In the context of ancient Egyptian beliefs, Re was revered as the sun deity and creator god, playing an integral role in their mythology. It was thought that he journeyed across the heavens in a solar bark by day and traversed the underworld in another vessel during the night. To be reborn each day, he needed to defeat the malevolent serpent Apopis (Apepi). As a primary creator god, Re emerged from the chaotic waters on a primordial mound, creating himself before bringing forth eight additional gods.
Originally, many solar deities were depicted in the form of a falcon, reflecting their connections to Horus. However, by the 4th Dynasty (circa 2575–2465 BCE), Re had established himself as the predominant figure among the deities. This led to various syncretizations, merging Re with other gods to form names such as Re-Harakhty, Amon-Re, Sebek-Re, and Khnum-Re. Re’s falcon-headed representation as Re-Harakhty stemmed from his associations with Horus. The primary center of Re’s worship was in On (Heliopolis), from where his influence radiated throughout Egypt. Starting in the 4th Dynasty, pharaohs took the title “Son of Re,” incorporating Re into their throne names upon ascension.
In Thebes, by the late 11th Dynasty (circa 1980 BCE), Re began to be linked with Amon, forming Amon-Re, who eventually became the leading deity of the Egyptian pantheon, often referred to as the “king of the gods” and guardian of pharaohs. The Royal worship of the solar deity reached its zenith during the New Kingdom (1539–circa 1075 BCE). A significant shift occurred during the Amarna period (1353–1336 BCE) with the introduction of Aton, the sun disk, which represented a more simplified worship as compared to Re’s traditional veneration. During the New Kingdom, theological views of Re also began to intertwine with those associated with Osiris, the god presiding over the afterlife, leading to a fusion of belief systems articulated in royal funerary texts.
