Valley of the ants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valley of the ants is a medieval Jewish legend about Solomon that is retold in the Jewish Encyclopedia[1] and in Quran 27:18-19.[2]
In the legend, as retold in the Jewish Encyclopedia, Solomon rides on a magic carpet over a valley of ants that speak to him. This legend is based on the Tanakh mentioning Solomon's wealth, wisdom, and dominion over all creatures.[3] The legend may also be based on the Book of Proverbs, which rabbinic Judaism traditionally ascribes to Solomon,[4] mentioning ants as exemplars of morality.[5] Of all the legends about Solomon's dominion over all creatures, the valley of the ants is the best known one among Jews.[6]