usually punctual 9 arrival1 gradual 
9 gr[?1 & b5eficial 9 op]ation4 ,no     
lakes are int]pos$ betwe5 ! m\nta9      
torr5ts ( ! upp] basis ( ! ,tigris & !  
,euphrates & _! l[] c\rses4 ,h5ce1 heavy
 ra91 or an unusually rapid ?aw 9 !     
upl&s1 gives rise to ! sudd5 irruption (
 a va/ volume ( wat] :i* n ev5 ! rapid  
,tigris1 /ill less its m sluggi%        
companion1 c c>ry (f 9 "t to prev5t     
viol5t & dang]\s ov]fl[s4 ,)\t an       
elaborate sy/em ( canalisation1 provid+ 
an escape = su* sudd5 excesses ( !      
supply ( wat]1 ! annual floods ( !      
,euphrates1 & especially ( ! ,tigris1   
mu/ always be att5d$ ) risk1 & (t5 prove
 h>mful4  ,!re are o!r peculi>ities ( ! 

,euphrates valley :i* may occasionally  
t5d to exac]bate ! evils att5dant on !  
inundations4 ,x is v subject to seismic 
di/urbances2 & ! ord9>y consequ5ces ( a 
%>p e>?quake %ock might be s]i\sly      
complicat$ by its effect on a broad %eet
 ( wat]4 ,moreov] ! ,indian ,ocean lies 
)9 ! region ( typhoons2 & if1 at !      
height ( an inundation1 a hurricane f ! 
s\?-ea/ swept up ! ,p]sian ,gulf1 driv+ 
its %all[ wat]s ^u ! delta & damm+ back 
! outfl[1 p]haps = hundr$s ( miles      
up-/ream1 a diluvial cata/rophe1 fairly 
up to ! m>k ( ,hasisadra's1 might easily
 result4 #b  ,?us !re seems to be no    
valid reason = reject+ ,hasisadra's /ory
 on physical gr\nds4 ,i d n ga!r f !    
n>rative t ! m\nta9s ( ,nizir 7 suppos$ 
to be subm]g$1 b m]ely t !y came into   
view above ! di/ant horizon ( ! wat]s1 z
 ! vessel drove 9 t direction4 ,c]ta9ly 
! %ip is n suppos$ to gr\nd on any ( _! 
high] summits1 = ,hasisadra has to asc5d
 a peak 9 ord] to (f] 8 sacrifice4 ,!   
c\ntry ( ,nizir lay on ! nor?-ea/]n side

 ( ! ,euphrates valley1 ab\t ! c\rses ( 
! two riv]s ,zab1 :i* ent] ! ,tigris :]e
 x trav]ses ! pla9 ( ,assyria "s eight  
or n9e hundr$ feet above ! sea2 &1 s f> 
z ,i c judge f maps #c & o!r s\rces (   
in=mation1 x is possible1 "u !          
circum/ances suppos$1 t su* a %ip z     
,hasisadra's might drive be=e a s\!rly  
gale1 ov] a cont9u\sly flood$ c\ntry1   
until x gr\nd$ on "s ( ! l[ hills betwe5
 :i* bo? ! l[] & ! upp] ,zab ent] ^u !  
,assyrian pla94  ,! tablet :i* conta9s !
 /ory "u consid]ation is ! elev5? ( a   
s]ies ( twelve4 ,ea* ( ^! answ]s to a   
mon?1 & to ! correspond+ sign ( !       
,zodiac4 ,! ,assyrian ye> began ) ! spr+
 equ9ox2 consequ5tly1 ! elev5? mon?1    
call$ ! ra9y1 answ]s to our             
,janu>y-,febru>y1 & to ! sign :i*       
corresponds ) our ,aqu>ius4 ,! aquatic  
adv5ture ( ,hasisadra1 !re=e1 is n      
inappropriately plac$4 ,x is curi\s1    
h[ev]1 t ! season ?us indirectly assign$
 to ! flood is n t ( ! pres5t highe/    
level ( ! riv]s4 ,x is too late = ! w9t]

 rise & too e>ly = ! spr+ floods4  ,i   
?9k x mu/ be admitt$ t1 s f>1 ! physical
 cross-exam9ation to :i* ,hasisadra has 
be5 subject$ does n break d[n 8 /ory4   
,on ! contr>y1 he proves to h kept x 9  
all ess5tial respects #d )9 ! b\nds (   
probability or possibility4 ,h[ev]1 we h
 n yet done ) him4 ,= ! conditions :i*  
obta9$ 9 ! ,euphrates valley1 f\r or    
five ?\s& ye>s ago1 may h diff]$ to su* 
an ext5t f ^? :i* n[ exi/ t we %\ld be  
able to convict him ( hav+ made up 8    
tale4 ,b "h aga9 ev]y?+ is 9 fav\r ( 8  
cr$ibility4 ,inde$1 he may claim v      
p[]ful support1 = x does n lie 9 ! m\?s 
( ^? :o accept ! au?ority ( ! ,p5tateu* 
to d5y t ! ,euphrates valley 0 :at x is1
 ev5 six ?\s& ye>s back4 ,accord+ to !  
book ( ,g5esis1 ,phrat & ,hiddekel--!   
,euphrates & ! ,tigris--are coeval )    
,p>adise4 ,an edition ( ! ,scriptures1  
rec5tly publi%$ "u high au?ority1 ) an  
elaborate app>atus ( ,helps = ! use (   
/ud5ts--& !re=e1 z ,i am b\nd to        
suppose1 purg$ ( all /atem5ts t c\ld by 

any possibility mislead ! "y--assigns ! 
ye> ,b4,c4 #djjd z ! date ( ,adam's too 
brief resid5ce 9 t locality4  ,b ,i am  
f> f dep5d+ on ?is au?ority = ! age ( ! 
,mesopotamian pla94 ,on ! contr>y1 ,i   
v5ture to rely1 ) mu* m confid5ce1 on   
ano!r k9d ( evid5ce1 :i* t5ds to %[ t ! 
age ( ! great riv]s mu/ be c>ri$ back to
 a date e>li] ?an t at :i* our +5u\s y\?
 is in/ruct$ t ! e>? came into exi/5ce4 
,=1 ! alluvial deposit hav+ be5 br\ght  
d[n by ! riv]s1 !y mu/ ne$s be old] ?an 
! pla9 x =ms1 z navvies mu/ ne$s antec$e
 ! embankm5t pa9fully built up by !     
cont5ts ( _! :eel-b>r[s4 ,= ?\s&s (     
ye>s1 heat & cold1 ra91 sn[1 & fro/1 !  
scrubb+ ( glaci]s1 & ! sc\r+ ( torr5ts  
lad5 ) s& & gravel1 h be5 we>+ d[n !    
rocks ( ! upp] bas9s ( ! riv]s1 ov] an  
area ( _m ?\s& squ>e miles2 & ^!        
mat]ials1 gr\nd to f9e p[d] 9 ! c\rse ( 
_! long j\rney1 h sl[ly subsid$1 z !    
wat] :i* c>ri$ !m spread out & lo/ its  
velocity 9 ! sea4 ,x is because ?is     
process is /ill go+ on t ! %ore ( !     

delta con/antly encroa*es on ! head ( ! 
gulf #e into :i* ! two riv]s are        
con/antly ?r[+ ! wa/e ( ,arm5ia & (     
,kurdi/an4 ,h5ce1 z might be expect$1   
fluviatile & m>9e %ells are common 9 !  
alluvial deposit2 & ,l(tus f\nd /rata1  
conta9+ subfossil m>9e %ells ( species  
n[ liv+1 9 ! ,p]sian ,gulf1 at ,w>ka1   
two hundr$ miles 9 a /raight l9e f !    
%ore ( ! delta4 #f ,x foll[s t1 if a    
tru/wor?y e/imate ( ! av]age rate ( gr[?
 ( ! alluvial c be =m$1 ! l[e/ limit 7by
 no means ! highe/ limit7 ( age ( !     
riv]s c be det]m9$4 ,all su* e/imates   
are beset ) s\rces ( error ( v v>i\s    
k9ds2 & ! be/ ( !m c only be reg>d$ z   
approximations to ! tru?4 ,b ,i ?9k x w 
be q safe to assume a maximum rate (    
gr[? ( f\r miles 9 a c5tury = ! l[] half
 ( ! alluvial pla94  ,n[1 ! cycle (     
n>ratives ( :i* ,hasisadra's adv5ture   
=ms a "p conta9s allusions n only to    
,surippak1 ! exact position ( :i* is    
d\btful1 b to o!r cities1 su* z ,ere*4  
,! va/ ru9s at ! pres5t village ( ,w>ka 

h be5 c>efully explor$ & det]m9$ to be  
all t rema9s ( t once great & fl\ri%+   
city1 ,ere* ! l(ty4 ,suppos+ t ! two    
hundr$ miles ( alluvial c\ntry1 :i*     
sep>ates !m f ! head ( ! ,p]sian ,gulf  
at pres5t1 h be5 deposit$ at ! v high   
rate ( f\r miles 9 a c5tury1 x w foll[ t
 #djjj ye>s ago1 or ab\t ! ye> #bajj    
,b4,c41 ! city ( ,ere* /ill lay =ty     
miles inl&4 ,inde$1 ! city might h be5  
built a ?\s& ye>s e>li]4 ,moreov]1 !re  
is pl5ty ( indep5d5t ar*aeological & o!r
 evid5ce t 9 ! :ole ?\s& ye>s1 #bjjj to 
#cjjj ,b4,c1 ! alluvial pla9 0 inhabit$ 
by a num]\s p1 among :om indu/ry1 art1 &
 lit]ature _h atta9$ a v consid]able    
developm5t4 ,& x c be %[n t ! physical  
conditions & ! climate ( ! ,euphrates   
valley1 at t "t1 mu/ h be5 extremely    
simil> to :at !y are n[4  ,?us1 once m1 
we rea* ! conclusion t1 z a "q (        
physical probability1 !re is no gr\nd = 
object+ to ! reality ( ,hasisadra's     
adv5ture4 ,x w\ld be unreasonable to    
d\bt t su* a flood might h happ5$1 & t  

