In many cultures around the world, a story about a flood can be found in their mythology. Interestingly enough, some cultures have never been in contact with others, yet they will all share a common myth about a great flood that wiped out almost all of mankind. Depending on the location, influences and descent of each civilization, the versions of the story can vary little or differ enormously when compared with each other.
The Bible contains a flood myth in the first book of the Old Testament. In this story, God became grieved that he had created mankind because everyone had nothing but evil in their hearts all the time. Therefore, he decided to wipe out mankind via flooding the earth. But God was happy with Noah, who was the only righteous man on earth. God instructed Noah to build an ark and bring with him his wife, his sons and their wives, and two of every animal on earth. After Noah obeyed God's command, the earth was flooded by massive amounts of rain. After the flood subsided and Noah found land to live on, God vowed never again to wipe out mankind.
The Romans also had a flood myth in their society. In the story, Jove, one of the gods, was also angered at the evil ways of mankind. Therefore, he resolved to destroy everyone. With the help of Neptune, the earth was flooded everywhere except for the summit of Mt. Parnassus. By pure chance, two of the most wholesome people on earth, Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha, survived the flood by seeking refuge on Parnassus. When Jove saw this, he made the flood waters reside and the land resurface. Then, with the help of Themis, a wise oracle, Deucalion and Pyrrha were able to create more men by throwing rocks over their shoulders. The rocks would take the form of humans, thus starting the rebuilding process for man. .
The Hindu religion also recognizes a flood in its history. Vishnu, a very powerful god, has three forms: as Brahma, the creator of life on earth; as Vishnu, the preserver of life on earth; and as Shiva-Rudra, the destroyer of life on earth.