Akhenaton, also known as Amenhotep IV, was the 10th pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled for 17 years, from 1353 to 1336 BCE. During his reign, he introduced a number of religious and social reforms that dramatically changed Egypt's traditional beliefs and practices.
One of the most significant of these reforms was Akhenaton's attempt to establish a new monotheistic religion centered around the worship of the sun god Aten. This was a radical departure from the traditional polytheistic religion of Egypt, which involved the worship of multiple gods and goddesses. Akhenaton believed that Aten was the one true god and that all other gods were false.
Akhenaton's new religion was accompanied by a number of other changes, including the construction of a new capital city at Amarna, the abandonment of traditional religious rituals and festivals, and the suppression of the worship of other gods. These changes were deeply unpopular with many Egyptians, who saw them as a threat to their traditional beliefs and way of life.
How did the Egyptians react to Akhenaton's changes?
Akhenaton's religious reforms met with widespread resistance from the Egyptian people. The traditional priesthood, who were responsible for the maintenance of the old religion, were particularly opposed to Akhenaton's changes and actively worked to undermine his authority. The common people were also unhappy with the new religion, as they felt that it was too exclusive and that it did not provide the same level of comfort and support as the traditional polytheistic religion.
In response to this opposition, Akhenaton became increasingly authoritarian. He suppressed all forms of dissent and persecuted those who opposed his reforms. He also launched a campaign of destruction against the temples of other gods, and he even went so far as to change his own name to Akhenaton, which means "the glory of Aten."
Despite Akhenaton's efforts, his new religion never gained widespread acceptance in Egypt. After his death, the traditional polytheistic religion was restored, and the city of Amarna was abandoned. Akhenaton's reign is considered to be a period of great upheaval and turmoil in Egyptian history.