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 As

Amenhotep IV, Amenophis IV

Famous
as

Pharoah of Egypt

Nationality Egyptian
Religion

Atenism

Born in

Egypt

Place of
death

Egypt

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

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 of
Egypt. 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, in
the 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 dayhistorians 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. T hough his parents wanted to
crown their eldest son Prince T hutmose, Akhenaten was
the one who succeeded his father since T hutmose had
died at a young age.
Care e r
Akhenaten was formally announced as Amenhotep IV in
the Egyptian city of T hebes. Its still a debate amongst

historians and researchers, whether Akhenaten was

crowned the prince after his father s demise. Its also
believed that he shared the throne with Amenhotep III
even before the latter s 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 introduced 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. T his 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 ally which Akhenaten had greatly disappointed was Rib
Hadda. Researchers have found more than 60 letters
addressed to Akhenaten by Rib-Hadda where the latter

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 T he
Aten.
Pe rsonal Life & Le gacy
Akhinaten married Nefertiti during the early 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. T he
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 sexual
purposes, 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.
T he date and cause of Akhenatens death are unknown,

but researchers have found a tomb named KV55 in the

valleys of Egypt. T he tomb reportedly contained the body
of Pharaoh Tutankhamuns father, and is supposed to be
Akhenaten himself.
Triv ia
Akhenatens life has been a subject of great interest for
writers 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 emperor s life
were T he Eye of Ra by Michael Asher, and T he Sleeper
in T he Sands by Tom Holland.