Heliopolis

The concept of the creation of the world portrayed Re as the creator, linked to deities of a similar nature: Atum and Khepry. Interestingly, Atum appeared in human form. Khepry was depicted as a scarab and personified the rising sun, Re the daytime sun, and Atum the setting sun. According to the doctrine adopted in Heliopolis, the gods Re, Atum, and Khepry created themselves from chaos—Nun. Chaos was imagined as a vast expanse of water. Atum then created the Primeval Hill, the first land. Re spat out a pair of deities: Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture), from whose union Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) were born. They, in turn, begat two gods and two goddesses: Osiris, Set, Isis, and Nephthys. Thus, the Nine Great Gods, also known as the Ennead of Heliopolis, were created. All creatures and plants, as well as humans, were created from the tears of Re.

1) Over time, the Heliopolitan doctrine became generally accepted. Other gods were incorporated into it, assigning them roles.