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:''For the neo-Platonist work by Plotinus, see ''Enneads.
:''For the Latin epic, see'' Aeneid.
The 'Ennead' (Greek '', meaning "the nine") consists of a grouping of nine deities, most often appearing in the context of Egyptian mythology. As a three of threes, the number nine became associated with great carnal power, and ancient peoples considered groupings of nine deities very important.
The Ancient Egyptians set up multiple Enneads. Pyramid Texts mention the Great Ennead, the Lesser Ennead, the Dual Ennead, plural Enneads, and even the Seven Enneads. Some pharaohs set up Enneads that incorporated themselves; most notably, Seti I in his temple at Redesiyah worshipped the Ennead that combined six important deities with three deified forms of him.
Interestingly, the Egyptian term ''pesedjet'', usually translated as ''Ennead'', does not necessarily mean a group of nine. Some ''pesedjets'' had a varying number of deities throughout Egyptian history, and may have contained as few as seven, and as many as ten deities.
The most important of the Egyptian Enneads, the so-called Great Ennead (also called the Heliopolis Ennead) consisted of Atum, the first god, his children Shu and Tefnut, and their descendants Geb, Nut, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys.
The origins of this grouping remain uncertain. Theories up until mid-twentieth century postulated that the Heliopolis priests set it up in order to place their local sun-god Ra above all other deities such as Osiris; however, many later Egyptologists now doubt this. But it appears almost certain that the Great Ennead first appeared during the decline of Ra's cult during the sixth dynasty, and after its introduction the cult soon saw a great resurgence.
From the primeval waters represented by Nun, a mound appeared. Upon the mound sat Atum who had begotten himself. Bored and alone, he masturbated — some think the myth actually states he committed autofellatio ({fact}) —- or (according to other stories) spat, producing air (Shu), and moisture (Tefnut). Shu and Tefnut in turn gave birth to the earth (Geb) and the sky (Nut), who initially engaged in continuous copulation. Shu separated them, lifting Nut into her place in the sky. Nut and Geb produced children: Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nepthys.
★ Ptah
★ Ogdoad
★ Amun
:''For the Latin epic, see'' Aeneid.
The 'Ennead' (Greek '', meaning "the nine") consists of a grouping of nine deities, most often appearing in the context of Egyptian mythology. As a three of threes, the number nine became associated with great carnal power, and ancient peoples considered groupings of nine deities very important.
The Ancient Egyptians set up multiple Enneads. Pyramid Texts mention the Great Ennead, the Lesser Ennead, the Dual Ennead, plural Enneads, and even the Seven Enneads. Some pharaohs set up Enneads that incorporated themselves; most notably, Seti I in his temple at Redesiyah worshipped the Ennead that combined six important deities with three deified forms of him.
Interestingly, the Egyptian term ''pesedjet'', usually translated as ''Ennead'', does not necessarily mean a group of nine. Some ''pesedjets'' had a varying number of deities throughout Egyptian history, and may have contained as few as seven, and as many as ten deities.
| Contents |
| The Great Ennead |
| Creation-myth |
| See also |
The Great Ennead
The most important of the Egyptian Enneads, the so-called Great Ennead (also called the Heliopolis Ennead) consisted of Atum, the first god, his children Shu and Tefnut, and their descendants Geb, Nut, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys.
The origins of this grouping remain uncertain. Theories up until mid-twentieth century postulated that the Heliopolis priests set it up in order to place their local sun-god Ra above all other deities such as Osiris; however, many later Egyptologists now doubt this. But it appears almost certain that the Great Ennead first appeared during the decline of Ra's cult during the sixth dynasty, and after its introduction the cult soon saw a great resurgence.
Creation-myth
From the primeval waters represented by Nun, a mound appeared. Upon the mound sat Atum who had begotten himself. Bored and alone, he masturbated — some think the myth actually states he committed autofellatio ({fact}) —- or (according to other stories) spat, producing air (Shu), and moisture (Tefnut). Shu and Tefnut in turn gave birth to the earth (Geb) and the sky (Nut), who initially engaged in continuous copulation. Shu separated them, lifting Nut into her place in the sky. Nut and Geb produced children: Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nepthys.
See also
★ Ptah
★ Ogdoad
★ Amun
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