Akhenaten's Reign as Pharaoh

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the ruler of Egypt known as Akhenaten. It describes his reign as Pharaoh of the Sun and how he changed Egyptian culture. The paper illustrates the history of Akhenaten's rise to power and his duration as pharaoh (including the artistic aspects and new architectural designs). It then argues that Akhenaten was not a heretic, as it has been suggested.

Table of Contents:
Background & Further Introduction
Religion of Light; Evidence to the Contrary
Art & Innovation: Evidence of Akhenaten as a Progressive Pharaoh
History
Akhenaten as Heretic
Revolution in Architecture
Controversy
Politics
After Effects
Akhenaten
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Akhenaten was an icon figure as can be seen in the surviving art. He was a family man as is proof from the hieroglyphics of him and Nefertiti playing with their children and mourning over their dead daughter by her bedside. In these representations alone historians can witness the saintly nature of Akhenaten and know that the heretic rumors are mere lies presented by Amun priests who wanted to ensure that monotheism did not remain a strong religion in Egypt. Akhenaten created a civilization based by living in truth. There is no true testimony to Akhenaten being a heretic or a madman, in the representations that exist of him he is the opposite of this; he was a revolutionary, a pharaoh, a family man whose reign left a lasting artistic impression."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Collier, Joy. "The Heretic Pharaoh." Marboro Books. 1991.
• Gore, Rick. "Pharaohs of the Sun". National Geographic. Vol. 199 Issue 4, p34. April 2001.
• Hornung, Redford. "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light." Artemis and Winkler Verlag. Zurich. 1995.
• Raymaekers, J. "AKHENATEN-ANCIENT EGYPT'S PRODIGAL SON?" History Today. Vol. 40 Issue 1, p26. January 1990.
• Redford, Donald B. "Akhenaten the Heretic." Princeton University Press. 1984.

More papers on Akhenaten's Reign as Pharaoh:

• Research Paper # 108578 : "Akhenaten - The Heretic Pharaoh"
• Essay # 50031 : "Pharaoh Akhenaten"
• Essay # 9595 : "King Akhenaten"

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