Heliopolis
The ancient city of the sun god, where priests taught that Atum rose from the waters and created the nine gods of the Ennead.
- Egyptian name
- Iunu (biblical On)
- Location
- Northeast Cairo (al-Matariyya)
- Modern country
- Egypt
- Gods
- Ra and Atum; the Ennead of nine gods
- Surviving monument
- Obelisk of Senusret I
- Known for
- Priestly learning visited by Greek writers
What is Heliopolis known for?
Heliopolis, Greek for 'sun city', was the Egyptian Iunu, called On in the Bible. Its ruins lie under the northeastern suburbs of modern Cairo. It was one of the oldest and most important religious centers of Egypt, devoted to the sun god Ra and the creator Atum.
Its priests taught a creation story in which Atum rose from the dark waters of Nun onto a mound and produced Shu and Tefnut, who produced Geb and Nut, who produced Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys. These nine formed the Great Ennead of Heliopolis. The city was famous for obelisks, sun symbols; the one of Senusret I still stands, and others were later moved to Alexandria, Rome, London and New York.
Greek writers treated Heliopolis as a seat of ancient wisdom. Herodotus says he consulted its priests, and Plutarch names Psenophis of Heliopolis as one of Solon's teachers in the story that leads to Plato's Atlantis.
Atum's city and the Ennead; Plutarch names Psenophis of Heliopolis as a teacher of Solon.
Mentioned on these pages
- Rabbit holeAtum
- PersonPsenophis of Heliopolis
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Heliopolis'Reference
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Great Ennead of Heliopolis'Reference
- Wikipedia, 'Heliopolis (ancient Egypt)'Reference
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