su* a p]son might h escap$ 9 ! way      
describ$1 any "t dur+ ! la/ #ejjj ye>s4 
,& if ! po/ulate ( loose ?9k]s 9 se>* ( 
sci5tific confirmations ( que/ionable   
n>ratives--pro( t an ev5t may h happ5$  
is evid5ce t x did happ5--is to be      
accept$1 surely ,hasisadra's /ory is    
confirm$ by mod]n sci5tific inve/igation
 beyond all cavil4 ,h[ev]1 x may be well
 to pause be=e adopt+ ?is conclusion1   
because ! orig9al /ory1 ( :i* ,i h set  
=? only ! broad outl9es1 conta9s a great
 _m /atem5ts :i* re/ ^u j ! same        
f\ndation z ^? cit$1 & yet are h>dly    
likely to meet ) g5]al acceptance4 ,!   
acc\nt ( ! circum/ances :i* l$ up to !  
flood1 ( ^? "u :i* ,hasisadra's adv5ture
 0 made kn[n to 8 desc5dant1 ( c]ta9    
rem>kable incid5ts be=e & aft] ! flood1 
are insep>ably b\nd up ) ! details      
already giv54 ,& ,i am unable to discov]
 any ju/ification = arbitr>ily pick+ out
 "s ( ^! & dubb+ !m hi/orical v]ities1  
:ile reject+ ! re/ z leg5d>y fictions4  
,!y /& or fall toge!r4  ,be=e proce$+ to

 ! consid]ation ( ^! less satisfactory  
details1 x is ne$ful to rem>k t         
,hasisadra's adv5ture is a m]e episode 9
 a cycle ( /ories ( :i* a p]sonage1 ^:  
"n is provisionally read ,izdub>1 is !  
c5tre4 ,! nature ( ,izdub> hov]s vaguely
 betwe5 ! h]oic & ! div9e2 sometimes he 
seems a m]e man1 sometimes approa*es s  
closely to ! div9ities ( fire & ( ! sun 
z to be h>dly di/+ui%able f !m4 ,z ,i h 
already m5tion$1 ! tablet :i* sets =?   
,hasisadra's p]ils is "o ( twelve2 &1   
s9ce ea* ( ^! repres5ts a mon? & be>s a 
/ory appropriate to ! correspond+ sign (
 ! ,zodiac1 great weight mu/ be atta*$  
to ,sir ,h5ry ,rawl9son's sugge/ion t ! 
epos ( ,izdub> is a poetical embodim5t (
 sol> my?ology4  ,9 ! e>li] books ( !   
epos1 ! h]o1 n cont5t ) reject+ ! pr(f]$
 love ( ! ,*aldaean ,aphrodite1 ,i/>1   
freely expresses 8 v l[ e/imate ( h] "*2
 & x is int]e/+ to obs]ve t1 ev5 9 ?is  
e>ly /age ( human exp]i5ce1 m5 _h rea*$ 
a conception ( t law ( nature :i*       
expresses ! inevitable consequ5ces ( an 

imp]fect appreciation ( fem99e *>ms4 ,! 
injur$ goddess makes ,izdub>'s life a   
burd5 to him1 until at la/1 sick 9 body 
& sorry 9 m9d1 he is driv5 to seek aid &
 com=t f 8 =be>s 9 ! _w ( spirits4 ,s   
?is antitype ( ,odysseus j\rneys to !   
%ore ( ! wat]s ( dea?1 & !re takes %ip )
 a ,*aldaean ,*>on1 :o c>ries him )9    
hail ( 8 ance/or ,hasisadra4 ,t v5]able 
p]sonage n only gives ,izdub>           
in/ructions h[ to rega9 8 heal?1 b tells
 him1 some:at a propos des bottes 7aft] 
! mann] ( v5]able p]sonages71 ! long    
/ory ( 8 p]il\s adv5ture2 & h[ x befell 
t he1 8 wife1 & 8 /e]sman came to dwell 
among ! bless$ gods1 )\t pass+ ?r\gh !  
portals ( dea? l ord9>y mortals4        
,accord+ to ! full /ory1 ! s9s ( mank9d 
_h become griev\s2 &1 at a c\ncil ( !   
gods1 x 0 resolv$ to extirpate ! :ole   
race by a great flood4 ,&1 once m1 let u
 note ! uni=mity ( human exp]i5ce4 ,x   
w\ld appe> t1 f\r ?\s& ye>s ago1 !      
obligations ( confid5tial int]c\rse ab\t
 matt]s ( /ate 7 sometimes violat$--(   

c\rse f ! be/ ( motives4 ,ea1 "o ( !    
?ree *iefs ( ! ,*aldaean ,pan!on1 ! god 
( ju/ice & ( practical wisdom1 0 also ! 
god ( ! sea2 &1 yield+ to ! temptation  
to d a fri5d a good turn1 irresi/ible to
 k9dly seaf>+ folks ( all ranks1 he w>n$
 ,hasisadra ( :at 0 com+4 ,:5 ,bel      
subsequ5tly reproa*$ him = ?is brea* (  
confid5ce1 ,ea def5d$ himself by decl>+ 
t he did n tell ,hasisadra any?+2 he    
only s5t him a dream4 ,?is 0 und\bt$ly  
sail+ v ne> ! w9d2 b ! attribution ( a  
little b5evol5t obliquity ( conduct to  
"o ( ! highe/ ( ! gods is a trifle      
comp>$ ) ! truly ,hom]ic an?ropomorphism
 :i* *>act]ises o!r p>ts ( ! epos4  ,!  
,*aldan deities are1 9 tru?1 extremely  
human2 &1 occasionally1 ! n>rator does n
 scruple to repres5t !m 9 a mann] :i* is
 n only inconsi/5t ) our idea ( rev]5ce1
 b is sometimes di/9ctly humor\s4 #g ,:5
 ! /orm is at its height1 he exhibits !m
 fly+ 9 a /ate ( panic to ,anu1 ! god ( 
heav51 & cr\*+ be=e 8 portal l fright5$ 
dogs4 ,z ! smoke ( ,hasisadra's         

sacrifice arises1 ! gods1 attract$ by ! 
sweet sav\r1 are comp>$ to sw>ms (      
flies4 ,i h already rem>k$ t ! lady     
,i/>'s reputation is torn to %r$s2 :ile 
%e & ,ea scold ,bel h&somely = 8 f]ocity
 & inju/ice 9 de/roy+ ! innoc5t along ) 
! guilty4 ,"o is rem9d$ ( ,"h hung up ) 
weight$ heels2 ( mislead+ dreams s5t by 
,zeus2 ( ,ares h[l+ z he flies f !      
,trojan battlefield2 & ( ! v que/ionable
 deal+s ( ,aphrodite ) ,hel5 & ,p>is4   
,b to return to ! /ory4 ,bel 01 at fir/1
 exclud$ f ! sacrifice z ! au?or ( all !
 mis*ief2 :i* really 0 some:at h>d ^u   
him1 s9ce ! o!r gods agre$ to 8         
proposal4 ,b ev5tually a reconciliation 
takes place2 ! great b[ ( ,anu is       
display$ 9 ! heav5s2 ,bel agrees t he w 
be satisfi$ ) :at w>1 pe/il5ce1 fam9e1 &
 wild bea/s c d 9 ! way ( de/roy+ m52 & 
t1 h5ce=w>d1 he w n h rec\rse to        
extraord9>y measures4 ,f9ally1 x is ,bel
 himself :o1 by way ( mak+ am5ds1       
transports ,hasisadra1 8 wife1 & !      
fai?ful ,nes-,hea to ! abode ( ! gods4  

,x is z indubitable z x is              
incompreh5sible to mo/ ( u1 t1 = ?\s&s (
 ye>s1 a great p1 q z intellig5t z we   
are1 & liv+ 9 z high a /ate (           
civilisation z t :i* _h be5 atta9$ 9 !  
great] "p ( ,europe a few c5turies ago1 
ent]ta9$ n ! slighte/ d\bt t ,anu1 ,bel1
 ,ea1 ,i/>1 & ! re/1 7 real p]sonages1  
possess$ ( b\ndless p[]s = good & evil4 
,! s9c]ity ( ! mon>*s ^: inscriptions   
gratefully attribute _! victories to    
,m]oda*1 or to ,assur1 is z little to be
 que/ion$ z t ( ! au?ors ( ! hymns &    
p5it5tial psalms :i* give full          
expression to ! heights & dep?s (       
religi\s devotion4 ,an infidel bold     
en\gh to d5y ! exi/5ce1 or to d\bt !    
influ5ce1 ( ^! deities probably did n   
exi/ 9 all ,mesopotamia2 & ev5          
con/ructive rebellion aga9/ _! au?ority 
0 apt to end 9 ! deprivation1 n m]ely ( 
! good "n1 b ( ! sk9 ( ! (f5d]4 ,!      
adh]5ts ( mod]n !ological sy/ems dismiss
 ^! objects ( ! love & fe> ( a hundr$   
g5]ations ( _! equals1 (fh&1 z gods ( ! 

