(Akhenaten)
1352-1336 B.C.
18th Dynasty
The tenth king of the 18th Dynasty was perhaps the most controversial because of his break
with traditional religion. Some say that he was the most remarkable king to sit upon Egypts
throne. Akhenaten was traditionally raised by his parents, Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy
(1382-1344 B.C.) by worshipping Amen. Akhenaten, however, preferred Aten, the sun god
that was worshipped in earlier times. Early in his reign he changed his name to Akhenaten,
meaning He Who is of Service to Aten and renamed his queen to Nefer-Nefru-Aten, which
is Beautiful is the Beauty of Aten. The king and his queen, leaving Thebes behind, built
elaborate buildings at Akhenaten (Amarna) The Horizon of Aten. He then sent his officials
around to destroy Amens statues and to desecrate the worship sites. These actions were so
contrary to the traditional that opposition arose against him. The estates of the great temples of
Thebes, Memphis and Heliopolis reverted to the throne. Corruption grew out of the
mismanagement of such large levies. Akhenaten died in the 18th year of his reign. His
successor, Horemhab, claimed his reign began from the date of Amenhotep III, thus wiping
out the entire rule of Akhenaten.
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