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====The Heliopolitan Creation Myth====

The third and probably the most important of all the Egyptian cosmogonies were the Heliopolitan creation myth. The Heliopolitan myth was developed early in pharaonic history in the city of Heliopolis (Egyptian “Iunu,” biblical “On”), which was the cult center of the sun-god Atum. There are plenty of references in the <i>Pyramid Texts</i> to Atum and the Heliopolitan version of creation.

Atum then created Geb (earth) and his consort Nut (sky) before creation Osiris (Underworld/kingship) and Isis (Magic/Queenship) and Seth (Chaos) and Nephthys (Queenship). The Heliopolitan mythic cycle is considered to have been completed by the end of the Fifth Dynasty (2494-2345 BC). <ref> Tobin, p. 240</ref> However, its influence resonated throughout all periods of Egyptian history.

Elements of the Heliopolitan myth permeated Egyptian theology for centuries, namely, in three primary ways. First, the idea of the afterlife was implied in the Heliopolitan myth through Osiris. The cult of Osiris increased in importance and popularity as Egyptian history progressed, eventually eclipsing Atum and the solar-cult on many levels. The idea of divine kingship was also inherent in the Heliopolitan myth. Osiris was the original god of kingship, and after Seth slew him, the position passed to his son Horus, who became a substitute for his father in the Heliopolitan myth. <ref> Wilkinson, p. 79</ref> Atum was also directly associated with kingship in a number of the Utterances from the <i>Pyramid Texts</i> and art was also depicted in human form, usually wearing the Double Crown of Egyptian kingship. <ref> Tobin, p. 246</ref>