EGYPTIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
CHAPTER I
Creation Legend of Sun Worshippers
The Primordial Deep—Ra’s “Soul Egg” arises—The Elder Gods—Isis and the Serpent—Plot to rival Ra—How his Magic Name was obtained—Ra seeks to destroy Mankind—An Avenging Goddess—The Deluge—Worshippers are spared—Origin of Sacrifice—Ra ascends to Heaven—Earth God’s Reptile Brood—Thoth the Deputy—The Sun God’s Night Journey—Perils of the Underworld—Rebirth of Sun at Dawn.
At the beginning the world was a waste of water called Nu, and it was the abode of the Great Father. He was Nu, for he was the deep, and he gave being unto the sun god who hath said: “Lo! I am Khepera at dawn, Ra at high noon, and Tum at eventide”. The god of brightness first appeared as a shining egg which floated upon the water’s breast, and the spirits of the deep, who were the Fathers and the Mothers, were with him there, as he was with Nu, for they were the companions of Nu.
Now Ra was greater than Nu from whom he arose. He was the divine father and strong ruler of gods, and those whom he first created, according to his desire, were Shu, the wind god, and his consort Tefnut, who had the
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