hea!n1 m]e creations ( a wick$ &        
idolatr\s imag9ation2 &1 along ) !m1 !y 
dis[n1 z s5seless1 ! crude !ology1 ) its
 gross an?ropomorphism & its l[ e?ical  
conception ( ! div9ity1 :i* satisfi$ !  
pi\s s\ls ( ,*aldaea4  ,i imag9e1 ?\gh  
,i d n presume to be sure1 t any        
endeav\r to save ! intellectual & moral 
cr$it ( ,*aldaean religion1 by sugge/+ !
 application to x ( t univ]sal solv5t ( 
absurdities1 ! allegorical me?od1 w\ld  
be sc\t$2 ,i w n ev5 sugge/ t any +5uity
 c be equal to ! discov]y ( ! antitypes 
( ! p]sonifications effect$ by !        
religi\s imag9ation ( lat] ages1 9 !    
triad ,anu1 ,ea1 & ,bel1 /ill less 9    
,i/>4 ,!re=e1 unless "s plausible       
reconciliatory s*eme %\ld be prop\nd$ by
 a ,neo-,*aldaean devotee 7&1 )         
,neo-,buddhi/s to ! =e1 ?is supposition 
is n s wild z x looks71 ,i suppose !    
mod]ns w cont9ue to smile1 9 a sup]ior  
way1 at ! griev\s absurdity ( !         
poly!i/ic idolatry ( ^! anci5t p4  ,x is
 probably a cong5ital abs5ce ( "s       

faculty :i* ,i ought to possess :i*     
)holds me f adopt+ ?is summ>y proc$ure4 
,b ,i am n a%am$ to %>e ,david ,hume's  
want ( ability to discov] t poly!ism is1
 9 itself1 altoge!r absurd4 ,if we are  
b\nd1 or p]mitt$1 to judge ! gov]nm5t ( 
! _w by human /&>ds1 x appe>s to me t   
directorates are prov$1 by famili>      
exp]i5ce1 to conduct ! l>ge/ & ! mo/    
complicat$ conc]ns q z well z solit>y   
despots4 ,i h nev] be5 able to see :y ! 
hypo!sis ( a div9e syndicate %\ld be    
f\nd guilty ( innate absurdity4 ,^?     
,assyrians1 9 p>ticul>1 :o held ,assur  
to be ! "o supreme & creative deity1 to 
:om all ! o!r sup]nal p[]s 7 subord9ate1
 might fairly ask t ! ess5tial diff]5ce 
betwe5 _! sy/em & t :i* obta9s among !  
great majority ( _! mod]n !ological     
critics %\ld be demon/rat$4 ,9 my       
appreh5sion1 x is n ! quantity1 b !     
quality1 ( ! p]sons1 among :om !        
attributes ( div9ity are di/ribut$1 :i* 
is ! s]i\s matt]4 ,if ! div9e might is  
associat$ ) no high] e?ical attributes  

?an ^? :i* obta9 among ord9>y m52 if !  
div9e intellig5ce is suppos$ to be s    
imp]fect t x _c =esee ! consequ5ces (   
its own contrivances2 if ! sup]nal p[]s 
c become furi\sly angry ) ! creatures ( 
_! omnipot5ce &1 9 _! s5seless wra?1    
de/roy ! innoc5t along ) ! guilty2 or if
 !y c %[ !mselves to be z easily placat$
 by pres5ts & gross flatt]y z any       
ori5tal or occid5tal despot2 if1 9 %ort1
 !y are only /rong] ?an mortal m5 & no  
bett]1 z x mu/ be admitt$ ,hasisadra's  
deities prov$ !mselves to be--!n1       
surely1 x is "t = u to look some:at     
closely into _! cr$5tials1 & to accept  
none b conclusive evid5ce ( _! exi/5ce4 
,to ! majority ( my respect$            
contempor>ies ?is reason+ w d\btless    
appe> feeble1 if n worse4 ,h[ev]1 to my 
m9d1 su* are ! only argum5ts by :i* !   
,*aldaean !ology c be satisfactorily    
upset4 ,s f> f !re be+ any gr\nd = !    
belief t ,ea1 ,anu1 & ,bel are1 or ev]  
71 real entities1 x seems to me q       
inf9itely m probable t !y are products (

 ! religi\s imag9ation1 su* z are to be 
f\nd ev]y:]e & 9 all ages1 s long z t   
imag9ation riots uncontroll$ by         
sci5tific criticism4  ,x is on ^! gr\nds
 t ,i v5ture1 at ! risk ( be+ call$ an  
a!i/ by ! gho/s ( all ! pr9cipals ( all 
! colleges ( ,babylonia1 or by _! liv+  
successors among ! ,neo-,*aldaeans1 if t
 sect %\ld arise1 to express my utt]    
disbelief 9 ! gods ( ,hasisadra4 ,h5ce1 
x foll[s1 t ,i f9d ,hasisadra's acc\nt (
 _! %>e 9 8 adv5ture incr$ible2 &1 z !  
physical details ( ! flood are          
insep>able f its !ophanic accompanim5ts1
 & are gu>ante$ by ! same au?ority1 ,i  
mu/ let !m g ) ! re/4 ,! consi/5cy ( su*
 details ) probability c\nts = no?+4 ,! 
inhabitants ( ,*aldaea mu/ always h be5 
famili> ) inundations2 probably no      
g5]ation fail$ to witness an inundation 
:i* rose unusually high1 or 0 r5d]$     
s]i\s by co9cid5t atmosph]ic or o!r     
di/urbances4 ,& ! memory ( ! g5]al      
features ( any exceptionally sev]e &    
deva/at+ flood1 w\ld be pres]v$ by      

popul> tradition = long ages4 ,:at1 !n1 
c\ld be m natural ?an t a ,*aldaean poet
 %\ld seek = ! incid5ts ( a great       
cata/rophe among su* ph5om5a8 ,9 :at o!r
 way ?an by su* an appeal to _! exp]i5ce
 c\ld he s surely awak5 9 8 audi5ce !   
tragic pity & t]ror8 ,:at possible gr\nd
 is !re = insi/+ t he mu/ h _h "s       
individual good 9 view1 & t 8 hi/ory is 
hi/orical1 9 ! s5se t ! acc\nt ( !      
effects ( a hurricane 9 ! ,bay ( ,b5gal1
 9 ! ye> #ahge1 is hi/orical8   ,m ?an  
?ree c5turies aft] ! "t ( ,assurbanipal1
 ,b]osus ( ,babylon1 born 9 ! reign (   
,alex&] ! ,great1 wrote an acc\nt ( !   
hi/ory ( 8 c\ntry 9 ,greek4 ,! "w (     
,b]osus has vani%$2 b extracts f x--h[  
f> fai?ful is unc]ta9--h be5 pres]v$ by 
lat] writ]s4 ,among ^! occurs !         
well-kn[n /ory ( ! ,deluge ( ,xisu?ros1 
:i* is evid5tly built ^u ! same         
f\ndation z t ( ,hasisadra4 ,! incid5ts 
( ! div9e w>n+1 ! build+ ( ! %ip1 ! s5d+
 out ( birds1 ! asc5sion ( ! h]o1 betray
 _! common orig94 ,b /ories1 l ,madeira1

 acquire a height5$ flav\r ) "t &       
travel2 & ! v]sion ( ,b]osus is         
*>act]is$ by ^? circum/antial           
improbabilities :i* habitually ga!r r\nd
 ! leg5d ( a leg5d4 ,! lat] n>rator kn[s
 ! exact day ( ! mon? on :i* ! flood    
began4 ,! dim5sions ( ! %ip are /at$ )  
,mun*aus5ian precision at five /adia by 
two--say1 half by "o-fif? ( an ,engli%  
mile4 ,! %ip runs agr\nd among !        
,gordaean m\nta9s to ! s\? ( ,lake ,van1
 9 ,arm5ia1 beyond ! limits ( any       
imag9able real inundation ( ! ,euphrates
 valley2 &1 by way ( climax1 we h !     
ass]tion1 wor?y ( ! sailor :o said t he 
_h br\ght up "o ( ,ph>aoh's *>iot :eels 
on ! fluke ( 8 an*or 9 ! ,r$ ,sea1 t    
pilgrims visit$ ! locality & made       
amulets ( ! bitum5 :i* !y scrap$ (f f ! 
/ill extant rema9s ( ! mighty %ip (     
,xisu?ros4  ,suppose t "s lat]          
polyhi/or1 z devoid ( critical faculty z
 mo/ ( 8 tribe1 _h f\nd ! v]sion (      
,b]osus1 z well z ano!r mu* ne>] !      
orig9al /ory2 t1 hav+ too mu* respect = 

8 au?orities to make up a t]tium quid ( 
8 own1 out ( ! mat]ials (f]$1 he foll[$ 
a practice1 common en\gh among anci5t &1
 p>ticul>ly1 among ,semitic hi/orians1 (
 divid+1 bo? into fragm5ts & piec+ ^!   
toge!r1 )\t tr\bl+ himself v mu* ab\t ^?
 result+ repetitions & inconsi/5cies2 ! 
product ( su* a primitive editorial     
op]ation w\ld be a n>rative analog\s to 
t :i* treats ( ! ,noa*ian deluge 9 !    
book ( ,g5esis4 ,= ! ,p5tateu*al /ory is
 indubitably a pat*work1 compos$ (      
fragm5ts ( at lea/ two1 diff]5t & p>tly 
discrepant1 n>ratives1 quilt$ toge!r 9  
su* an in>ti/ic fa%ion t ! seams rema9  
conspicu\s4 ,&1 9 ! matt] (             
circum/antial exagg]ation1 x 9 "s       
respects excels ev5 ! second-h& leg5d ( 
,b]osus4  ,!re is a c]ta9 practicality  
ab\t ! notion ( tak+ refuge f floods &  
/orms 9 a %ip provid$ ) a /e]sman2 b1   
surely1 no "o :o _h ev] se5 m wat] ?an  
he c\ld wade ?r\gh w\ld dream ( fac+ ev5
 a mod]ate breeze1 9 a huge ?ree-/ori$  
c(f]1 or box1 ?ree hundr$ cubits long1  

