King Akhenaten
King Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, Akhenaton, Ikhnaton, and Khuenaten, was a king of the 18th dynasty who governed ancient Egypt from “1353 B.C. to 1336 B.C.” His name means “useful to God Aten,”. He was the second son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiyee, and he governed Egypt when his father, King Amenhotep III, died after his 38-year reign. He wasn’t next in line to be a successor king until his older brother Thutmose died.
Life of King Akhenaten
King Akhenaten was known as a Heretic king because he declared monotheism and prohibited polytheism by uniting the old gods into only one god, Aton “The Sun Disk,” and he moved his capital Thebes, which worshipped Amun, to Amarna, which became the new capital Horizon of Aton, and he ordered the name of Amun to be removed from all of Egypt’s temples. He commanded an empire that dominated Palestine, Phoenicia, and Nubia, but he was preoccupied with his new religious revolution, writing poems and erecting temples for his new deity, and he neglected his kingdom, losing a large chunk of it in Asia as a result. He was married to Queen Nefertiti, who aided him in his new religious revolution, believing that they were the link between the gods and the people.
Family of King Akhenaton
Many historians believe he had Marfan Syndrome, a hereditary disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue and the face, which would explain his distinct facial characteristics shown in all of his sculptures. His wife was described as one of Egypt’s most beautiful ladies in history. He had six daughters, all of whom had the same problem. Apart from his primary wife and children, Tutankhamun had several women and children, including Smenkhkare, Tutankhamen, and Ankhesenamun, Tutankhamun’s wife.
Achievements of King Akhenaton
Akhenaten wanted a cultural revolution. He aimed to unify Egypt under one god, the Sun Disk God Aten. Akhenaton wanted to end 2,000 years of polytheism. He also sought to stop the Cult of Amun’s growing power. The Amun priests had more land and authority than the kings. So, in his ninth year, Akhenaten declared himself the living version of Aten. He called Aten the loving creator of the world. He hoped this would limit the priests’ power. Akhenaten also moved the capital from Thebes to Amarna. He closed all the temples to Amun and other gods. He even removed Amun’s name from all over Egypt. But this did not last long.
King Akhenaton’s Foreign Policy
Akhenaten inherited a vast empire. It included regions like Palestine, Phoenicia, and Nubia. However, he failed at diplomacy. The Amarna letters prove his poor relations with allies. He neglected his empire. He preferred to focus on art and poetry for his new god, Aten. His attempt to make Aten the only god failed. His son, Tutankhamun, became king. Tutankhamun restored Amun as the main god. He also moved the capital back to Thebes.
King Akhenaten’s death
In 1336 B.C., he died in the tomb of Merya II in his new city. They cleared his city after his death, and everyone fled Thebes to return to the old world and Amun. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo has a statue of King Akhenaten.
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