Akhenaton (A Reforming Pharaoh)

Akhenaton

(AH-kuck-not-ton)

This guy changed everything!

Akhenaton

He became the pharaoh in 1353 BC. One thing Akhenaton wanted to change was Egyptian religion. Ancient Egypt was NOT a free country. The people had to change their religious beliefs too! The people had no voice in this.

Polytheism

Ancient Egyptians practiced polytheism. This means they worshiped many gods. Akhenaton set out to change this. He wanted his people to worship one special god (whether they wanted to or not).

A Sun God Named Aton

Akhenaton declared a god named Aton the most important god and closed the temples of other gods. Aton was a disc god that traveled the sky (the sun).

Changing Religion

Priests who served other gods suddenly lost power. They became angry. Priests also feared that the other Egyptian gods would be angry with this change.

Changes in Art

Akhenaton also changed the rules of art. Before he became pharaoh, there were strict rules about how pharaohs were portrayed. Before Akhenaton , pharaohs appeared perfect and were doing important, royal activities.

No Filter

Akhenaton shocked the people by showing the pharaoh and his family realistically. The pharaoh even had a chubby belly and skinny arms in his royal artwork.

Artwork of Akhenaton

The topic of ancient Egyptian artwork changed too. For example, here is a family portrait of Akhenaton with his wife and daughters. The disc god Aton is shining down and blessing the royal family.

Time to move!

Akhenaton decided that he needed to move the capital city in order to get away from the old temples and old ways. He forced the citizens to pack up and move to a new place far out in the desert. He ordered an entire new city to be built to honor him, his wife and Aton (the sun).

And it's gone....

Akhenaton's new religion did not last long. Three years after Akhenaton died, his young son Tutankhamen came to power. His advisors convinced King Tut to reject all Akhenaton's changes.

Akhenaton "Cancelled"

His image and names were removed from monuments. His temples were dismantled. People packed up and returned to the original capital cities of Thebes and Memphis. The city of Akhenaton gradually crumbled back into the desert.

Rediscovery of a King

Akhenaton's name and those of his family (except Tut) were removed. His image was chiseled out of walls. This is exactly what happened to Hatshepsut. People pretty much forgot all about Akhenaton until King Tutankhamen's tomb and Akhenaton's city were found hidden in the desert.

Were you paying attention?

Please answer the questions.

Multiple Choice

Akhenaton wanted to worship how many gods?

• one

• two

• three

• four

Multiple Choice

How did Akhenaton change art?

• Paintings had to be black and white only.

• The pharaoh and his family must appear to look perfect.

• The pharaoh and his family were to appear as they actually looked.

• Artists were not allowed to show the pharaoh's children.

Multiple Choice

What did the god Aten (or Aton) look like?

• A cat's head on a woman's body

• A golden beetle

• A disc with rays, like the sun

• Rain clouds

Multiple Choice

What did the priests feel about Akhenaton's religious changes?

• Priests agreed with Akhenaton's new ideas.

• The changes had no real effect on the priests.

• Angry! The priests lost their power.

Multiple Choice

Did Akhenaton's changes last in ancient Egypt?

• Yes...the people of Egypt kept Akhenaton's changes. He was honored for many years after his death.

• No...in factAkhenaton's name and image were removed. Akhenaton was forgotten not long after he died.

Open Ended

Please restate the question and include evidence in your answer. Your answer is to be a complete sentence.

What is one change Akhenaton made to ancient Egypt while he was pharaoh?