fifty wide & ?irty high1 left to drift  
)\t rudd] or pilot4 #h ,n cont5t ) giv+ 
! exact ye> ( ,noah's age 9 :i* ! flood 
began1 ! ,p5tateu*al /ory adds ! mon? & 
! day ( ! mon?4 ,x is ! ,deity himself  
:o %uts 9 ,noah4 ,! mode/ week assign$  
to ! full deluge 9 ,hasisadra's /ory    
becomes =ty days1 9 "o ( ! ,p5tateu*al  
acc\nts1 & a hundr$ & fifty 9 ! o!r4 ,! 
flood1 :i*1 9 ! v]sion ( ,b]osus1 has   
gr[n s high z to ca/ ! %ip among !      
m\nta9s ( ,arm5ia1 is improv$ ^u 9 !    
,hebrew acc\nt until x cov]s all ! high 
hills t 7 "u ! :ole heav52 &1 :5 x beg9s
 to subside1 ! ark is left /r&$ on !    
summit ( ! highe/ peak1 commonly        
id5tifi$ ) ,ar>at itself4  ,:ile !      
details ( ,hasisadra's adv5ture are1 at 
lea/1 compatible ) ! physical conditions
 ( ! ,euphrates valley1 &1 z we h se51  
involve no cata/rophe great] ?an su* z  
might be br\ght "u ^? conditions1 _m ( !
 v precisely /at$ details ( ,noah's     
flood contradict "s ( ! be/ e/abli%$    
results ( sci5tific inquiry4  ,if x is  

c]ta9 t ! alluvium ( ! ,mesopotamian    
pla9 has be5 br\ght d[n by ! ,tigris & !
 ,euphrates1 !n x is no less c]ta9 t !  
physical /ructure ( ! :ole valley has   
p]si/$1 )\t mat]ial modification1 = _m  
?\s& ye>s be=e ! date assign$ to !      
flood4 ,if ! summits1 ev5 ( ! mod]ately 
elevat$ ridges :i* imm$iately b\nd !    
valley1 /ill m ^? ( ! ,kurdi% & ,arm5ian
 m\nta9s1 7 ev] cov]$ by wat]1 = ev5 =ty
 days1 t wat] mu/ h ext5d$ ov] ! :ole   
e>?4 ,if ! e>? 0 ?us cov]$1 any:]e      
betwe5 #djjj & #ejjj ye>s ago1 or1 at   
any o!r "t1 s9ce ! high] t]re/rial      
animals came into exi/5ce1 !y mu/ h be5 
de/roy$ f ! :ole face ( x1 z !          
,p5tateu*al acc\nt decl>es !y 7 ?ree    
sev]al times 7,g5esis vii4 #ba1 #bb1    
#bc71 9 language :i* _c be made m       
emphatic1 or m solemn1 ?an x is2 & !    
pres5t population mu/ consi/ ( !        
desc5dants ( emigrants f ! ark4 ,&1 if t
 is ! case1 !n1 z has (t5 be5 po9t$ out1
 ! slo?s ( ! ,brazilian =e/s1 ! kang>oos
 ( ,au/ralia1 ! great tortoises ( !     

,galapagos isl&s1 mu/ h respectively    
hobbl$1 hopp$1 & crawl$ ov] _m ?\s&     
miles ( l& & sea f ,ar>at to _! pres5t  
habitations4 ,?us1 ! unque/ionable facts
 ( ! geographical di/ribution ( rec5t l&
 animals1 alone1 =m an insup]able       
ob/acle to ! acceptance ( ! ass]tion t !
 k9ds ( animals compos+ ! pres5t        
t]re/rial fauna h be51 at any "t1       
univ]sally de/roy$ 9 ! way describ$ 9 ! 
,p5tateu*4  ,x is ^u ?is & o!r          
unimpea*able gr\nds t1 z ,i v5tur$ to   
say "s "t ago1 p]sons :o are duly       
conv]sant ) ev5 ! elem5ts ( natural     
sci5ce decl9e to take ! ,noa*ian deluge 
s]i\sly2 & t1 z ,i also po9t$ out1 c&id 
!ologians1 :o1 )\t special sci5tific k1 
h appreciat$ ! weight ( sci5tific       
argum5ts1 h long s9ce giv5 x up4 ,b1 z  
,goe! has rem>k$1 !re is no?+ m t]rible 
?an en]getic ignorance2 #i & !re are1   
ev5 yet1 v en]getic p1 :o are nei!r     
c&id1 nor cle>-head$1 nor !ologians1    
/ill less prop]ly in/ruct$ 9 ! elem5ts (
 natural sci5ce1 :o make prodigi\s ef=ts

 to obscure ! effect ( ^! pla9 tru?s1 & 
to conceal _! real surr5d] ( ! hi/orical
 "* ( ,noah's deluge "u cov] ( ! smoke (
 a great dis*>ge ( pseudosci5tific      
artill]y4 ,!y seem to imag9e t ! pro(s  
:i* ab\nd 9 all p>ts ( ! _w1 ( l>ge     
oscillations ( ! relative level ( l& &  
sea1 comb9$ ) ! probability t1 :5 !     
sea-level 0 ris+1 sudd5 incursions ( !  
sea l t :i* broke 9 ov] ,holl& & =m$ !  
,zuyd] ,zee1 may h (t5 occurr$1 c be    
made to look l evid5ce t some?+ t1 by   
c\rtesy1 might be call$ a g5]al ,deluge 
has really tak5 place4 ,_! discursive   
en]gy drags misund]/ood tru? into _!    
s]vice2 & ! glacial epo* is z sure to   
crop up among !m z ,k+ ,*>les's head 9 a
 fam\s memorial--) ab\t z mu*           
appropriat5ess4 ,! old /ory ( ! rais$   
bea* on ,moel ,tryfa5 is trott$ out2    
?\gh1 ev5 if ! facts are z yet rightly  
int]pret$1 !re is n a %ad[ ( evid5ce t !
 *ange ( sea-level 9 t locality 0 sudd51
 or t glacial ,wel%m5 w\ld h kn[n x 0   
tak+ place4 #aj ,surely x is difficult  

to p]ceive ! relevancy ( br++ 9 some?+ t
 happ5$ 9 ! glacial epo* 7if x did      
happ57 to acc\nt = ! tradition ( a flood
 9 ! ,euphrates valley betwe5 #bjjj &   
#cjjj ,b4,c4 ,b ! date ( ! ,noa*ian     
flood is solidly fix$ by ! sole au?ority
 = x2 no %uffl+ ( ! *ronological data w 
c>ry x s f> back z #cjjj ,b4,c42 & !    
,hebrew epos agrees ) ! ,*aldaean 9     
plac+ x aft] ! developm5t ( a some:at   
advanc$ civilisation4 ,! only au?ority =
 ! ,noa*ian deluge assures u t1 be=e x  
visit$ ! e>?1 ,ca9 _h built cities2     
,jubal _h inv5t$ h>ps & organs2 :ile    
mank9d _h advanc$ s f> beyond !         
neoli?ic1 nay ev5 ! bronze1 /age t      
,tubal-ca9 0 a work] 9 iron4 ,!re=e1 if 
! ,noa*ian leg5d is to be tak5 = !      
hi/ory ( an ev5t :i* happ5$ 9 ! glacial 
epo*1 we mu/ revise our notions (       
plei/oc5e civilisation4 ,on ! o!r h&1 if
 ! ,p5tateu*al /ory only means some?+ q 
diff]5t1 t happ5$ some:]e else1 ?\s&s ( 
ye>s e>li]1 dress$ up1 :at becomes ( its
 cr$it z hi/ory8 ,i wond] :at w\ld be   

said to a mod]n hi/orian :o ass]t$ t    
,pek9 0 burnt d[n 9 #ahhf1 & !n tri$ to 
ju/ify ! ass]tion by adduc+ evid5ce ( ! 
,great ,fire ( ,london 9 #afff4 ,yet !  
attempt to save ! cr$it ( ! ,noa*ian    
/ory by ref]5ce to some?+ :i* is suppos$
 to h happ5$ 9 ! f> nor?1 9 ! glacial   
epo*1 is f> m prepo/]\s4  ,moreov]1 ^!  
du/-rais+ dialecticians ignore "s ( !   
mo/ important & well-kn[n facts :i* be> 
^u ! "q4 ,any?+ m ?an a p>o*ial         
acqua9tance ) physical geography &      
geology w\ld suffice to rem9d its       
possessor t ! ,holy ,l& itself (f]s a   
/&+ prote/ aga9/ br++ su* a deluge z t (
 ,noah any:]e ne> x1 ei!r 9 hi/orical   
times or 9 ! c\rse ( t plei/oc5e p]iod1 
( :i* ! great ice age =m$ a "p4  ,judaea
 & ,galilee1 ,moab & ,gilead1 occupy "p 
( t ext5sive tablel& at ! summit ( !    
we/]n b\nd>y ( ! ,euphrates valley1 to  
:i* ,i h already ref]r$4 ,if t valley _h
 ev] be5 fill$ ) wat] to a height       
suffici5t1 n inde$ to cov] a ?ird (     
,ar>at1 9 ! nor?1 or half ( "s ( !      

m\nta9s ( ! ,p]sian fronti] 9 ! ea/1 b  
to rea* ev5 f\r or five ?\s& feet1 x mu/
 h /ood ov] ! ,pale/9ian hog's back1 & h
 fill$1 up to ! brim1 e depression on   
its surface4 ,!re=e x c\ld n h fail$ to 
fill t rem>kable tr5* 9 :i* ! ,dead     
,sea1 ! ,jordan1 & ! ,sea ( ,galilee    
lie1 & :i* is kn[n z ! ,jordan-,arabah  
valley4  ,?is long & deep holl[ ext5ds m
 ?an #bjj miles1 f ne> ! site ( anci5t  
,dan 9 ! nor?1 to ! wat]-p>t+ at ! head 
( ! ,wady ,arabah 9 ! s\?2 & its deepe/ 
"p1 at ! bottom ( ! bas9 ( ! ,dead ,sea1
 lies #bejj feet bel[ ! surface ( !     
adjac5t ,m$it]ranean4 ,! l[e/ portion ( 
! rim ( ! ,jordan-,arabah valley is     
situat$ at ! village ( ,el ,fuleh1 #beg 
feet above ! ,m$it]ranean4 ,ev]y:]e else
 ! circumjac5t heights rise to a v mu*  
great] altitude4 ,h5ce1 ( ! wat] :i*    
/ood ov] ! ,syrian tablel&1 :5 z mu*    
dra9$ (f z c\ld run away1 en\gh w\ld    
rema9 to =m a ,m]e )\t an outlet1 #bgeg 
feet deep1 ov] ! pres5t site ( ! ,dead  
,sea4 ,f ?is "t =?1 ! level ( !         

