Akhenaten (1380 BC - 1336 BC)

Akhenaten was born in Egypt around 1380 BC. He was the second son of Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE) and his wife Tiye, husband of Queen Nefertiti, and father of both Tutankhamun (by a lesser wife named Lady Kiya) and Tutankhamun's wife Ankhsenamun

When his older brother died, Akhenaten became the crown prince of Egypt. He grew up in the royal palace learning about how to be the leader of Egypt.

He is also known as 'Akhenaton' or 'Ikhnaton' and also 'Khuenaten', all of which are translated to mean 'successful for' or 'of great use to' the god Aten.

Akhenaten took over as pharaoh around the year 1353 BC when his father died. Under his father's rule, Egypt had become one of the most powerful and wealthy nations in the world. Ancient Egypt was an economic and military powerhouse with strong international relations when Akhenaten ascended the throne towards the end of the 18th Dynasty.

By the time Akhenaten took the throne, his family had been ruling Egypt for nearly two hundred years and had established a huge empire dominating Palestine, Phoenicia, and Nubia.

He reigned for roughly 17 years during the 18th dynasty of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Akhenaten became best known for the new religion he created that centered on the Aten. The Aten was never shown in human or animal form, but represented as the sun disk with extended rays ending in hands.

Akhenaten sought the favor of the sun disc Aten, and introduced monotheism to stifle entrenched power and limit corruption amongst the influential priesthoods, bureaucracy, and nobles. He also wanted to cement his imprint as divine ruler of Egypt.

Akhenaten also overhauled its royal artistic style, moved Egypt’s capital to a previously unoccupied site, implemented a new form of architecture and attempted to obliterate the names and images of some of Egypt’s traditional gods.
Akhenaten (1380 BC - 1336 BC)