Heliopolis
Location
About
Ancient Heliopolis ('City of the Sun') was one of Egypt's oldest and most sacred cities, the cult center of Ra, the sun god, and the birthplace of the Ennead — the nine primordial deities of the Egyptian creation myth. The Benben stone, kept in the temple of Ra here, was the primordial mound upon which creation began. The city was Egypt's greatest intellectual center, home to the priests who developed Egyptian cosmology, mathematics, and astronomy.
Significance
Heliopolis was where Egyptian cosmology was formulated — the Ennead creation myth, with Atum giving birth to Shu and Tefnut and the rest of the universe, originated here. The obelisk at Heliopolis became the paradigmatic sacred monument of Egypt, and obelisks were raised at Heliopolis before spreading to all of Egypt and eventually to Rome, Paris, London, and New York. Joseph was given an Egyptian wife (Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, 'priest of On') from Heliopolis.
History & Historical Arc
Heliopolis was an important city from the 1st Dynasty (3100 BCE). The great temple of Ra-Atum was rebuilt by Thutmose II…
Archaeological Notes
Only one obelisk of Senusret I (c.1942 BCE) remains standing at the site — the oldest obelisk in Egypt. Excavations bene…
Key Features & Structures
- Obelisk of Senusret I (only surviving ancient monument on site)
- Temple of Ra-Atum (buried)
Visitor Information
The surviving obelisk is in the Matariya district of Cairo. The rest of the ancient city is buried under modern suburbs.
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Genesis 41:45
- Pyramid Texts §1587
- Strabo, Geography 17.1.28