Xisuthros
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Xisuthros (or Xisouthros, Ξίσουθρος) is a Hellenization of Zi-ud-sura, the hero of the Sumerian Flood myth. The Xisuthros story is known from the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, quoting Alexander Polyhistor, who translated it from Berossus.[1]
Among the interesting features of this version of the flood myth, are the identification, through interpretatio graeca, of the Sumerian god Enki with the Greek god Cronus, the father of Zeus; and the assertion that the reed boat constructed by Xisuthrus survived, at least until Berossus' day, in the "Corcyrean Mountains" of Armenia.
Xisuthros was also included as a king, the son of one Ardates, on a king list again attributed to Berossus.
[edit] Notes and References
- ^ K. Müller, Fragmenta historicorum Graecorum (FHG), vol 2, Paris: Didot, 1841‑1870, fragments 6 and 7.
