About this myth
Egyptian Heliopolis is a
In a nutshell
Myth summary
The first main Egyptian deities and the rest of the world were created by Atum (later known as Ra or Horus) out of water. Atum gave rise to Shu and Tefnet, who later birthed the deities that would make up the rest of the world, including Isis and Osiris. Isis and Osiris may have represented fertility and motherhood, which gave rise to humanity.
Belief system
Egyptian Religion
Polytheistic
The religion of ancient Egypt represents a cultural identity that lasted from ca. 3500 BCE to 300 CE, and included hundreds of myths, deities, and customs.
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Atum
Main deity
Atum is one of the oldest Egyptian deities in the world and was worshiped heavily in Heliopolis. He gave birth to the other primary Egyptian deities (the Ennead).
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Artifact
Pyramid of Pepi II
Necropolis of Pepi II
The artifact named Pepi II Pyraid has contents related to this mythological story.
Translation
"Utterances 575 and 600": English Translation of Pyramid Texts by Samuel A.B. Mercer
Book · Samuel Alfred Browne Mercer · 1952
"Utterances 575 and 600" is a 1952 English translation of the Pyramid Texts, Utterances 575 and 600, by Samuel A. B. Mercer. The lines seem to detail a creation myth related to the deity named Atum and the city of Heliopolis.
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Background
The Egyptian Heliopolis creation myth comes from the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis and was written during the predynastic times, as late as 3000 BCE according to Samuel A.B. Mercer.[1] Other scholars tend to agree that it was likely produced during the rule of the fifth king of the sixth dynasty: Pepi II from ca. 2246–2152 BCE.[2] At any rate, the Heliopolis creation story is therefore one of the oldest cosmogonic myths in the world. It showcases how Atum gave life to the other primary Egyptian deities. Heliopolis, north of Cairo, was a major cult city for Atum. It was nearby Memphis, where the Pyrmaid of Pepi II is actually located. The Heliopolis creation myth was also prominent during the old kingdom of Egypt.
Atum as the first man and chief creator
The Heliopolis creation narrative focuses on Atum, the deity closely related to the sun. It was said that Atum was created from a mound of dirt, whereby he created the other deities. According to David Leeming:
"The Pyramid Texts tell us that Atum existed alone
in the universe and that he created his
brother and sister, Shu (air-life) and Tefnut,
by masturbating or, as some texts
claimed, by expectorating." [3]
Indeed, the motif of ejaculation seems to be consistent among many different translators.
Texts tell us that Atum existed alone
in the universe and that he created his
brother and sister, Shu (air-life) and Tefnut,
by masturbating or, as some texts
claimed, by expectorating.
Artifacts related to this myth
Pyramid of Pepi II
Limestone
Cite this page
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Egyptian Heliopolis." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 22 Feb. 2019, omnika.org/stable/9. Accessed 11 May. 2024.
OMNIKA (2019, February 22). Egyptian Heliopolis. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/9
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Egyptian Heliopolis." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created February 22, 2019. Accessed May 11, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/9.
