Akhenaten


 * Avery Harle**
 * Social Studies 6-5**
 * 1/25/12**
 * Mr. Bilecki**

=Akhenaten, "the Sun King"=

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Akhenaten, formerly known as Amenhotep IV, ruled Ancient Egypt from 1353 B.C to 1335 B.C. **He was infamously known for changing the Ancient Egyptian religion to the belief in only one god, the sun god, Aten.** He was very hated in Ancient Egypt but a very interesting man with extraordinary thoughts and decisions.


 * //Akhenaten changed his name because of this sun god Aten.//** He also referred to himself as "The Sun King." Akhenaten worshipped Aten. He made the city of el-Amarna for him and built apartments, houses, temples, and official buildings for the people. He also made the city of el-Amarna the capital of Ancient Egypt. Aten was depicted as radiant solar disc with rays holding the ankh, shown as hands of blessing over Akhenaten and his family, and shown as a winged sun disc.

Akhenaten's family was mostly shown with //**his wife, Nefertiti**// or his seven daughters. Nefertiti was also a supporter of eliminating all other gods except Aten. Archeologists believe that she probably ruled with Akhenaten. They also say she helped with the cult of Aten. Although Nefertiti was very loyal and faithful, Akhenaten had a lesser wife named Kiya, with whom he probably had Tutankhamen with. Akhenaten apparently had seven daughters with whom he broke the "tradition" shown by kissing them with his wife. His mother was also a supporter of the cult of Aten and agreed with his decisions and actions. She was a big part of his life.

The ruler's legacy wasn't treated with respect. Akhenaten and his family had changed Ancient Egypt too much for the inhabitants to handle. Since Ancient Egyptians were very religious, this was very different. The inhabitants killed Akhenaten. They tore down magnificent temples, their names were hated, and removed from inscriptions. **//Tutankhamen then succeeded the throne and restored all the old gods.//**

Akhenaten was a different kind of ruler with different structure. He liked things his way and pushed as far as he could on the Egyptian people until they had enough. He married a very interesting wife that was very supportive of her husband. Akhenaten and his actions were quite unbelievable; changing the whole Ancient Egyptian religion to monotheism. This was a king with no thought on what consequences his beliefs would have on his people and lead to what we believe happened today...

Bibliography: Hart, George. //Eyewitness Ancient Egypt,// New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc, 2004. (pg. 10) Harris, Geraldine. //Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Egypt,// New York, NY: Facts on File, 1990 (pgs. 36, 37, 68, 78, 79) Lindemans, Micha F. "Aten." //Encyclopedia Mythica.// 12 Feb. 1999. [] (5 Jan. 2012.)