Apophis, often referred to as Apep, is recognized as the Great Serpent and the nemesis of the sun god Ra within the framework of ancient Egyptian beliefs. Ra’s formidable solar barque traversed the sky from dawn to dusk before descending into the underworld. Throughout its nightly journey, it faced attacks from Apophis, whose aim was to extinguish Ra and halt the dawn.
The vessel was populated with various deities, as well as the justified deceased, all of whom contributed to the defense against the serpent. Ancient Egyptian priests and the populace engaged in ritual practices intended to safeguard Ra and vanquish Apophis, thereby forging a connection between the living, the deceased, and the divine order established by the gods.
While Apophis lacked a dedicated cult following or formal worship, he was pivotal in many narratives detailing his attempts to overthrow Ra and plunge the world into chaos. He symbolized elements like earthquakes, storms, darkness, and death, frequently associated with the god Set—another figure linked to disorder and chaos. Originally depicted as a protector, Set is shown fighting alongside Ra aboard his barque, demonstrating his evolution from guardian to participant in conflict against Apophis.
Although tales of a significant enemy-serpent predate documented history, the name Apophis first surfaces in Middle Kingdom texts (2040-1782 BCE) and remains pertinent to understanding ancient beliefs throughout the subsequent Late (525-332 BCE), Ptolemaic (323-30 BCE), and Roman periods. Most references to him are found in New Kingdom literature (c. 1570-1069 BCE), notably The Book of Overthrowing Apophis, a collection of rituals and incantations aimed at dismantling the serpent’s influence. This text is among the prominent Execration Texts, which were utilized in cursing and denouncing characters or entities.
Artistic Representations
Apophis is frequently illustrated as a coiled serpent or depicted in forms suggesting dismemberment or assault. One notable image derives from Spell 17 of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, which showcases the divine cat Mau, a representation of Ra, defeating Apophis. Mau guards the Tree of Life, embodying the protective essence of Ra and playing a significant role in New Kingdom mythology.
Richard H. Wilkinson features an image in “The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt” documenting Mau’s confrontation with Apophis as he defends the Tree of Life through mortal combat. Accompanying texts explain Mau’s significance and divine origin linked to the creation narratives.
Mythological Context
According to a widely accepted creation myth, Atum emerged from the chaos, standing upon a primordial mound, with Heka, the embodiment of magic, aiding him. Their collaboration birthed the ordered cosmos. In an alternate narrative, the goddess Neith similarly initiates creation from chaos, but crucially, Apophis in this version is a created entity and not a primordial force, establishing him as subordinate to the primary deities.
Apophis’s role as the antagonistic force arises from the world’s newfound duality following creation. He embodies the darkness before daylight, desiring the unification of existence, yet this unity is characterized by the absence of diversity—all opposites are stripped away.
Order vs. Chaos
The mythology surrounding Apophis is emblematic of the fundamental conflict between order and chaos, a theme deeply ingrained in Egyptian literature, particularly from the Middle Kingdom. Works such as The Admonitions of Ipuwer explore this motif through contrasting current chaos against an idealized past.
Apophis symbolizes all that Egyptians dreaded—darkness, the void, and the potential loss of individual identity. Ancient beliefs perceived the universe as divinely charged, including the life-sustaining sun. Eclipses and overcast skies were feared omens of Ra’s struggle, often ascribed to Apophis’s resurgence.
As recounts from the New Kingdom reveal, the Book of Overthrowing Apophis emerged from oral traditions, emphasizing the formidable deities summoned to vanquish the chaos serpent. Rituals to combat Apophis involved creating clay effigies, which were then cursed and destroyed, signifying continuous opposition against this malevolent force.
The Cycle of Conflict
Despite repeated ritualistic victories over Apophis, his resurrection each night ensured the battle persisted. Ancient texts narrate the capture of Apophis by goddesses such as Isis and Neith, who, alongside other deities, confine him, only for him to reappear anew as the sun journeys into the underworld.
The involvement of human beings in these religious practices underscored their significant role in this eternal struggle. Egyptians believed their collective efforts during communal rituals aided the gods. Daily sunrise reaffirmed such beliefs as citizens witnessed the triumph over Apophis, reiterating their participation in divine victories.
Ritualistic events like Lighting the Fire, performed just before dawn, symbolized the rejuvenation of Ra, asserting dominance over Apophis’s threat to erase light and life. Following this, rituals such as Drawing the Bolt revived the sun god, engaging him to combat the serpent during nightfall.
Conclusion
The practices surrounding Apophis gained renewed importance during the Late Period and into the Roman era, continuing to emphasize humanity’s role against darkness. These communal rituals connected people with deities and highlighted the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.
Celebrations, such as the Sed Festival, and others that involved re-enacting the cosmic battles between Horus and Set, reinforced pride in the struggles between order and chaos. These observances conveyed that humanity was not merely passive recipients of divine grace; rather, they were active participants engaged in the preservation of cosmic balance.
Such beliefs began to evolve with the rise of Christianity in the 4th century CE, shifting the perspective from humans collaborating with deities to one of dependence on divine grace alone. Though the sun’s significance transformed, Apophis’s legacy transformed into a symbol of darkness and chaos, amalgamated within Christian narratives, reflecting humanity’s continuing fascination with the eternal battle against evil.
