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Akhenaten Biography

Akhenaten was an Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled for 17 years and

died perhaps in 1336 BC or 1334 BC. This biography provides

detailed information about his childhood, life, career,

achievements, works & timeline.

Quick Facts

Also

Known AsAmenhotep IV, Amenophis IV

Famous

asPharoah of Egypt

Nationality Egyptian

Rel ig ion Atenism

Born in Egypt

Place of

deathEgypt

Father Amenhotep III

Mother Tiye

Siblings Iset, Sitamun

Spouses Kiya, Nefertiti, Meritaten, Ankhesenamun

Children

Tutankhamun, Meketaten, Ankhesenamun,

Meritaten, Neferneferure, Neferneferuaten

Tasherit, Setepenre, Smenkhkare, Ankhesenpaaten

Tasherit

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Akhenaten was an Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled for 17 years and

died perhaps in 1336 BC or 1334 BC. While most rulers would

think of invading neighbouring kingdoms to expand their

territory, Akhenatens interests solely lied within the confines ofEgypt. In his long tenure, Akhenaten focussed more on making

Atenism (a religion for the followers of the Sun god) the only

religion of Egypt. His devotion for the Sun god was often

reflected through the architecture in Egypt during his times,

which glorified the deity. Akhenaten is also known for writing a

long hymn in praise of the god. Artefacts which proved this

Egyptian Pharohs existence were discovered only recently, inthe 19th Century. Many of the inscriptions which were recovered

revealed that Akhenaten was insensitive to his allies. He did

little to help the neighbouring allies of Egypt recover from

situations of acute political crisis. Many of the modern day-

historians and researchers are of the opinion that Akhenaten

was one of the very few Scientific-thinking people of his times.

Childhood & Early Life

Akhenaten was the younger son of Queen Tiye and

Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Though his parents wanted to

crown their eldest son Prince Thutmose, Akhenaten was

the one who succeeded his father since Thutmose had

died at a young age.

Career

Akhenaten was formal ly announced as Amenhotep IV in

the Egyptian city of Thebes. Its still a debate amongst

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historians and researchers, whether Akhenaten was

crowned the prince after his fathers demise. Its also

believed that he shared the throne with Amenhotep III

even before the latters death.

One of the first works which Akhenaten undertook as an

emperor was modifying the temples in his kingdom. He

decorated the south entrance of T he Temple of Amun-Re,

where one of the walls depicted Akhenaten worshipping

the sun god Re-Harakhte.

Akhenaten int roduced a new concept to Egyptian culture

called Atenism. During his reign, several buildings were

constructed as a mark of respect to the disc of the sun

god Aten.During his reign, Akhenaten tried his best to establish

Aten as the supreme god of Egypt. He also diverted the

funds meant for other gods and cults towards the service

of the sun god. This vision of Akhenaten came to be

known later to the world as Judaism.

Akhenaten was also well-known amongst rulers of other

dynasties. Archaeologists have found various inscriptions,

which seemed like letters apparently addressed to the

Pharaoh by rulers of Babylon, Assyria, and Hatti.

Its also believed that Akhenatens relationship with

Tushratta, the ruler of Mittani turned sour later. Even in

few of Tushrattas messages, discovered recently, the

ruler has complained of being deceived by the Pharaoh.

Its said that Akhinaten had sent him statues which were

not made of gold, but were gold-plated.

Akhenaten later on neglected his neighbouring kingdoms,

and had no intention of paying heed to any of their

grievances. Few of Egypts allies repeatedly asked for the

Pharaohs help to capture the kingdom of Hittite, but the

latter had refused to send his troops.

An al ly which Akhenaten had greatly disappointed was Rib

Hadda. Researchers have found more than 60 letters

addressed to Akhenaten by Rib-Hadda where the latter

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had sought Akhenatens help in solving the political crisis

of his kingdom.

Major Works

It was time and again proved that Akhenaten was a great

admirer of the sun god Aten. He even wrote the longest

poem in praise of the deity titled Great Hymn to TheAten.

Personal Life & Legacy

Akhinaten married Nefertiti dur ing the ear ly part of his

reign. Historians claim that the couple had six daughters.

Few sources also say that the Pharaoh had another wife

by name Kiya. It was also recently discovered that

Akhinaten had a son with one of his biological sisters. The

child was later known as Tutankhamen who was also a

pharaoh.

Few archaeologists are of the opinion that Kiya is the

mother of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen and Akhenatens

successor Smenkhkare. Its also believed by few that the

emperor had used a couple of his daughters for sexualpurposes, mainly with an intention of getting a male child

to succeed him.

Other than Nefertiti, there were a couple of other women

who shared the title of being the Queen. Akhinatens

daughter Meritaten was named the Great Royal Wife. In

one of the recently found inscriptions, Akhinatens mother

Tiye was also mentioned as one of the Pharaohs

beloved.

Another theory associated with Akhenatens life is that he

suffered from genetic abnormality. It was also reported

that the Pharaoh fell prey to Froelichs Syndrome and

Marfans Syndrome. However DNA tests conducted

recently on his son Tutankhamuns body showed negative

results for Marfans Syndrome, ruling out the possibility

of such a disorder affecting Akhenaten.

The date and cause of Akhenatens death are unknown,

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but researchers have found a tomb named KV55 in the

valleys of Egypt. The tomb reportedly contained the body

of Pharaoh Tutankhamuns father, and is supposed to be

Akhenaten himsel f.

Trivia

Akhenatens life has been a subject of great interest forwriters and researchers. Noted English writer, Agatha

Christie had penned a play titled Akhnaton, where she

spoke about the emperor. More than a dozen books,

pieces of music and even a few films have drawn

inspiration from his great life.

Prominent among the books based on the emperors life

were The Eye of Ra by Michael Asher, and The Sleeper

in The Sands by Tom Holland.