Sisuthrus

SISUTHRUS, or Xisuthrus. ‘Tis believed that the Babylonians had a Knowledge of the Deluge of Noah, and that this Patriarch was known to them by the Name of Sisuthrus.¹ They say, that Saturn appear’d in a Dream to Sisuthrus, and inform’d him, that all Mankind was to perish by a Flood. He commanded him to write down the Originals, the Progress, and the Completion of all Things, and to bury them in the Ground in the City of Sipharis, probably Kariath Sepher, or Dabir: And to build a Vessel, to go therein with his Relations and Friends, and to put out into the deep Sea. Sisuthrus follow’d his Orders, loaded his Vessel with all sorts of Provisions, and made all sorts of Animals to go in along with him. His Vessel was, as they say, five Stadia, or 625 Paces long, and two Stadia, or 250 Paces wide.

When the Deluge came, all those were drowned that were not with Sisuthrus. When he perceived the Waters to abate, he let go a Bird, which finding no Food nor Resting-place, return’d to him again. Some time after, he sent out others, which return’d with their Legs dawb’d with Mud. Lastly, a good while after, he let others go, which did not return any more. Then he understood that the Earth was quite dry; he broke up his Vessel, and went out with his Wife, his Daughter, and the Pilot. He went up into a Mountain, where he worshipp’d the Earth, erected an Altar, and sacrificed to the Gods. After this he appear’d no longer upon the Earth, neither himself, nor those which went out of the Ark with him. The others that continued in the Vessel, going out likewise, sought every-where for Sisuthrus to no Purpose; and having call’d him several times, they heard his Voice, recommending Piety to them, and the Worship of the Gods. He also told them, that for the future he was to have no more Conversation with Men, but was to live with the Gods. This is what they relate of Sisuthrus, which will easily be observed to have a very great Conformity with the History of Noah.

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