Egypt in the midst of a “golden age” in the 1,300s BCE.
Capital of Northern (Lower) Egypt: Memphis.
Officials were abundant here; served as the government headquarters of Egypt.
Capital of Southern (Upper) Egypt: Thebes.
Considered the “heart” of Egypt, this was the center of religion in Egypt.
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Amenhotep IV becomes Pharaoh
His brother dies suddenly, and Amenhotep IV is now in line to be pharaoh!
Problems...?
Did he have a disease or disability?
Was he neglected as a child?
Did he rule alongside his father?
Amenhotep IV's reign is known as the “Amarna Period.” (1353-1336 BCE)
Scholars think his queen, Nefertiti, ruled alongside him at some point; she has gained further recognition due to a famous bust of her head.
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The Amarna Period Begins
Suddenly, in the 5th year of his reign, Amenhotep IV becomes “obsessed” with Aten, a little-known sun god.
Changes his name to Akhenaten.
Declares that there is no other god but Aten.
Begins building the city of Amarna and moves the Egyptian capital there.
Allows bold new styles in Egyptian art, breaking boundaries and depicting himself as realistic and not idealized. Artists could also show the pharaoh in casual poses and could be realists in their art!
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The Amarna Period
The City of Amarna
Located on the East bank of the Nile.
Akhenaten builds his royal palace on both sides of the main road, connecting it together with an overpass dubbed the “Window of Appearances” in which Akhenaten and Nefertiti would address Egyptian crowds.
Temple of Amarna = extremely different from most temples!
Open air, size of 2 football fields.
“Great Hymn to the Aten” (1350 BCE): Akhenaten writes a poetic hymn praising the Aten!
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The Amarna Period Ends
Akhenaten's final, revolutionary decree: there is no longer an afterlife.
His reign causes instability and unrest in Egypt which he neglects for his own city of Amarna.
Akhenaten's Legacy
He inherited an empire and left his kingdom in ruins.
His son, Tut, would restore former gods to their glory and move the capital back to the traditional location.
Should be be viewed as a good leader or a bad leader?