Creation Myths

Four cosmologies (creation theories) developed over different periods in ancient Egyptian history. Some elements are common to all four - such as the belief that in the beginning there was only primordial ocean (Nu, Nun). All the cosmologies agree that a hill rose from the ocean (it is believed the first step pyramids were symbolic of the hill). They also agree that creation was a very slow process and that there was a 'First Time' (a period during which the gods lived on Earth).

According to the Heliopolitan myth, the first event was the creation of Atum (god of Heliopolis) who became associated with Ra - the sun God. Ra- Atum was the coming of light to disperse the darkness of Nun and is symbolized by the Phoenix. Ra-Atum gave birth to twins: Shu (god of air) and Tefnut (goddess of world order). Shu and Tefnut gave birth to Geb and Nut, who had Isis, Osiris, Nephthys and Set. Along with Horus (son of Osiris) these gods are referred to as the Ennead.

In 3100 BC, Upper and Lower Egypt were joined and the capital of the country became Memphis. According to the Memphite cosmology, Ptah was creator of all. The Ennead of Heliopolis was demoted to lesser gods than Ptah in order to establish Memphite rule.

A third cosmology arose in the Upper Egpyt city of Hermopolis, probably before the Ennead. The Hermopolitans believed on a group of eight gods (Ogdoad). The Ogdoad consisted of Nun and Naunet (water), Huh and Hauhet (unendingness), Kuk and Kauket (darkness), and Amon and Amaunet (air). According to the Hermopolitan theory, the Ogdoad created the world. After ward, they ruled during the 'Golden Age'. After they died, they traveled to the underworld where they continued to make the Nile flow and the sun rise.

A new cosmogony arose in the New Kingdom. By this time all the other theories were fairly widely accepted. In order to consolidate the beliefs of the people, the Thebans had to incorporate the other theories into their own. The main god of Thebes was Amon which made it easier to grant him the title of supreme creator. Theban theory said Amon created himself. They claimed Thebes was the first city (all the cosmologies laid claim to that honor) and that it was the Eye of Ra (son of Amon). To further consolidate their importance, the Thebans claimed that all the other cosmologies were other aspects of Amon.