In the Epic of Gilgamesh’s Flood story, the god Ea warns Utnapishtim to build a boat.
Ea, known as Enki in Sumerian tradition, is associated with wisdom, water, and the subterranean freshwater realm called the Apsu. In the flood narrative, he finds a way to warn Utnapishtim despite the gods’ decision to destroy humanity.
Utnapishtim then constructs the vessel and preserves living creatures, family members, craftsmen, and provisions. After the flood, the god Enlil initially reacts angrily that a human survived, but eventually grants Utnapishtim and his wife immortality.
Ea is often confused with Enlil because both are important gods in the same story. Enlil is the deity who promotes the destructive flood, while Ea is the one who delivers the warning that makes survival possible.