About this belief system
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.
Top myths
 |  |  |  | |
| Egyptian Heliopolis | Egyptian Hermopolis | Egyptian Thebes | Egyptian Memphis | |
| Creation myth | Creation myth | Creation myth | Creation myth | |
| Unknown author | Unknown author | Unknown author | Unknown author | |
| Read myth | Read myth | Read myth | Read myth | |
| More myths | ||||
Top deities
Dynasty timelines
Egypt has a very long cultural history. Consequently, it is not considered accurate to categorize Egypt into a single belief system. Many of the theologies have changed over time, or were changed to fit new cultural norms and practices. Almost all records from ancient Egypt come after the invention of writing, which was around 3500 BCE.
According to renowned Egyptologist Jan Assmann, the stretch of Egyptian dynasties lasted almost four thousand years.[1]
Egyptian Dynasties Timeline
| Years | Dynasties |
|---|---|
| Before 3100 BCE | Predynastic times |
| 3100-2670 BCE | Archaic Period (Dynasties I-II) |
| 2670-2150 BCE | Old Kingdom (Dynasties III-VI) |
| 2150-2040 BCE | First Intermediate Period (Dynasties VII-XI) |
| 2040-1650 BCE | Middle Kingdom (Dynasties XI-XIII) |
| 1650-1550 BCE | Second Intermediate Period (Dynasties XIV-XVII) |
| 1550-1070 BCE | New Kingdom (Dynasties XVIII-XX) |
| 1070-664 BCE | Third Intermediate Period (Dynasties XXI-XXV) |
| 664-330 BCE | Late Period (Dynasties XXVI-XXXI) |
| 330 BCE-350 CE | Greco-Roman Period |
Given this long period of time, it is clear why there are so many different mythologies, and why they vary so much. For reference, the Roman Empire only lasted for about one thousand years (ca. 500 BCE-500 CE).
Notes
Egyptian myths: A-Z
Dispute Between a Man and His Ba General mythNuthsell
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- Egyptian Heliopolis Creation myth
Nuthsell
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.
- Egyptian Hermopolis Creation myth
Nuthsell
Before the world began, eight deities called the Ogdoad (sometimes the 'Ennead') were separated into four men and four women. They lived in primedal water and rose out of the water to create what we know as land, the sun, and everything else we inhabit on Earth.
- Egyptian Memphis Creation myth
Nuthsell
The world and men were created by Ptah, the Egyptian deity associated with creation (and sometimes craft). The deity envisioned his creation and made it into reality through the spoken word. He created the other major Egyptian deities who would rule in their respective areas.
- Egyptian Thebes Creation myth
Nuthsell
Of the original eight Egyptian deities (listed in the Egyptian Hermopolis myth), Amun (Atum) was the special force behind them and created everything.
The Eloquent Peasant General mythNuthsell
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The Story of Sinuhe Hero mythNuthsell
Sinuhe departs Egypt following the death of his sovereign, Pharaoh Amenemhat I. After almost passing away due to thirst in the desert, Sinuhe is rescued by Asiatics. He befriends a prince in Upper Retjenu named Amunenshi. After winning a combat duel with the Strongman of Retjenu, Sinuhe gains glory, riches, and builds a family. Following several communications with the new sovereign of Egypt, Senwosret I, Sinuhe returns home to be buried in old age.
The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor Hero mythNuthsell
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Egyptian deities: A-Z
Anubis EgyptianAnubis (Coptic: ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲡ) was an Egyptian deity often associated with funerary rituals and the underworld.
Atum Egyptian · 3 mythsAtum 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).
Bes EgyptianBes was an Egyptian deity associated with recreation. He also appeared in Mesopotamian art and some myths.
Geb EgyptianWe don't have all the details about this deity, but we know they were important.
Hathor Egyptian · 1 mythHathor (transliterated Archaic Egyptian: ḥwt-ḥr) was an Egyptian deity who may have been attested since 3100 BCE. Her roles and depictions have changed over Egyptian history.
Horus EgyptianHorus (falcon symbol) was the son of Osiris and one of the most important Egyptian deities. He was a member of the great Ennead, the oldest deities in Egyptian history.
Isis EgyptianWe don't have all the details about this deity, but we know they were important.
Khnum EgyptianKhnum (Ancient Egyptian: 𓎸𓅱𓀭 ) was an Egyptian deity associated with creation and was oftentimes depicted with the head of a ram.
Montu EgyptianMontu was a popular deity associated with war throughout Egyptian history, most especially in Thebes.
Nephthys EgyptianWe don't have all the details about this deity, but we know they were important.
Nut EgyptianNut (Egyptian nwt) was an Egyptian deity associated with the sky. She was a member of the great Ennead, a core group of Egyptian deities.
Osiris EgyptianOsiris (Egyptian wsjr) was the green-skinned deity associated with the afterlife and a member of the great Ennead, the core Egyptian deities.
Ptah Egyptian · 1 mythPtah (Coptic: ⲡⲧⲁϩ) was an Egyptian deity associated with creation in the Egyptian Memphis (Memphite Theology) creation myth.
Ra EgyptianRa was known as the sun deity in ancient Egyptian mythology. He is often portrayed as a falcon.
Set EgyptianSet (Egyptian sth) is an Egyptian deity associated with chaos and violence. He is commonly known for the myth where he slayed his brother, Osiris.
Shu EgyptianWe don't have all the details about this deity, but we know they were important.
Tefnet EgyptianTefnet (Egyptian: tfnwt) was an Egyptian deity related to moisture, spit, and water. She was a member of the great Ennead, the core group of Egyptian deities.
Thoth EgyptianThoth (Archaic Egyptian: ḏḥwtj) was an Egyptian deity who was often depicted with the head of an Ibis; and, he was associated with scribal qualities.
Cite this page
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Egyptian." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 19 Jul. 2019, omnika.org/stable/222. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
OMNIKA (2019, July 19). Egyptian. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/222
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Egyptian." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created July 19, 2019. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/222.
