Akhenaten: Why The Aten?
Natalie MacPherson
Davis
English 100, Section 1024
30 April 2016
Akhenaten: Why the Aten? I crawl through the small tunnels of tomb KV55, an archeological dig that was opened over a century ago. This is the tomb of Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III and mother of the future ruler Akhenaten. It is strange then, that Akhenaten’s body would be found in her tomb (Lorenz). But this strange occurance is just the final product of the intriguing life that Akhenaten experienced as a life ruled by a single deity known as the Aten. Why did this pharaoh go against all traditions of polytheism? What was it about this all-powerful god made of light that attracted him?
As I approach the sarcophagus in which Akhenaten’s mummy lay, I reflected on what powerful emotions must have come over the citizens of this neglected utopia. These civilians followed this man into the desert and helped build this ancient, abandoned city in his name. When Akhenaten failed to deliver, they had no choice but to go back to the old ways. In the tomb, as throughout Egypt, all images of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti, or their names were …show more content…
You did so in such a way that your divinity as spiritual son of the god did not allow for questioning as well. This explains your actions. Now, what does The Aten mean on a more personal level?
[AKH]: I am living in truth. O Aten, ‘thou are in my heart … The world came into being by thy hand, according as thou hast made them” (Akhenaten). I was made with this body and this mind by design. I shall not hide it, despite attempts made against me in youth. I celebrate the new age of truth over ideals and encourage my citizens to do the same. Artists shall sculpt my family in our natural ways. No more with illusions! You shall see painted on walls me at a meal with my wife and children. We are sitting, we are eating, and we are joyous (The Historian).
[NAT]: Do you remember any specific events concerning The
Davis
English 100, Section 1024
30 April 2016
Akhenaten: Why the Aten? I crawl through the small tunnels of tomb KV55, an archeological dig that was opened over a century ago. This is the tomb of Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III and mother of the future ruler Akhenaten. It is strange then, that Akhenaten’s body would be found in her tomb (Lorenz). But this strange occurance is just the final product of the intriguing life that Akhenaten experienced as a life ruled by a single deity known as the Aten. Why did this pharaoh go against all traditions of polytheism? What was it about this all-powerful god made of light that attracted him?
As I approach the sarcophagus in which Akhenaten’s mummy lay, I reflected on what powerful emotions must have come over the citizens of this neglected utopia. These civilians followed this man into the desert and helped build this ancient, abandoned city in his name. When Akhenaten failed to deliver, they had no choice but to go back to the old ways. In the tomb, as throughout Egypt, all images of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti, or their names were …show more content…
You did so in such a way that your divinity as spiritual son of the god did not allow for questioning as well. This explains your actions. Now, what does The Aten mean on a more personal level?
[AKH]: I am living in truth. O Aten, ‘thou are in my heart … The world came into being by thy hand, according as thou hast made them” (Akhenaten). I was made with this body and this mind by design. I shall not hide it, despite attempts made against me in youth. I celebrate the new age of truth over ideals and encourage my citizens to do the same. Artists shall sculpt my family in our natural ways. No more with illusions! You shall see painted on walls me at a meal with my wife and children. We are sitting, we are eating, and we are joyous (The Historian).
[NAT]: Do you remember any specific events concerning The