The Doom That Came to Sarnath

I'm curious about the creative roots of this story—did Lovecraft draw from specific myths or personal fears when imagining Sarnath's fate?

The cosmic horror feels so pervasive that it made me wonder how readers personally interpret our place in the universe—are we truly so powerless?

The ancient city feels both mysterious and decayed—what do you think Lovecraft was trying to convey through this particular setting?