Probably, the biblical parable about two cities - Sodom and Gomorrah, destroyed by God “with fire and brimstone” for the sinful behavior of their inhabitants, is known to everyone. The inhabitants of two cities indulged in debauchery, were distinguished by cruelty, evil disposition, licentiousness, for which they were punished. Cuneiform texts found by archaeologists testify to the fact that the legendary cities did exist. However, until now, scientists have not been able to find traces of ancient cities, and disputes about the reasons for their death continue to this day.
Sebastiano Ricci. Bacchanalia in the society of Pan, 1716
In the II millennium BC. e. Sodom and Gomorrah, according to the Old Testament, were located on the shores of the Dead Sea, formerly called Sodom. The cities were prosperous and rich, and their inhabitants led an idle lifestyle and mired in sins and vices. As a punishment, God decided to destroy the cities along with their inhabitants. Abraham asked to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of the innocent righteous, but it turned out that such were only Lot with his wife and two daughters. Angels led them out of the city, forbidding them to look back. Lot's wife disobeyed and turned into a pillar of salt. After all, looking back means regretting life in a sinful environment.
The pillar of salt on Mount Sodom, into which, according to legend, Lot's wife turned
“And the Lord rained sulfur and fire from the Lord on Sodom and Gomorrah from heaven. And he overthrew these cities, and all this neighborhood, and all the inhabitants of these cities, and all the growth of the earth,”the Bible says.
John Martin. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, 1852
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Despite the fact that these cities are mentioned in some ancient sources, in particular, in the "Geography" of Strabo and the "History" of Tacitus, many scholars question the historical reliability of their existence. British scientist Michael Sanders, on the other hand, is convinced that Sodom and Gomorrah were indeed destroyed and rest at the bottom of the Dead Sea.
Albrecht Durer. Flight of Lot with his daughters from Sodom, 1496
Most of all versions and controversies are caused by the causes of the death of cities. According to one of the scientific hypotheses, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by the fall of an asteroid. This version appeared as a result of deciphering the records of a Sumerian astronomer, who described in detail the movement of a huge white ball in the sky. Some scientists are confident that destructive processes of this magnitude could have occurred only as a result of a collision with an asteroid.
Lot and his family flee Sodom
A powerful earthquake seems to be a likely reason for the disappearance of ancient cities. The cities were built in the place of a fault in the earth's crust, at the junction of two tectonic layers, in one of the most seismically active zones on the planet. In addition, there are methane deposits in the Dead Sea area. The earthquake could be accompanied by the release of flammable gases and bitumen, which provoked a fire. And the bitumen in this area is characterized by a high sulfur content. Hence the biblical "fire and brimstone". A number of scientists from Russia and Israel adhere to the version of a volcanic eruption, which also explains the mention of "fire and sulfur".
N. Lomtev. Angels announce heavenly retribution to Sodom and Gomorrah, 1845
John Martin. Lot and his family flee from burning Sodoma
Some scholars have suggested that at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. a natural disaster occurred in this area, which became part of a global cataclysm. Climatic conditions deteriorated sharply, fertile lands dried up. The sudden change in climate could have been triggered by the release of huge amounts of dust into the atmosphere, which again indicates a collision with a meteorite.
Camille Corot. Destruction of Sodom, 1857
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the salvation of Lot
The fall of a meteorite in the place of a break in the earth's crust could cause earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and fire. Therefore, the biblical story of two cities destroyed by "heavenly fire" probably had a very real basis
Jan Brueghel the Elder. Lot with his daughters against the background of Sodom and Gomorrah
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
