Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton)
Reign: 1350 - 1334 BC
Dynasty: 18 Religious Revolution
Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaton, meaning "the Servant of Aten" early in his reign. Whereas his father, Amenhotep III, had sought to reduce the increasing power of the priesthood, Akhenaton practically dismantled it. Akhenaton started his reign like most Egyptian kings. However, fairly early in his reign, he introduced a monotheistic worship of Aten, the Sun God. At first, he attempted to place temples worshiping Aten next to temples for other gods. Eventually, he closed all the other temples and took their revenues.
In the process of this religious revolution, Akhenaton placed himself as the intermediary between Aten and the people. This helped eliminate the need for the priesthood. As the only one with access to the god, Akhenaten established himself as a god-king and became the first king to be called Pharoah.
New Capital at el-Armana
In a move to further distance, he created a new capital at Akhenaton now known as el-Armana. The sacred city had never been occupied before Akhenaton moved his capital nor did it outlast Akhenaton's reign. After Akhenaton's death, the backlash forced his son, Tutankhamun to reverse the move to monotheism and return to the worship of many gods. During his reign, it appears likely that only the nobles embraced the Aten cult but even much of that may have been just to stay in favor with the king. Although, even without their temples the laypeople maintained their old worship practices.
Changes in Art
During this period, of change during Akhenaton's reign has become known as "The Armana Revolution" or "The Armana Interlude". Besides the changes involving the king's position and title, the religious movements, and the capital there was a new artistic style used as well. Bek, Akhenaton's "Chief Sculptor and Master" proclaims in a stele that the king told the artists to create "what they saw ''. In earnest, this led to the development of a more realistic style in the official art that in many cases continued after Akhenaton's time.
Akhenaton's Physiognomy
When the first portraits of Akhenaton and his wife Nefertiti were uncovered they were thought to represent two women because of Akhenaton's body style. Akhenaton's sculptures usually show him with an elongated neck, protruding belly and a lower body form more closely related to the way women were depicted. For a while, it was thought that Akhenaton was a woman. Interestingly, there is a theory that Akhenaton may have developed a condition known as Frolich's Syndrome late in life. Effectively, this tumor of the pituitary gland can result in body deformations very similar to Akhenaton's depiction.
[Edited by Hannah Holbert, 2023]