Berosuss

Berosuss was an ancient Babylonian astronomer, priest, and historian who lived in the 3rd century BCE. He is best known for his work "Babyloniaca," a history of Babylonia written in Greek. This work, though now largely lost, survives in fragments quoted by later historians such as Josephus and Eusebius. Berosuss's history covered the creation of the world, a line of kings, and the flood, drawing upon Babylonian myths and traditions. His account of the flood, particularly the figure of Xisuthros, is often compared to the biblical story of Noah. Berosuss also described Babylonian cosmology, including the astronomical observations and calculations that were central to their understanding of the universe. His writings are a crucial source for understanding Babylonian culture, religion, and scientific knowledge from the perspective of a native Babylonian. He likely wrote his history to present Babylonian civilization to a Hellenistic audience, shortly after the conquests of Alexander the Great. Despite the fragmentary nature of his surviving work, Berosuss remains a significant figure for his efforts to bridge Babylonian and Greek intellectual traditions.