Akhenaten (Amarna period)

Amenhotep IV reign begins

1350 BCE

Aten

1349 BCE

Amenhotep IV introduced the new vision of the Re-Horakhte (sun god, sun disk) as the sole god in Egypt. ]
He errected four sun temples near the enclosure of the God Amun-Re at Karnak.
In his third year Amenhotep celebrated a jubilee. (sed festival)

Leaving old icons behind

1347 BCE

In his third year of reign Akhenaten replaced the anthropomorphic God (falcon head man) with an icon. Taking on the disk the Aten was now represented as a large disk with the ureaus and arm like rays ending in hands.
The new icon was accompanied by double cartouches and new eithet, was inscribed on the Karnak pylons and on the walls of the new sun temple complex.

Amarna Art

1345 BCE

The change in the depictions of the Gods and the royal family was altered during Akhenaten's reign, confusing many Egyptians.
The images of past Pharaohs showed them as strong and large god like leaders, while Akhenaten is shows with woman like features. He is shown with
narrow upper torso, prominent buttocks, swelling thighs large head, long neak, large hips.
There are also art shown with Akhenaten level with his family and playing with his children.

Moving away from Thebes

1344 BCE

Akhenaten's belief that the Aten was the one and only god, was implemented with further intensity.
The king had announced that they would be founding a new capital city dedicated to the Aten halfway between Memphis and Thebes.
He built a cult center which belonged exclusively to the Aten.
By his 8th year the city of Akhenaten was the administrative and religious center of Egypt.

Akhenaten

1343 BCE

Amenhotep Iv changed his name to Akhenaten to have no further relation to the old gods.
As Amenhotep meant Amun is satisfied, while Akhenaten meant, he who is serviceable to the Aten

Implementing Monotheism

1342 BCE

Akhenaten soon lead his attack on the old Gods in order to strengthen the Aten.
Akhenaten ordered the closure of all the temples dedicated to other Gods. Erasure of the God's names of the walls of the temple and tombs. The mortuary Gods such as Osiris were no longer mentioned in the text and the Osiran funerary rites no longer practiced. The plural words of 'Gods' were no longer used again during Akhenaten's reign.

Egyptian Economy

1336 BCE

The cost of Akenatens Jubilee was large amounts of money however, it was the move of the capital city that took a hit to the fiances of Egypt.
By shutting down the temples of Amun which gained large fortune through gifts to the temples, less money was coming into Egypt. By doing so he stopped the money in this 'temple based economy'.
the construction of Armana led to a large depletion in the wealth of Egypt.

Nefertiti dies

1336 BCE

The beloved wife of Akhenaten dies. The chief wife whom gave Akhanaten 6 daughters. Her name meaning 'a beautiful woman has come'. Neferititi was shown officiating as the kings equal and from this time she is treated as the kings equal not only in family life but in religious and political life. She is described as as 'possessed of charm', 'sweet of love' and one who make other happy just by the sound of her voice.

Foreign Affairs

1335 BCE

Due to Akhenaten acting as the sole priest of Egypt, he soon began to lack military and political affairs.
Egypt loss control of Western Asia, soon loosing Palestine and Syria. As at the end of his reign Syrian prices began to demand independence but no army was sent to Syria to regain Egypt control.
The Hittites also regained power during his reign.

Akhenaten dies

1333 BCE

Akhenatens mummy has never been found. It was most likely destroyed during Horemheb reign as he attempted to destroy all evidence of Akhenaten

Legacy of Akhenaten

1332 BCE

The doctrine of the Aten was short lived as Egypt quickly turned back the Amun and other Gods. As after his passing the old way of Egypt was quickly established, with the city of Amarna soon abandoned and turning to ruin.
Akhenaten was attempted to be removed from History by many of his successors as his reign then slowly led to the decline and conclusion of the Egyptian empire