Valley of the ants is amedievalJewish legend aboutSolomon that is retold in theJewish Encyclopedia[1] and inQuran 27:18-19.[2]
In thelegend, as retold in theJewishEncyclopedia, Solomon rides on amagic carpet over avalley ofants that speak to him. This legend is based on theTanakh mentioning Solomon'swealth,wisdom, and dominion over allcreatures.[3] The legend may also be based on theBook of Proverbs, whichrabbinic Judaism traditionally ascribes to Solomon,[4] mentioning ants as exemplars ofmorality.[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]
The Quran mentions Solomon. The Jewish legend as compared to the one in the Quran are different except for the warning given by thequeen ant, which is almost identical in both retellings regardless of theEnglishtranslation of verse (āyah) eighteen.[7]