Akhenaten Influence

Words: 637

Pages: 3

Open Document

During Egypt's Amarna Period (c. 1353–c. 1336 BC), the iconography of the Royal Family significantly differed from that of their predecessors, but the desire to be perceived as godlike to reinstate power remained. Some historians suggest that this controversial overhaul of Egyptian conventions was ‘early artistic realism’ as artwork depicts its subjects with peculiar bodily features, with an unprecedented focus on royal women, children, and familial affection. Yet contemporary evidence suggests Akhenaten's fervent iconoclasm and motivation to diminish the Amun priesthood’s growing influence were presumably the instigators.

While the representations of Akhenaten were contrastive to traditional Egyptian art, the desire of the pharaoh to be perceived as godlike or divinely connected to a deity was reiterated by the majority of New Kingdom …show more content…
In surviving Egyptian artworks, royal women traditionally held a subsidiary role in art, appearing distinctly smaller than their husbands, if they were to appear at all. Conversely, Akhenaten’s art was often an homage to Nefertiti, evident in the inscriptions of the Queen on Akhenaten’s sarcophagus. Moreover, it was generally difficult to differentiate between the two, as Nefertiti appeared to be the same size. These bold alterations were presumably provoked by Atenist fervour. Akhenaten and Nefertiti connected themselves with the twin deities Shu and Tefnut by aligning as nearly identical figures. Furthermore, Nefertiti was almost always depicted with a flat-top blue crown, the same that the goddess Tefnut adorned. In addition to the Aten, Shu and Tefnut are emblematic of renewal and life. Seemingly, Akhenaten was attempting to unite himself, Nefertiti, and the Aten—the "Father and Mother" of the earth and heavens—into a divine

Akhenaten In Egyptian Culture

Akhenaten means, ‘the one who is useful to Aten,’ he reigned for sixteen years creating much political and social change during the Armana period. Akhenaten is one of the most controversial figures in Egyptian studies, as he was at first considered a monotheist and to have completely subverted traditional Egyptian ways of belief. Taking both written and material evidence into account it is clear that this viewpoint is symptomatic of western, christian, anachronistic belief systems reflected within…

Words 1901 - Pages 8

Amenhotep III: Effective Spirit Of Aten

hundreds of miles from the famous sights of Cairo and Luxor there are no tourists visiting there and below the ground lies the lost city (0:0:36). About 3,000 years ago, this abandoned landscape was the capital of the mighty Egypt empire ruled by Akhenaten ("He who is of service to the Aten" or "Effective Spirit of Aten") is one of the most famous pharaohs of ancient Egypt, despite the attempts of later rulers to omit him from the lists of kings. He began his reign under the name Amenhotep IV ("Amun…

Words 589 - Pages 3

AKHENATENS REIGN (points) Essay

evidence – wall relief of vizier of the South shows Akhenaten wearing the Khepresh (blue crown of coronation) on a throne under a canopy with the goddess Maat Year 1 – according to Demovic – “adopted his favourite epithet” – Beautiful Child of the Living Sun Disc Reveals his relationship to the Aten Year 6 – name change from ‘Amenhotep IV’ to ‘Akhenaten’ Coincided with intensity in his belief of Aten as one, only god Amenhotep = ‘Amun is Satisfied’ Akhenaten = ‘He Who is Serviceable to the Aten’ King –…

Words 8729 - Pages 35

How Did Tutankhaten Influence Modern Culture

empire from the shambles that had been left. The most effective actions Tutankhaten did were his response to the religious upheaval, the plan to restore the army to fight the Hittites, and his significant influence on modern day culture. Before Tutankhaten had acquired the throne, his father, Akhenaten, had the power. Akhenaten’s changes to the culture were abrupt and clashed with the citizens everyday life. Atkenaten banned all of the gods except for Aten, the sun god. This caused most priests and…

Words 797 - Pages 4

King Tutankhamun In Ancient Egypt

from his tomb have toured the world. The "mysterious" deaths of a few of those who excavated Tutankhamun's tomb has been popularly attributed to the curse of the pharaohs. Tutankhaten, means "Living Image of Aten". Tutankhamun was the son of Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) As a prince, he was known as Tutankhaten. He achieved throne in 1333 BC, at the age of nine or ten, taking the name Nebkheperure. When he became king, he married his half-sister, Ankhesenpaaten, who later changed her name to Ankhesenamun…

Words 556 - Pages 3

Ancient History Practice Test Essay

he was about ten when his brother died of unknown causes, after reigning only three years. Ahmose I assumed the throne after the death of his brother, and upon coronation became known as Neb-Pehty-Re. The reign is around 1550–1525 BC. 12. Akhenaten Akhenaten known before the fifth year of his reign as Amenhotep IV, was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt who ruled for 17…

Words 2395 - Pages 10

history of scultpure Essay

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ab21 The art of our species If Neanderthal man created any form of art, no traces of it have yet been found. But with the arrival of modern man, or Homo sapiens sapiens, the human genius for image-making becomes abundantly clear. In the recesses of caves, people begin to decorate the rock face with an important theme in their daily lives, the bison and reindeer which are their prey as Ice Age hunters. And sculptors carve…

Words 2135 - Pages 9

Ancient Egyptian Religion

preoccupation with deity influence upon death and their beliefs about the afterlife…

Words 766 - Pages 4

Akhenaten: The Idea Of A Monotheistic Religion

with the beginning of the Coptic people of Egypt. The word “Copt” is derived from the Greek term “Aigyptos,” meaning “Egyptian.” As descendants of the ancient Egyptians, the Copts are often given the title of “the modern sons of the Pharaohs.” Akhenaten, one of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt was the first to introduce the idea of a monotheistic religion or praying to one god rather than to the several deities the ancient Egyptians worshiped. What makes Egypt and its Christian congregation unique…

Words 809 - Pages 4

Essay On Ancient Egyptian Religion

invasion. They created a culture so rich and diverse, that its influence still transcends into today’s western world. The ancient Egyptians are polytheistic in nature and the rich polytheistic culture and rituals shaped their daily life, art, religious beliefs, funerary practices, Kingship and the erection of monuments. The ancient Egyptian religion is centered on deities and as time moves on, their religious belief which influences their whole existence changes based on the rise and fall of important…

Words 854 - Pages 4