,pale/9ian m]e c\ld be l[]$ only by     
evaporation4 ,x is an extremely int]e/+ 
fact1 :i* has happily escap$ capture = !
 purposes ( ! en]getic misund]/&+1 t !  
valley1 at "o "t1 0 fill$1 c]ta9ly )9   
#aej feet ( ?is height--probably high]4 
,& x is almo/ equally c]ta91 t ! "t at  
:i* ?is great ,jordan-,arabah m]e rea*$ 
its highe/ level co9cides ) ! glacial   
epo*4 ,b !n ! evid5ce :i* goes to prove 
?is1 also leads to ! conclusion t ?is   
/ate ( ?+s obta9$ at a p]iod consid]ably
 old] ?an ev5 #djjj ,b4,c41 :5 ! _w1    
accord+ to ! ,helps 7or %all we say     
,h9drances7 provid$ = ! simple /ud5t ( !
 ,bible1 0 creat$2 t x 0 n br\ght ab\t  
by any diluvial cata/rophe1 b 0 ! result
 ( a *ange 9 ! relative activities (    
c]ta9 natural op]ations :i* are quietly 
go+ on n[2 & t1 s9ce ! level ( ! m]e    
began to s9k1 _m ?\s& ye>s ago1 no s]i\s
 cata/rophe ( any description has       
affect$ ! valley4  ,! evid5ce t !       
,jordan-,arabah valley really 0 once    
fill$ ) wat]1 ! surface ( :i* rea*$ )9  

#afj feet ( ! level ( ! pass ( ,jezrael1
 & possibly /ood high]1 is ?is3 ,rema9s 
( alluvial /rata1 conta9+ %ells ( !     
fre%wat] mollusks :i* /ill inhabit !    
valley1 worn d[n into t]races by waves  
:i* long rippl$ at ! same level1 &      
furr[$ by ! *annels excavat$ by mod]n   
ra9falls1 h be5 f\nd at ! =m] height2 & 
!y are repeat$1 at int]vals1 l[] d[n1   
until ! ,ghor1 or pla9 ( ! ,jordan1     
itself an alluvial deposit1 is rea*$4   
,^! /rata atta9 a consid]able ?ickness2 
& !y indicate t ! epo* at :i* ! fre%wat]
 m]e ( ,pale/9e rea*$ its highe/ level  
is extremely remote2 t its dim9ution has
 tak5 place v sl[ly1 & ) p]iods ( re/1  
dur+ :i* ! fir/ =m$ deposits 7 cut d[n  
into t]races4 ,?is conclusion is /rik+ly
 borne out by o!r facts4 ,a volcanic    
region /ret*es f ,galilee to ,gilead & !
 ,hauran1 on ea* side ( ! nor!rn end ( !
 valley4 ,"s ( ! /reams ( basaltic lava 
:i* h be5 ?r[n out f its crat]s & clefts
 9 times ( :i* hi/ory has no record1 h  
run a?w>t ! c\rse ( ! ,jordan itself1 or

 ( t ( "s ( its tribut>y /reams4 ,! lava
 /reams1 !re=e1 mu/ be ( lat] date ?an !
 depressions !y fill4 ,& yet1 :]e !y h  
?us tempor>ily damm$ ! ,jordan & !      
,j]muk1 ^! /reams h _h "t to cut ?r\gh !
 h>d basalts & lay b>e ! b$s1 ov] :i*1  
be=e ! lava /reams invad$ !m1 !y fl[$4  
,9 fact1 ! antiquity ( ! pres5t         
,jordan-,arabah valley1 z a holl[ 9 a   
tablel&1 out ( rea* ( ! sea1 & tr\bl$ by
 no diluvial or o!r di/urbances1 beyond 
! volcanic eruptions ( ,gilead & (      
,galilee1 is va/1 ev5 z e/imat$ by a    
geological /&>d4 ,no m>9e deposits (    
lat] ?an mioc5e age occur 9 or ab\t x2 &
 !re is e reason to believe t !         
,syro-,arabian plateau has be5 dry l&1  
?r\gh\t ! plioc5e & lat] epo*s1 d[n to !
 pres5t "t4 ,rais$ bea*es1 conta9+ rec5t
 %ells1 on ! ,levant9e %ores ( !        
,m$it]ranean & on ^? ( ! ,r$ ,sea1      
te/ify to a geologically rec5t *ange ( !
 sea level to ! ext5t ( #bej or #cjj    
feet1 probably produc$ by ! sl[         
elevation ( ! l&2 &1 z ,i h already     

rem>k$1 ! alluvial pla9 ( ! ,euphrates &
 ,tigris appe>s to h be5 affect$ 9 !    
same way1 ?\gh seem+ly to a less ext5t4 
,b ( viol5t1 or cata/rophic1 *ange !re  
is no trace4 ,ev5 ! volcanic outbur/s h 
fl[$ 9 ev5 %eets ov] ! old l& surface2 &
 ! long l9es ( ! horizontal t]races :i* 
rema91 te/ify to ! geological           
insignificance ( su* e>?quakes z h tak5 
place4 ,x is1 inde$1 possible t !       
orig9al =mation ( ! valley may h be5    
det]m9$ by ! well-kn[n fault1 along :i* 
! we/]n rocks are relatively depress$ & 
! ea/]n elevat$4 ,b1 :e!r t fault 0     
effect$ sl[ly or quickly1 & :5ev] x came
 into exi/5ce1 ! excavation ( ! valley  
to its pres5t wid?1 no less ?an !       
sculptur+ ( its /eep walls & ( !        
innum]able deep rav9es :i* score !m d[n 
to ! v bottom1 are indubitably due to ! 
op]ation ( ra9 & /reams1 dur+ an enorm\s
 l5g? ( "t1 )\t int]ruption or          
di/urbance ( any magnitude4 ,! alluvial 
deposits :i* h be5 m5tion$ are cont9u$  
into ! lat]al rav9es1 & h m or less     

fill$ !m4 ,b1 s9ce ! wat]s h be5 l[]$1  
^! deposits h be5 cut d[n to great      
dep?s1 & are /ill be+ excavat$ by !     
pres5t tempor>y1 or p]man5t1 /reams4    
,h5ce1 x foll[s1 t all ^! rav9es mu/ h  
exi/$ be=e ! "t at :i* ! valley 0       
occupi$ by ! great m]e4 ,?is fact       
acquires a peculi> importance :5 we     
proce$ to consid] ! gr\nds = !          
conclusion t ! old ,pale/9ian m]e atta9$
 its highe/ level 9 ! cold p]iod ( !    
plei/oc5e epo*4 ,x is well kn[n t       
glaci]s =m]ly came l[ d[n on ! flanks ( 
,lebanon & ,antilebanon2 inde$1 ! old   
mora9es are ! haunts ( ! few survivors (
 ! fam\s c$>s4 ,?is implies a p]5nial   
sn[cap ( great ext5t on ,h]mon2 !re=e1 a
 va/ly great] supply ( wat] to ! s\rces 
( ! ,jordan :i* rise on its flanks2 &1 9
 addition1 su* a total *ange 9 ! g5]al  
climate1 t ! innum]able ,wadys1 n[      
trav]s$ only by occasional /orm torr5ts1
 mu/ h be5 occupi$ by p]5nial /reams4   
,all ?is involves a l[] annual          
temp]ature & a moi/ & ra9y atmosph]e4   

,if su* a *ange ( meteorological        
conditions c\ld be effect$ n[1 :5 ! loss
 by evaporation f ! surface ( ! ,dead   
,sea salt-pan balances all ! ga9 f !    
,jordan & o!r /reams1 ! scale w\ld be   
turn$ 9 ! o!r direction4 ,! wat]s ( !   
,dead ,sea w\ld become dilut$2 its level
 w\ld rise2 x w\ld cov]1 fir/ ! pla9 ( !
 ,jordan1 !n ! lake ( ,galilee1 !n !    
middle ,jordan betwe5 ?is lake & t (    
,huleh 7! anci5t ,m]om72 &1 f9ally1 x   
w\ld encroa*1 nor?w>ds1 along ! c\rse ( 
! upp] ,jordan1 &1 s\?w>ds1 up ! ,wady  
,arabah1 until x rea*$ "s #bfj feet     
above ! level ( ! ,m$it]ranean1 :5 x    
w\ld atta9 a p]man5t level1 by s5d+ any 
sup]fluity ?r\gh ! pass ( ,jezrael to   
swell ! wat]s ( ! ,ki%on1 & fl[ !nce    
into ! ,m$it]ranean4  ,rev]se ! process1
 9 consequ5ce ( ! excess ( loss by      
evaporation ov] ga9 by infl[1 :i* mu/ h 
set 9 z ! climate ( ,syria *ang$ aft] ! 
end ( ! plei/oc5e epo*1 & 7)\t tak+ into
 consid]ation any o!r circum/ances7 !   
pres5t /ate ( ?+s mu/ ev5tually be      

rea*$--a conc5trat$ sal9e solution 9 !  
deepe/ "p ( ! valley--wat]1 r m *>g$ )  
sal9e matt] ?an ord9>y fre% wat]1 9 !   
l[] ,jordan & ! lake ( ,galilee--fre%   
wat]s1 /ill l>gely d]iv$ f ! sn[s (     
,h]mon1 9 ! upp] ,jordan & 9 ,lake      
,huleh4 ,b1 if ! full /ate ( ! ,jordan  
valley m>ks ! glacial epo*1 !n x foll[s 
t ! excavation ( t valley by atmosph]ic 
ag5cies mu/ h occupi$ an imm5se antec$5t
 "t--a l>ge "p1 p]haps ! :ole1 ( !      
plioc5e epo*2 & we are ?us =c$ to !     
conclusion t1 s9ce ! mioc5e epo*1 !     
physical con=mation ( ! ,holy ,l& has   
be5 sub/antially :at x is n[4 ,x has be5
 m or less ra9$ ^u1 se>*$ by e>?quakes  
"h & !re1 p>tially ov]fl[$ by lava      
/reams1 sl[ly rais$ 7relatively to !    
sea-level7 a few hundr$ feet4 ,b !re is 
n a %ad[ ( gr\nd = suppos+ t1 ?r\gh\t   
all ?is "t1 t]re/rial animals h ceas$ to
 inhabit a l>ge "p ( its surface2 or t1 
9 _m p>ts1 !y h be51 9 any respect1     
incommod$ by ! *anges :i* h tak5 place4 
,! evid5ce ( ! g5]al /ability ( !       

