Apophis, alternatively known as Apep, embodies the archetype of the Great Serpent in ancient Egyptian mythology, often portrayed as the adversary of the sun god Ra. According to Egyptian belief, Ra navigated the heavens in a magnificent barge throughout the day, only to confront Apophis—an embodiment of chaos and darkness—during his nightly voyage through the underworld. The serpent’s ultimate goal was to disrupt Ra’s journey and extinguish the dawn.
During Ra’s travels, he was accompanied by various gods, goddesses, and the justified dead, all dedicated to resisting Apophis’ threats. The ancient Egyptians engaged in extensive rituals to safeguard Ra while simultaneously forging a connection between the living, the departed, and the divine order established by the deities.
Although Apophis lacked formal worship among Egyptians, he was woven into numerous narratives focusing on his relentless attempts to destroy Ra and plunge the world back into chaos. The serpent was symbolically connected with disasters such as earthquakes and storms, and often associated with Set, a god renowned for chaos and darkness. Initially revered as a protector, Set frequently stood at the forefront, defending Ra’s barque from Apophis’ attacks.
Apophis emerges in Egyptian texts as early as the Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE) and is depicted with increasing notoriety through the Late Period (525-332 BCE) and into the Ptolemaic (323-30 BCE) and Roman periods. His most notable appearances arise in the New Kingdom (c. 1570-1069 BCE), particularly within the revered text known as The Book of Overthrowing Apophis, which details rituals and incantations aimed at defeating the serpent. This text is part of a broader collection known as the Execration Texts, created to bring forth curses against enemies and aberrant forces throughout ancient Egyptian history.
Iconography of Apophis
Apophis is often represented as a massive serpent, although he is sometimes depicted in various other violent states, symbolizing his defeat. Notable imagery includes Spell 17 from The Egyptian Book of the Dead, where the divine cat Mau—symbolizing the sun god—slays the serpent with a knife. Mau, viewing the Tree of Life as sacred, is presented as a protector of Ra and a fierce defender during the New Kingdom.
Egyptologist Richard H. Wilkinson references a significant illustration from the tomb of Inerkhau at Deir el-Medina, depicting Mau’s ferocious defense against Apophis. According to the text accompanying the image, Mau symbolizes Ra’s protective essence and was divinely crafted at creation’s dawn.
Creation Myths and Apophis
In the most prominent creation myths, Atum stands at the primordial mound amid chaos and initiates creation, aided by Heka—personifying magic. Through magic, order emerges from chaos, resulting in the first sunrise. Another version credits the goddess Neith with creating the world from chaos.
Within Atum’s narrative, Apophis exists as a primordial entity submerged in the chaotic waters before creation. His response to the introduction of duality and order is one of rage, positioning himself as the sun god’s nemesis. He embodies the resistance against the structured universe represented by Ra.
In Neith’s tale, Apophis is a being brought to life during creation, establishing a different dynamic where he serves as a subordinate, determined to revert the ordered universe back to chaos.
The Eternal Struggle of Order and Chaos
The mythology surrounding Apophis illustrates the struggle between order and chaos, with the gods rallying human support to defend the light and life against darkness and oblivion. This theme is prevalent in Middle Kingdom literature, including works like the Admonitions of Ipuwer and the Discourse Between a Man and his Soul, which reflect societal concerns over chaos compared to historical harmony.
Character individuality was paramount in Egyptian culture, where divinity permeated all aspects of existence, including the sun. Solar eclipses and storms stirred fears of Apophis gaining an upper hand against the deities. Texts like The Book of Overthrowing Apophis invoke the most formidable deities to counteract the serpent’s chaos, and rituals were performed to symbolically vanquish him.
Despite countless defeats at the hands of the gods, Apophis perpetually resurrected, ready to challenge Ra nightly. Stories depict him as being captured and cut into pieces, only to reform before dawn, continuing the cyclical struggle. The justified spirits in paradise and living followers would actively partake in defenses against the serpent.
Rituals and Community Involvement
Rituals continued into the Late Period, displaying heightened seriousness as communities collectively participated in both mythic re-enactments and offerings to the gods. The Lighting the Fire ceremony symbolized the dawn’s breakthrough against darkness, and the Drawing the Bolt ritual awakened Ra from slumber to engage in combat against Apophis.
These rituals reinforced the belief that humans play a vital role in the cosmic theater, ensuring the sun’s rise each day through their devotions. Apophis, therefore, was not merely a mythological entity; he represented the constant threat to human identity and existence.
This collaborative dynamic persisted until the advent of Christianity in the 4th century CE, which altered the view of humanity’s relationship with divinity, positioning humans as unworthy and passive receivers of divine grace.
With the emergence of Christianity, the character of the sun became sidelined, while Apophis lived on as a symbol of chaos, often entwined with the narrative of opposition to God’s order as depicted in Christian theology.
