Alarud

Alarud (pronounced Al-uh-rood) is an ancient city mentioned in the writings of Berossus, a Babylonian priest who lived in the 3rd century BC. Berossus wrote a history of Babylonia, now largely lost, which survives primarily through fragments quoted by later writers such as Josephus and Eusebius.

According to Berossus, Alarud was one of the ten antediluvian kings who ruled before the Great Flood. He is described as the third king of Babylonia, succeeding Alaparos and preceding Amelon. Berossus assigned him a reign of 36,000 years. The extremely long lifespans attributed to these kings are generally interpreted as mythical or symbolic, representing dynasties or periods of time rather than literal individuals.

The name Alarud is sometimes linked to the Biblical figure Jared in the genealogy of Genesis. However, the connection is speculative and based primarily on the similarity of the names. There is no definitive historical or linguistic evidence to support a direct relationship.

The historicity of Alarud, as well as the other antediluvian kings described by Berossus, is a subject of debate. While some scholars view them as purely legendary figures, others suggest that they may be based on distorted memories of early Mesopotamian rulers or mythological traditions. Due to the fragmentary nature of Berossus's writings and the lack of independent corroboration, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the historical existence of Alarud or the nature of his reign. The legends surrounding him offer valuable insight into Mesopotamian cosmology and their understanding of their own history.