Pharaoh Akhenaten

The Heretic King, Akhenaten, ruled Egypt during a time of incredible prosperity. He lived with
his family in Thebes, a religious center and city of Amun. At a time when there were hundreds of
gods, religion was big business. Thousands of priests worked tirelessly, serving their gods.
Akhenaton's parents, Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy, had six children. However, Akhenaton
seems to be an outcast. Scientists now believe that he suffered from a disease called Marfan
Syndrome, a genetic defect shared with Abraham Lincoln. While he had no portraits, no mention
on monuments, his mother still seems to favor him greatly.
Akhenaton succeeded his father to the throne in 1352 B.C., in a rule that lasted 16 years. While
he is blamed for the loss of prosperity and decline in civilization in Egypt, evidence suggests that
this had been an ongoing problem, one that came to a head during Akhenaton's reign.
Ancient Egyptians had a pantheon of gods to choose from, led by Amun. Akhenaton's claim to
fame is his religious reforms. Under his rule, Egypt became a monotheistic society, ruled by one
God, Aten. This sun god was now the only God.
Although Thebes had been a religious center for generations, Akhenaton developed a new
religious center at Karnak. Obviously, religious differences between the two groups caused
strain. Akhenaton broke with tradition, closing temples, destroying statues, desecrating worship
sites, and taking the revenues given to the God Amun. The fallout from these actions would
affect Egyptian civilization for many years.
Akhenaton married the famous Queen Nefertiti, believed to be the most beautiful woman in the
world. Carved stela show the happy couple, surrounded by children, worshiping the sun disk,
Aten. In a rare show of affection, they are shown playing with their children.
Pharaoh Akhenaton was single-handedly responsible for changing thousands of years of art
tradition. Images of the other gods were now replaced by the one true image of Aten, the desk of
the sun. When the Pharaoh built his monuments, he did not idealize his form; in fact, sculptures
show him with a large head, wide hips, and elongated fingers and toes.
In the end, Akhenaton's dedication to monotheism could not last. He remained isolated in his
new Kingdom, neglecting foreign policy and the bitter complaints of his citizens. After his death
in 1332 B.C., Egypt returned to its polytheistic roots.
Pharaoh Akenaton, wife Nefertiti, and their children

The Bust of King Akenaton

Classicist Richard Cassaro's research focuses on ancient mysticism and secret
societies. His current project, Written In Stone, reveals never-before-seen visual
evidence of a "secret code" hidden in plain view in the architectural facades of the
world's most famous Gothic cathedrals. He examines how the code conveys an
ancient Pagan message to posterity that was fully intended by the Freemasons who
scholars say built these sacred structures. For a powerful preview, visit
www.DeeperTruth.com and download his illuminating PDF Report: Breaking The
Cathedral Code, Freemasonry's Triptych Secret Revealed. Also, visit his Sacred
Science blog at www.RichardCassaro.com