subject: The Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten and the Queen Nefertiti [print this page] Author: Rob Mabry Author: Rob Mabry
He was called the "Heretic King." The Pharaoh Akhenaten may well have been the first ruler of any culture to embrace monotheism. During his co-regency with his father Amenhotep III, he maintained the cultish rituals and polytheistic practices of the Egyptian faith at the time. After his politically advantageous marriage to Nefertiti of Akhmin, he began to worship only the solar God Aten. He then renounced his royal name, Amenhotep and assumed the moniker Akhenaten which meant "He Who Serves Aten." Nefertiti changed her name to Nefer-Nefru-Aten, or "Beautiful is the Beauty of Aten."
The priests of Thebes considered the actions of the Pharaoh heresy, prompting Akhenaten to set up a new court on the east bank of the Nile near what is now Amarna. The king's power could not be disputed although his monotheistic philosophy was questioned by many. This did not stop the people from following Akhenaten and the nearly 20,000 made their home in Akhenaten el-Armana, a massive city dominated by brilliant art and architecture. The city was well-designed with urban districts, gardens and a grand royal avenue running parllel to the Nile River. The avenue boasted an architecturally advanced bridge that connected two separate buildings and contained a large open area dubbed the 'Window of Appearance' where Akhenaten and his consort would make speeches, present dignitaries and grant honors on those who served the monarchy.
Akhenaten's celebration of the Sun God Aten, also brought about changes in Egyptian art. For the first time, Egyptian artists were inspired to create art centered on the celebration of life rather than death. Stelae - these stone tablet wall reliefs were common forms of art during this period. were decorated with paintings and text and often used to commemorate an event. They were crafted both for religious and decorative purposes. Little of the Pharaoh's 17-year reign remains. The priests of Thebes did all within their power to destroy any trace of the 'heretic Pharaohs' monotheistic legacy. A few artifacts from the time period do remain. One such piece is the Akhenaten and Family wall relief that sits in the Altes Museum in Berlin. The piece is unusual for its depiction of a more natural, 'slice of life' feel that's a far cry from the more regal, posed art seen prior to his rule. The inscriptions on the relief indicate that this was at Akhenaten's insistence. He is seen kissing one of his daughters. Nefertiti sits across from him, another daughter playing with her earring. Not all conventions of Egyptian art are abandoned. Although the daughters would have been nearly full grown at the time, they are depicted as much smaller than
their parents, symbolic of their lesser stature to the King and Queen.About the Author:
See a replica of the an Akhenaten Egyptian wall relief or Queen Nefertiti Bust both currently residing in museums in Berlin. Rob Mabry is a former Army journalist, screenwriter and technologist. He is owner of Your Museum Store, specializing in museum quality reproductions of fossils, art and artifacts from the world's finest museums.