physical conditions ( ,we/]n ,asia1 :i* 
is furni%$ by ,pale/9e & by ! ,euphrates
 ,valley1 is only =tifi$ if we ext5d our
 view nor?w>ds to ! ,black ,sea & !     
,caspian4 ,! ,caspian is a sort (       
magnifi$ replica ( ! ,dead ,sea4 ,!     
bottom ( ! deepe/ "p ( ?is va/ inl& m]e 
is ab\t #cjjj feet bel[ ! level ( !     
,m$it]ranean1 :ile its surface is l[] by
 #he feet4 ,at pres5t1 x is sep>at$1 on 
! we/1 by wide spaces ( dry l& f !      
,black ,sea1 :i* has ! same height z !  
,m$it]ranean2 &1 on ! ea/1 f ! ,aral1   
#ach feet above t level4 ,! wat]s ( !   
,black ,sea1 n[ 9 communication ) !     
,m$it]ranean by ! ,d>danelles & !       
,bosphorus1 are salt1 b become bracki%  
nor?w>ds1 :]e ! riv]s ( ! /eppes p\r 9 a
 great volume ( fre% wat]4 ,^? ( !      
%all[] nor!rn half ( ! ,caspian are     
simil>ly affect$ by ! ,volga & ! ,ural1 
:ile1 9 ! %all[ bays ( ! s\!rn division1
 !y become extremely sal9e 9 consequ5ce 
( ! int5se evaporation4 ,! ,aral ,sea1  
?\gh suppli$ by ! ,jax>tes & ! ,oxus1   

has bracki% wat]4 ,!re is evid5ce t1 9 !
 plioc5e & plei/oc5e p]iods1 to g no    
f>!r back1 ! /rait ( ! ,d>danelles did n
 exi/1 & t ! va/ area1 f ! valley ( !   
,danube to t ( ! ,jax>tes1 0 cov]$ by   
bracki% or1 9 "s p>ts1 fre% wat] to a   
height ( at lea/ #bjj feet above ! level
 ( ! ,m$it]ranean4 ,at ! pres5t "t1 !   
wat]-p>t+ :i* sep>ates ! nor!rn "p ( !  
bas9 ( ! ,caspian f ! va/ pla9s trav]s$ 
by ! ,tobol & ! ,obi1 9 _! c\rse to !   
,arctic ,ocean1 appe>s to be less ?an   
#bjj feet above ! latt]4 ,x w\ld seem1  
!re=e1 to be v probable t1 "u ! climatal
 conditions ( "p ( ! plei/oc5e p]iod1 ! 
valley ( ! ,obi play$ ! same "p 9       
relation to ! ,ponto-,aralian sea1 z t (
 ! ,ki%on may h done to ! great m]e ( ! 
,jordan valley2 & t ! outfl[ =m$ !      
*annel by :i* ! well-kn[n ,arctic       
elem5ts ( ! fauna ( ! ,caspian ent]$ x4 
,= ! fossil rema9s imb$d$ 9 ! /rata     
cont9u\sly deposit$ 9 ! ,aralo-,caspian 
area1 s9ce ! latt] end ( ! mioc5e epo*1 
%[ no sign t1 f t "t onw>d1 x has ev]   

be5 cov]$ by sea wat]4 ,!re=e1 !        
supposition ( a free infl[ ( ! ,arctic  
,ocean1 :i* at "o "t 0 g5]ally receiv$1 
z well z t ( v>i\s hypo!tical deluges f 
t qu>t]1 mu/ be s]i\sly que/ion$4  ,!   
,caspian & ! ,aral /& 9 some:at ! same  
relation to ! va/ bas9 ( dry l& 9 :i* !y
 lie1 z ! ,dead ,sea & ! lake ( ,galilee
 to ! ,jordan valley4 ,!y are ! rema9s (
 a va/1 mo/ly bracki%1 m]e1 :i* has dri$
 up 9 consequ5ce ( ! excess (           
evaporation ov] supply1 s9ce ! cold &   
damp climate ( ! plei/oc5e epo* gave    
place to ! increas+ dryness & great     
summ] heats ( ,c5tral ,asia 9 m mod]n   
times4 ,! desiccation ( !               
,aralo-,caspian bas91 :i* communicat$ ) 
! ,black ,sea only by a comp>atively    
n>r[ & %all[ /rait along ! pres5t valley
 ( ,manyts*1 ! bottom ( :i* 0 less ?an  
#ajj feet above ! ,m$it]ranean1 mu/ h   
be5 va/ly aid$ by ! erosion ( ! /rait ( 
! ,d>danelles t[>ds ! end ( ! plei/oc5e 
epo*1 or p]haps lat]4 ,= ! result ( ?us 
op5+ a passage = ! wat]s ( ! ,black ,sea

 into ! ,m$it]ranean mu/ h be5 ! gradual
 l[]+ ( its level to t ( ! latt] sea4   
,:5 ?is process _h gone s f> z to br+   
d[n ! ,black ,sea wat] to )9 less ?an a 
hundr$ feet ( its pres5t level1 ! /rait 
( ,manyts* ceas$ to exi/2 & ! va/ body (
 fre% wat] br\ght d[n by ! ,danube1 !   
,dniep]1 ! ,don1 & o!r ,s\? ,russian    
riv]s 0 cut (f f ! ,caspian1 & ev5tually
 deliv]$ into ! ,m$it]ranean4 ,?us1 !re 
is z conclusive evid5ce z "o c well hope
 to obta9 9 ^! matt]s1 t1 nor? ( !      
,euphrates valley1 ! physical geography 
( an area z l>ge z all ,c5tral ,europe  
has rema9$ ess5tially un*ang$1 f !      
mioc5e p]iod d[n to our "t2 j z1 to !   
we/ ( ! ,euphrates valley1 ,pale/9e has 
exhibit$ a simil> p]si/5ce (            
geographical type4 ,to ! s\?1 ! valley (
 ! ,nile tells exactly ! same /ory4 ,!  
holes bor$ by mioc5e mollusks 9 ! cliffs
 ea/ & we/ ( ,cairo be> witness t1 9 !  
mioc5e epo*1 x conta9$ an arm ( ! sea1 !
 bottom ( :i* has s9ce be5 gradually    
fill$ up by ! alluvium ( ! ,nile1 &     

elevat$ to its pres5t position4 ,b !    
high] p>ts ( ! ,mokattam & ( ! des]t    
ab\t ,ghizeh1 h be5 dry l& f t "t to    
?is4 ,too little is kn[n ( ! geology (  
,p]sia1 at pres5t1 to all[ any positive 
conclusion to be enunciat$4 ,b1 tak+ !  
"n to indicate ! :ole cont95tal mass (  
,iran1 betwe5 ! valleys ( ! ,indus & !  
,euphrates1 ! supposition t its physical
 geography has rema9$ un*ang$ = an      
imm5sely long p]iod is h>dly ra%4 ,!    
c\ntry is1 9 fact1 an enorm\s bas91     
surr\nd$ on all sides by a m\nta9\s rim1
 & subdivid$ )9 by ridges into plateaus 
& holl[s1 ! bottom ( ! deepe/ ( :i*1 9 !
 prov9ce ( ,sei/an1 probably desc5ds to 
! level ( ! ,indian ,ocean4 ,^!         
depressions are occupi$ by salt m>%es & 
des]ts1 9 :i* ! wat]s ( ! /reams :i* fl[
 d[n ! sides ( ! bas9 are n[ dissipat$  
by evaporation4 ,i am acqua9t$ ) no     
evid5ce t ! pres5t ,iranian bas9 0 ev]  
occupi$ by ! sea2 b ! accumulations (   
gravel ov] a great ext5t ( its surface  
indicate long-cont9u$ wat] action4 ,x   

is1 !re=e1 a fair presumption t l>ge    
lakes h cov]$ mu* ( its pres5t des]ts1 &
 t !y h dri$ up by ! op]ation ( ! same  
*ang$ climatal conditions z ^? :i* h    
r$uc$ ! ,caspian & ! ,dead ,sea to _!   
pres5t dim5sions4 #aa  ,?us x w\ld seem 
t ! ,euphrates valley1 ! c5tre ( ! fabl$
 ,noa*ian deluge1 is also ! c5tre ( a   
region cov]+ "s millions ( squ>e miles (
 ! pres5t cont95ts ( ,europe1 ,asia1 &  
,africa1 9 :i* all ! facts1 relevant to 
! argum5t1 at pres5t kn[n1 conv]ge to ! 
conclusion t1 s9ce ! mioc5e epo*1 !     
ess5tial features ( its physical        
geography h rema9$ un*ang$2 t x has     
nei!r be5 depress$ bel[ ! sea1 nor swept
 by diluvial wat]s s9ce t "t2 & t !     
,*aldaean v]sion ( ! leg5d ( a flood 9 !
 ,euphrates valley is1 ( all ^? :i* are 
extant1 ! only "o :i* is ev5 consi/5t ) 
probability1 s9ce x depicts a local     
inundation1 n m sev]e ?an "o :i* might  
be br\ght ab\t by a concurr5ce (        
fav\rable conditions at ! pres5t day2 & 
:i* might probably h be5 m easily       

