In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ea warned Utnapishtim about the coming flood.
Ea, the Babylonian god of wisdom and fresh water, communicates the warning indirectly through a reed wall so that Utnapishtim can build a boat and preserve life. In related Mesopotamian traditions, Ea is also known by the Sumerian name Enki.
The god Enlil is a different figure in the story. Enlil supports the decision to send the devastating flood, while Ea helps the human survivor escape it. This contrast is a common source of confusion when the gods’ roles are summarized.
The account appears in the flood narrative told by Utnapishtim in Tablet XI of the standard version of the epic.