Akhenaten

Carried out the reform that exalted the Aten alone and moved the capital to Amarna.

Life

Powerful priesthood

Akhenaten, born Amenhotep IV, was the son of Amenhotep III. When he came to the throne Egypt was powerful, but the priesthood of Amun at Thebes had grown strong enough to rival royal power, which became an important background to his later religious reform.

Aten alone

A few years after taking the throne, he elevated the sun disk, the Aten, as the sole supreme god, changed his name to Akhenaten and moved the capital to the newly built city of Amarna, for a time suppressing the worship of Amun and other traditional gods. His queen, Nefertiti, held a prominent position in this reform and presided with him over the rites of the new religion.

End of the reform

After his death the reform was quickly abandoned: his successor Tutankhamun moved back to Thebes and restored the worship of Amun, Amarna was abandoned, and Akhenaten's name was erased from official monuments. Later generations have often called this a precursor of "monotheism," but scholars still debate whether the worship of the Aten was truly exclusive; most evidence suggests it was closer to exalting one god above all others than to monotheism in the strict sense.

Legacy

Akhenaten is one of the most controversial pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Supporters see him as a thinker who made humanity's earliest attempt at monotheism, while critics argue that his reforms suppressed traditional beliefs and drained the country's strength, causing Egypt's influence in West Asia to decline. The Amarna art he promoted broke with formulaic tradition and is known for its exaggerated, realistic depictions of people. His successors deliberately erased his traces, and later king lists omitted his name.

Major works & achievements

• Exalted the sun disk Aten as supreme god
• Moved the capital to the new city of Amarna
• Pioneered the realistic Amarna art style
• Great Hymn to the Aten (attributed to him)

Did you know? The diplomatic letters on clay tablets unearthed at Amarna were written in Akkadian cuneiform and record Egypt's dealings with Babylon, Mitanni and other states.

Key dates

• 1353 BCEBecame pharaoh
• 1348 BCEChanged his name to Akhenaten and worshiped the Aten as the only god
• 1346 BCEMoved the capital to Amarna
• 1340 BCEHalted offerings to the temples of Amun
• 1336 BCEDied; the reform was then abandoned