Akhenaten, The Mysterious Ruler

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Akhenaten, The Mysterious Ruler

Akhenaten is considered by many historians to be one of the most fascinating and individuals of the ancient world. It is been said that he created the first monotheistic religion. Did he do so?
We will explore this question, along with other factions of his life and reign.
In order to see how Akhenaten is considered a revolutionary and how his reign is different from those before his a look at the role of earlier “traditional” kings is needed. Then we will examine the royal house in Egyptian society during Amenhoten III's reign. What did he believe in? What of the relationship was there between father and son, a co-regency? And what of his mother, Tiye? What influence did she have on him, if any?
We will also look at references to Aten during Amenhoten III's rule.
To understand how revolutionary the worship of Aten was we need to look at the worship of other Egyptian gods and in particular Amon-Re.

Then a peek at the first years of the rule of then Amenhoten IV . Then the change occurs after about five years. Amenhoten IV changes his name to Akhenaten and declares that Aten is the god of his worship. There are several possibilities of why he decided to change to the worship of Aten, and move his capital. We'll explore these possibilities.
Who was Aten, and how was he worshiped? After all this is the god that Akhenaten worshiped and placed above all other gods. Historians argue whether or not Aten was worshiped as the sole god of Egypt. We will explore Aten and how he is worshiped and depicted. We will discuss the ethics of this new religion, if indeed there are any..
We shall see the king as a devoted family man. One who loved to be seen with wife and family. This was an unusual for a king of that time.
His attitude about truth brought about an art revolution as well as a religious one. This is seen on temples that he built and depictions that we find in them.
Looking through the eyes of noted historians such as Redford, Alfred, Breasted, and others we look at these questions and try to begin to understand the man that Redford calls "The Heritic King"..

I. Introduction
II. Traditional pharaoh role and traits.
A.How are past traditional rulers seen?
III. Amenhoten III
A. Religion
1. Description of various gods
2.

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