effect$ :5 ! ,p]sian ,gulf ext5d$ f>!r  
nor?4 ,h5ce1 ! rec\rse to ! glacial epo*
 = "s ev5t :i* might col\rably repres5t 
a flood1 di/9ctly ass]t$ by ! only      
au?ority = x to h occurr$ 9 hi/orical   
times1 is peculi>ly un=tunate4 ,ev5 a   
,wel% antiqu>y might hesitate ov] !     
supposition t a tradition ( ! fate (    
,moel ,tryfa51 9 ! glacial epo*1 _h     
furni%$ ! basis ( fact = a leg5d :i*    
arose among p ^: own exp]i5ce abundantly
 suppli$ !m ) ! ne$ful prec$5ts4        
,moreov]1 if evid5ce ( int]*anges ( l& &
 sea are to be accept$ z confirmations (
 ,noah's deluge1 !re are pl5ty ( s\rces 
= ! tradition to be _h mu* ne>] ?an     
,wales4  ,! depression n[ fill$ by ! ,r$
 ,sea1 = example1 appe>s to be1         
geologically1 ( v rec5t orig94 ,! lat]  
deposits f\nd on its %ores1 two or ?ree 
hundr$ feet above ! sea level1 conta9 no
 rema9s old] ?an ^? ( ! pres5t fauna2   
:ile1 z ,i h already m5tion$1 ! valley (
 ! adjac5t delta ( ! ,nile 0 a gulf ( ! 
sea 9 mioc5e times4 ,b !re is n a       

p>ticle ( evid5ce t ! *ange ( relative  
level :i* admitt$ ! wat]s ( ! ,indian   
,ocean betwe5 ,arabia & ,africa1 took   
place any fa/] ?an t :i* is n[ go+ on 9 
,gre5l& & ,sc&9avia1 & :i* has left _!  
inhabitants undi/urb$4 ,ev5 m rem>kable 
*anges 7 effect$1 t[>ds ! end (1 or     
s9ce1 ! glacial epo*1 ov] ! region n[   
occupi$ by ! ,levant9e ,m$it]ranean & ! 
,a,egean ,sea4 ,! ea/]n coa/ region (   
,asia ,m9or1 ! we/]n ( ,greece1 & _m ( !
 int]m$iate isl&s1 exhibit ?ick masses (
 /ratifi$ deposits ( lat] t]ti>y age & (
 purely lacu/r9e *>act]s2 & x is        
rem>kable t1 on ! s\? side ( ! isl& (   
,crete1 su* masses pres5t /eep cliffs   
fac+ ! sea1 s t ! s\!rn b\nd>y ( ! lake 
9 :i* !y 7 =m$ mu/ h be5 situat$ :]e !  
sea n[ fl[s4 ,inde$1 !re are valid      
reasons = ! supposition t ! dry l& once 
ext5d$ f> to ! we/ ( ! pres5t ,levant9e 
coa/1 & n improbably =c$ ! ,nile to seek
 an outlet to ! nor?-ea/ ( its pres5t   
delta--a possibility ( no small         
importance 9 relation to c]ta9 puzzl+   

facts 9 ! geographical di/ribution (    
animals 9 ?is region4 ,at any rate1     
cont9u\s l& jo9$ ,asia ,m9or ) ! ,balkan
 p59sula2 & its surface bore deep       
fre%-wat] lakes1 app>5tly disconnect$ ) 
! ,ponto-,aralian sea4 ,?is /ate ( ?+s  
la/$ long en\gh to all[ ( ! =mation ( ! 
?ick lacu/r9e /rata to :i* ,i h ref]r$4 
,i am n aw>e t !re is ! smalle/ gr\nd = 
! assumption t ! ,a,egean l& 0 brok5 up 
9 consequ5ce ( any ( ! cata/rophes :i*  
are s commonly invok$4 #ab ,= any?+ t   
appe>s to ! contr>y1 ! n>r[1 /eep-sid$1 
/raits betwe5 ! isl&s ( ! ,a,egean      
ar*ipelago may h be5 orig9ally br\ght   
ab\t by ord9>y atmosph]ic & /ream       
action2 & may !n h be5 fill$ f !        
,m$it]ranean1 dur+ a sl[ subm]g5ce      
proce$+ f ! s\? nor?w>ds4 ,! /rait ( !  
,d>danelles is b\nd$ by undi/urb$       
plei/oc5e /rata =ty feet ?ick1 ?r\gh    
:i*1 to all appe>ance1 ! pres5t passage 
has be5 quietly cut4  ,t ,olympus &     
,ossa 7 torn asund] & ! wat]s ( !       
,!ssalian bas9 p\r$ =?1 is a v anci5t   

notion1 & an (t5 cit$ confirmation (    
,deucalion's flood4 ,x has n yet ceas$  
to be 9 vogue1 app>5tly because ^? :o   
ent]ta9 x are n aw>e t mod]n geological 
inve/igation has conclusively prov$ t ! 
gorge ( ! ,p55s is z typical an example 
( a valley ( erosion z any to be se5 9  
,auv]gne or 9 ,colorado4 #ac  ,?us1 9 ! 
imm$iate vic9ity ( ! va/ expanse (      
c\ntry :i* c be prov$ to h be5 unt\*$ by
 any cata/rophe be=e1 dur+1 & s9ce !    
glacial epo*1 lie ! great areas ( !     
,a,egean & ! ,r$ ,sea1 9 :i*1 dur+ or   
s9ce ! glacial epo*1 *anges ( ! relative
 positions ( l& & sea h tak5 place1 9   
comp>ison ) :i* ! subm]g5ce ( ,moel     
,tryfa51 ) all ,wales & ,scotl& to boot1
 does n come to mu*4  ,:at1 !n1 is !    
relevancy ( talk ab\t ! glacial epo* to 
! "q ( ! hi/orical v]acity ( ! n>rator (
 ! /ory ( ! ,noa*ian deluge8 ,s f> z my 
k goes1 !re is n a p>ticle ( evid5ce t  
de/ructive inundations 7 m common1 ov] !
 g5]al surface ( ! e>?1 9 ! glacial epo*
 ?an !y h be5 be=e or s9ce4 ,no d\bt !  

fr+e ( an ice-cov]$ region mu/ be always
 liable to !m2 b1 if we exam9e ! records
 ( su* cata/rophes 9 hi/orical times1 ^?
 produc$ 9 ! deltas ( great riv]s1 or 9 
l[l&s l ,holl&1 by sudd5 floods1 comb9$ 
) gales ( w9d or ) unusual tides1 f>    
excel all o!rs4  ,) respect to su*      
inundations z are ! consequ5ces (       
e>?quakes1 & o!r slight movem5ts ( !    
cru/ ( ! e>?1 ,i h nev] he>d ( any?+ to 
%[ t !y 7 m frequ5t & sev]] 9 ! quat]n>y
 or t]ti>y epo*s ?an !y are n[4 ,9 !    
discussion ( ^!1 z ( all o!r geological 
problems1 ! appeal to ne$less           
cata/rophes is born ( t impati5ce ( !   
sl[ & pa9ful se>* aft] suffici5t causes1
 9 ! ord9>y c\rse ( nature1 :i* is a    
temptation to all1 ?\gh only en]getic   
ignorance n[adays completely succumbs to
 x4     ,,po/script4  ,my be/ ?anks are 
due to ,mr4 ,glad/one = 8 c\rte\s       
)drawal ( "o ( ! /atem5ts to :i* ,i h   
?\ght x ne$ful to take exception4 ,!    
famili>ity ) controv]sy1 to :i* ,mr4    
,glad/one alludes1 w h accu/om$ him to !

 misadv5tures :i* arise :51 z sometimes 
w happ5 9 ! heat ( f5ce1 ! buttons come 
(f ! foils4 ,i tru/ t any scrat* :i* he 
may h receiv$ w heal z quickly z my own 
fle% w\nds h done4   ,a contribution to 
! la/ numb] ( ?is ,review 7,! ,n9ete5?  
,c5tury7 ( a diff]5t ord] w\ld be left  
unnotic$1 7 x n t my sil5ce w\ld conv]t 
me into an accessory to                 
misrepres5tations ( a v grave "*4       
,h[ev]1 ,i %all re/rict myself to ! b>e/
 possible /atem5t ( facts1 leav+ my     
read]s to draw _! own conclusions4  ,9  
an article entitl$ ,a ,great ,lesson1   
publi%$ 9 ?is ,review = ,septemb]1      
#ahhg3  7#a7 ,! ,duke ( ,argyll says !  
ov]?r[ ( ,d>w9's speculations 7p4 #cja7 
conc]n+ ! orig9 ( coral reefs1 :i* he   
fanci$ _h tak5 place1 _h be5 receiv$ by 
m5 ( sci5ce ) a grudg+ sil5ce z f> z    
public discussion is conc]n$ 7p4 #cja74 
,! tru? is t1 z e "o acqua9t$ ) !       
lit]ature ( ! subject 0 well aw>e1 !    
views suppos$ to h effect$ ?is ov]?r[ _h
 be5 fully & publicly discuss$ by ,dana 

