Akhenaten implemented a number of significant religious changes during his reign as Pharaoh during the 19th Dynasty. Most prominent of these was the initiation of a religious revolution, including the transition from traditional Egyptian religious beliefs of polytheism towards AkhenatenÃÂs new brand of monotheism. In this new religion the sole god was ÃÂThe AtenÃÂ, though only through Akhenaten, who claimed he had ÃÂspecial knowledgeÃÂ could it be contacted or prayed to.
Gardiner and Redford maintain that ÃÂchange was in the air during the reign of his father (Amonhtep III)ÃÂ, and Breasted similarly claims that first impressions of monotheism occurred in the reign of Amonhtep III. A sun-hymn on a stela during this time is seen as ÃÂdiscerning the unlimited scope of the Sun GodÃÂs realmÃÂ . When Akhenaten succeeded his father, there was much confrontation as the sun disk became increasingly associated with royalty. On one hand was the innate Egyptian conservatism, and on the other Akhenaten leading a powerful urge towards monotheism with the old Sun God.
A "house altar" (c. 1350 BC) depicting Akhenaten, ...
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Pharaoh Akhenaten and his family adoring the Aten,...An apparent compromise led to his new revolutionary solar faith, whereby he described himself as ÃÂthe beautiful child of the sunÃÂ .
It was not until AkhenatenÃÂs fifth year in power did an overhaul of religious changes begin. Since the beginning of his reign he had suggested the Aten was the only true god. According to Breasted, Akhenaten erected ÃÂat ThebesÃÂ a sumptuous temple to the new godÃÂ . Following this, Akhenaten attempted to ÃÂobliterate all trace of the existence of AmunÃÂ . This specifically included all recognition of ÃÂGodsÃÂ in the plural form. Aldred describes it as ÃÂÃÂ sweeping away much of the obscure imagery and esoteric symbolism of the old religion and replaced them by an easily recognisable and attractive iconographyÃÂ . This is said to have centered on the domestic...