Berosus

Berosus was a Hellenistic writer, priest of Bel, and astronomer who lived in Babylon during the 3rd century BCE. He is primarily known for his work titled Babyloniaca, a history of Babylonia written in Greek. This work, though now lost, is preserved in fragments through the writings of later historians like Josephus and Eusebius.

Babyloniaca covered the history of Babylonia from its mythical beginnings, including creation myths and a great flood narrative, up to the reign of the last Babylonian king, Nabonidus. Berosus's account of the flood is particularly noteworthy as it shares similarities with the biblical account of Noah's Ark. His astronomical observations and knowledge of Babylonian astrology were also significant, and he is credited with introducing Babylonian astronomy to the Greek world.

The exact details of Berosus's life are scarce, but it is believed he was born in Babylon and possibly worked in the court of Antiochus I Soter, a ruler of the Seleucid Empire. His historical and astronomical writings provided a crucial bridge between Mesopotamian and Greek cultures, offering valuable insights into ancient Babylonian civilization for future generations. While his original text is lost, the surviving excerpts from Babyloniaca remain a vital source for understanding early Babylonian history and mythology.