Abstract: The Deluge Myth is the most well-known mythological complex in Mesopotamian culture, which originated during the Sumerian period in Fourth Millennium BC. The standard version emerged in 7th Century BC, and the variants of this version could be recognized in many Mesopotamian classics, such as Atra-hasīs and Gilgamesh. The Deluge Myth also brought remarkable influences to other civilizations, especially the ancient Hebrew civilization. In its key canon Tanach, the scroll of Genesis possesses an Israelite version of the Deluge Myth. It could be proved that this version is an ideological recreation of the Mesopotamian version, and plays an important role in world's literature and culture when Judaism and Christianity flourishing. This essay is based on the classics of Atra-hasīs, Gilgamesh, and Genesis, and intends to reveal the system, the evolution, and the influence of Mesopotamian Deluge Myth.

Key words: The Deluge Myth, Mesopotamia, Atra-hasīs, Gilgamesh, Genesis

摘要： 大洪水神话(The Deluge Myth)是古代两河流域最为知名的神话体系之一,其源头可上溯至公元前4千纪的苏美尔文明时期,经过漫长的文本演化进程,至公元前7世纪已发展成熟,其多个版本广泛存在于该区域的重要经典文献中,其中以神话《亚特拉哈西斯》、史诗《吉尔伽美什》等最为典型。大洪水神话亦对两河流域周边文明,特别是古希伯来文明产生了巨大影响,在其核心经典《塔纳赫》的《创世记》中,保留着一个以色列版本的大洪水神话,诸多证据表明其是对两河流域大洪水神话体系的观念性重构。该版本大洪水神话随着犹太教与基督教的发展与传播,对世界文学与文化产生了深远影响。本文以《亚特拉哈西斯》《吉尔伽美什》与《创世记》等经典文献为依据,力图系统梳理两河流域大洪水神话体系的演化进程及其影响—接受机制。

关键词: 大洪水神话, 两河流域, 《亚特拉哈西斯》, 《吉尔伽美什》, 《创世记》