The Great Flood -- Fact or Fiction?

Film Focus: Starting with the story of Noah, this video discusses the ancient flood myths that were common in the Mesopotamian region. The video hypothesizes that the flood myths of this region may have all stemmed from a glacier melt that caused massive flooding in the Black Sea.

Text Focus: Pages 107-110

Discussion Questions:

1. In addition to the story of Noah and the Ark, three other flood myths are discussed, namely: the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Atrahasis Epic, and the Ziusudra myth. Discuss which culture each story arose out of and in approximately what time period they were written.
2. Explain the theory presented in the video for why there are so many similar flood myths.
3. What are the four pieces of evidence presented to support this theory? How are they convincing?
4. Do you think the theory presented in this video is a plausible theory? Why or why not?
5. If you do not agree with the theory proposed by the video, why do you think that so many cultures share these flood myths around the same time in history?

*Ave Maria Press has requested permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson. If for any reason, the producer does not wish this video to be included on this site, Ave Maria Press will remove it posthaste.