9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 by ,geikie1 ,gre51 & 
,pre/wi* 9 ?is c\ntry2 by ,lapp>5t 9    
,france2 & by ,cr$n] 9 ,g]many4  7#b7 ,!
 ,duke ( ,argyll says t no s]i\s reply  
has ev] be5 attempt$ 7p4 #cje74  ,! tru?
 is t ! highe/ liv+ au?ority on !       
subject1 ,pr(essor ,dana1 publi%$ a mo/ 
weighty reply1 two ye>s be=e ! ,duke (  
,argyll committ$ himself to ?is /atem5t4
  7#c7 ,! ,duke ( ,argyll uses ! prec$+ 
products ( defective k1 multipli$ by    
excessive imag9ation1 to illu/rate !    
mann] 9 :i* c]ta9 accept$ op9ions       
e/abli%$ a sort ( ,reign ( ,t]ror 9 _!  
own behalf 7p4 #cjg74  ,! tru? is t no  
plea1 except t ( total ignorance ( !    
lit]ature ( ! subject1 c excuse ! errors
 cit$1 & t ! ,reign ( ,t]ror is a purely
 subjective ph5om5on4  7#d7 ,! lett] 9  
,nature = ! #ag? ( ,novemb]1 #ahhg1 to  
:i* ,i am ref]r$1 conta9s nei!r         
sub/antiation1 nor retractation1 (      
/atem5ts #a & #b4 ,nev]!less1 x repeats 
numb] #c4 ,! ,duke ( ,argyll says ( 8   
article t x has done :at ,i int5d$ x to 

d4 ,x has call$ wide att5tion to !      
influ5ce ( m]e au?ority 9 e/abli%+      
errone\s !ories & 9 ret>d+ ! progress ( 
sci5tific tru?4  7#e7 ,! ,duke ( ,argyll
 illu/rates ! influ5ce ( 8 fictiti\s    
,reign ( ,t]ror by ! /atem5t t ,mr4     
,john ,murray 0 /rongly advis$ aga9/ !  
publication ( 8 views 9 d]ogation (     
,d>w9's long-accept$ !ory ( ! coral     
isl&s1 & 0 actually induc$ to delay x = 
two ye>s 7p4#cjg74 ,& 9 ,nature = ! #ag?
 ,novemb]1 #ahhg1 ! ,duke ( ,argyll     
/ates t he has se5 a lett] f ,sir       
,wyville ,?omson 9 :i* he urg$ & almo/  
insi/$ t ,mr4 ,murray %\ld )draw ! read+
 ( 8 pap]s on ! subject f ! ,royal      
,society ( ,ed9burgh4 ,?is 0 9 ,febru>y1
 #ahgg4 ,! next p>agraph1 h[ev]1 conta9s
 ! confession3 ,no special reason 0     
assign$4 ,! ,duke ( ,argyll proce$s to  
give a speculative op9ion t ,sir        
,wyville dread$ "s injury to ! sci5tific
 reputation ( ! body ( :i* he 0 ! *ief4 
,truly1 a v probable supposition2 b z   
,sir ,wyville ,?omson's t5d5cies 7      

notori\sly anti-,d>w9ian1 x does n appe>
 to me to l5d ! slighte/ ju/ification to
 ! ,duke ( ,argyll's ins9uation t !     
,d>w9ian t]ror influ5c$ him4 ,h[ev]1 !  
"q 0 f9ally set at re/ by a lett] :i*   
appe>$ 9 ,nature 7#bi? ( ,decemb]1      
#ahhg71 9 :i* ! writ] says t3  talk+ )  
,sir ,wyville ab\t ',murray's new !ory1'
 ,i ask$ :at objection he _h to its be+ 
br\ght be=e ! public8 ,! answ] simply 03
 he consid]$ t ! gr\nds ( ! !ory _h n1 z
 yet1 be5 suffici5tly inve/igat$ or     
suffici5tly corroborat$1 & t !re=e any  
immature dogmatic publication ( x w\ld d
 less ?an little s]vice ei!r to sci5ce  
or to ! au?or ( ! pap]4  ,sir ,wyville  
,?omson 0 an intimate fri5d ( m9e1 & ,i 
am glad to h be5 af=d$ "o m opportunity 
( cle>+ 8 "* f ! asp]sions :i* h be5 s  
recklessly ca/ ^u 8 good s5se & 8       
sci5tific hon\r4  7#f7 ,z to ! ov]?r[ ( 
,d>w9's !ory1 :i*1 accord+ to ! ,duke ( 
,argyll1 0 pat5t to e unprejudic$ p]son 
f\r ye>s ago1 ,i h rec5tly become       
acqua9t$ ) a "w1 9 :i* a really compet5t

 au?ority1 #ad ?or\ghly acqua9t$ ) all !
 new lights :i* h be5 ?r[n ^u ! subject 
dur+ ! la/ t5 ye>s1 pron\nces ! judgm5t2
 fir/ly1 t "s ( ! facts br\ght =w>d by  
,messrs4 ,murray & ,guppy aga9/ ,d>w9's 
!ory are n facts2 secondly1 t ! o!rs are
 reconcilable ) ,d>w9's !ory2 &1 ?irdly1
 t ! !ories ( ,messrs4 ,murray & ,guppy 
are contradict$ by a s]ies ( important  
facts 7p4 #ac74  ,p]haps ,i _h bett]    
draw att5tion to ! circum/ance t ,dr4   
,lang5beck writes "u %elt] ( ! guns ( ! 
=tress ( ,/rasburg2 & may !re=e be      
presum$ to be unaffect$ by ^? dreams ( a
 ,reign ( ,t]ror :i* seem to di/urb !   
peace ( "s ( u 9 ^! isl&s 7,april1      
#ahia74  ,see1 on ! subject ( ?is note1 
! essay entitl$ ,an ,episcopal ,trilogy 
9 ! foll[+ volume4     ,,footnotes3     
,footnote #a3 ,9 ,may #ahdi ! ,tigris at
 ,bagdad rose #bb-a_/b feet--#e feet    
above its usual rise--& ne>ly swept away
 ! t[n4 ,9 #ahca a simil>ly exceptional 
flood did imm5se damage1 de/roy+ #gjjj  
h\ses4 ,see ,l(tus1 ,*aldea & ,susiana1 

p4 #g4  ,footnote #b3 ,see ! in/ructive 
*apt] on ,hasisadra's flood 9 ,suess1   
,das ,antlitz d] ,erde1 ,ab?4 ,i4 ,only 
fifte5 ye>s ago a cyclone 9 ! ,bay (    
,b5gal gave rise to a flood :i* cov]$   
#cjjj squ>e miles ( ! delta ( ! ,ganges1
 #c to #de feet deep1 de/roy+ #ajj1jjj  
p1 innum]able cattle1 h\ses1 & trees4 ,x
 broke inl& on ! ris+ gr\nd ( ,tipp]ah1 
& may h swept a vessel f ! sea t f>1    
?\gh ,i d n "k t x did4  ,footnote #c3  
,see ,c]nik's maps 9 ,pet]manns         
,mit!ilung51 ,erganzunga%efte #dd & #de1
 #ahge-gf4  ,footnote #d3 ,i h n cit$ ! 
dim5sions giv5 to ! %ips 9 mo/          
translations ( ! /ory1 because !re      
appe>s to be a d\bt ab\t !m4 ,haupt     
7,keil9s*riftli*e ,s9dflu?-,b]i*t1 p4   
#ac3 says t ! figures are illegible47   
,footnote #e3 ,x is probable t a sl[    
movem5t ( elevation ( ! l& at "o "t     
contribut$ to ! result--p]haps does s   
/ill4  ,footnote #f3 ,at a comp>atively 
rec5t p]iod1 ! littoral m>g9 ( ! ,p]sian
 ,gulf ext5d$ c]ta9ly #bej miles f>!r to

 ! nor?we/ ?an ! pres5t emb\*ure ( !    
,%att-el ,arab4 7,l(tus1 ,qu>t]ly       
,j\rnal ( ! ,geological ,society1 #ahec1
 p4 #bea47 ,! actual ext5t ( ! m>9e     
deposit inl& _c be def9$1 z x is cov]$  
by lat] fluviatile deposits4  ,footnote 
#g3 ,tiele 7,babylonis*-,assyris*e      
,ges*ic!1 pp4 #egb-c7 has "s v j rem>ks 
on ?is aspect ( ! epos4  ,footnote #h3  
,9 ! second volume ( ! ,hi/ory ( !      
,euphrates1 p4 #fcg ,col4 ,*esney gives 
a v int]e/+ acc\nt ( ! simple & rapid   
mann] 9 :i* ! p ab\t ,tekrit & 9 ! m>%es
 ( ,lemlum con/ruct l>ge b>ges1 & make  
!m wat]-tight ) bitum54 ,d\btless !     
practice is extremely anci5t & z        
,colonel ,*esney sugge/s1 may possibly h
 furni%$ ! conception ( ,noah's ark4 ,b 
x is "o ?+ to build a b>ge #dd;ft4 long 
by #aa;ft4 wide & #d;ft4 deep 9 ! way   
describ$2 & ano!r to get a vessel ( t5  
times ! dim5sions1 s con/ruct$1 to hold 
toge!r4  ,footnote #i3 ,es i/ ni*ts     
s*reckli*] als e9e ?atige ,unwiss5heit1 
,maxim5 und ,reflexion51 iii4  ,footnote

 #aj3 ,! well-kn[n difficulties connect$
 ) ?is case h rec5tly be5 c>efully      
discuss$ by ,mr4 ,bell 9 ! ,transactions
 ( ! ,geological ,society ( ,glasg[4    
,footnote #aa3 ,an in/ructive p>allel is
 exhibit$ by ! ,great ,bas9 ( ,nor?     
,am]ica4 ,see ! rem>kable memoir on     
,lake ,bonneville by ,mr4 ,g4 ,k4       
,gilb]t1 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,geological  
,survey1 j publi%$4  ,footnote #ab3 ,x  
is true t e>?quakes are common en\gh1 b 
!y are incompet5t to produce su* *anges 
z ^? :i* h tak5 place4  ,footnote #ac3  
,see ,tell]1 ,geologis*e ,bes*reibung   
des sud-o/li*5 ,!ssali52 ,d5ks*rift5 d4 
,akademie d] ,wiss5s*aft51 ,wi51 ,bd4   
xl4 p4 #aii4  ,footnote #ad3 ,dr4       
,lang5beck1 ,die ,!ori5 ub] die         
,ent/ehung d] ,korall5-,inseln und      
,korall5-,riffe 7p4 #ac71 #ahij4