Akhenaten Facts & Worksheets

Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom period. He is perhaps best known for his religious reforms, which included the promotion of the sun god Aten as the supreme deity of Egypt.

See the fact file below for more information about Akhenaten, or you can download our 27-page Akhenaten worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CHILDHOOD AND EARLY LIFE

• Akhenaten was the son of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. He was likely born around 1380 BCE. His family background was prestigious, and his mother, Queen Tiye, was particularly influential during his early years.
• His mother was a non-royal woman of noble birth. Akhenaten was the couple’s second son, and he had an older brother named Thutmose, who died prematurely.
• His original name was Amenhotep IV, which included the name of the god Amun. However, when he initiated his religious reforms, he changed his name to Akhenaten, reflecting his devotion to the sun god Aten.
• As a prince, Akhenaten would have received a royal education that included statecraft, warfare, and religious matters. His education likely prepared him for his future role as pharaoh.

ASCENSION AND REIGN

• Akhenaten ascended to the throne around 1353 BCE, following the death of his father, Amenhotep III. He was relatively young when he became pharaoh.
• Akhenaten’s reign is often called the “Amarna Period” due to his establishment of a new capital city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna).
• He implemented significant changes during his reign:

Monotheism and Aten Worship:

• Akhenaten is most famous for his religious revolution, which centered around worshipping the sun disk Aten as the supreme and sole deity. This marked a significant departure from Egypt’s traditional polytheistic beliefs.

Name Change and Dedication to Aten:

• Akhenaten was initially named Amenhotep IV but changed it to Akhenaten to reflect his devotion to Aten. His previous name included the name of the god Amun, whom he sought to diminish in importance.

Relocation of the Capital:

• Akhenaten moved the capital of Egypt from Thebes to a new city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna). This move was a deliberate attempt to break away from the powerful priesthood of Amun in Thebes and establish a new center for the worship of Aten.

Artistic Changes and Iconography:

• The art and iconography of Akhenaten’s reign underwent a dramatic transformation. In contrast to the traditional, idealized representations of pharaohs, Akhenaten and his family were depicted in a more naturalistic and intimate style. 
• These artworks often showed the royal family worshiping Aten, with rays of sunlight ending in hands holding ankhs, symbolizing life.

Religious Temples and Structures:

• Akhenaten directed resources and labor for the construction of temples and structures dedicated to the worship of Aten. The most significant of these was the Great Temple of Aten at Akhetaten.

Suppression of Traditional Gods:

• Akhenaten’s religious reforms included suppressing Egypt’s traditional gods and redirecting resources away from their temples. 
• The priesthoods associated with these gods saw a decline in their influence.

Changing Role of Pharaoh:

• Akhenaten’s religious beliefs elevated the pharaoh to a unique position as the intermediary between Aten and the people. He presented himself and his family as the only true worshipers of Aten and claimed a direct connection to the god.

Foreign Relations and Diplomacy:

• Akhenaten’s religious reforms may have influenced his foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Some historians speculate that his focus on spiritual matters may have weakened Egypt’s external influence.

Reversal of Reforms:

• After Akhenaten’s death, his religious reforms were gradually reversed. His successor, Tutankhamun (formerly Tutankhaten), restored the traditional polytheistic religion of Egypt, and the capital was moved back to Thebes.

Historical Significance:

• Akhenaten’s reign remains a subject of fascination and study due to the radical nature of his religious reforms. His brief period of monotheism in ancient Egypt stands out as a unique chapter in the history of religion and culture.
• Akhenaten’s reign and religious reforms had a profound and lasting impact on Egypt’s history and the study of ancient Egyptian civilization. His efforts to establish Aten as the supreme deity and the associated changes in art, culture, and religious practices continue to be subjects of scholarly interest and debate.

ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES

Amarna City (Akhetaten):

• The establishment of Akhetaten, the new capital city founded by Akhenaten, is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries. Excavations near modern-day Amarna have uncovered numerous structures, including temples, palaces, houses, and tombs. These findings offer insights into the layout and architecture of the city.

Great Temple of Aten:

• Among the structures at Akhetaten, the Great Temple of Aten is a central archaeological discovery. It was dedicated to the worship of Aten and served as a focal point for the new religious practices introduced by Akhenaten.

Amarna Letters:

• The discovery of the Amarna Letters is a remarkable cache of diplomatic correspondence between Akhenaten’s Egypt and various foreign powers, including the Hittites, Babylonians, and Canaanite city-states.

• These clay tablets provide valuable historical information about the political and diplomatic relations of the time.

Amarna Art and Inscriptions:

• Artifacts and inscriptions from the Amarna Period feature distinctive artistic styles and religious iconography. Many depict Akhenaten, his wife, Queen Nefertiti, and their daughters in scenes of worshiping Aten. These artistic representations offer glimpses into the religious beliefs and practices of the period.

Boundary Stelae (Tablets):

• Akhenaten erected a series of boundary stelae around the city of Akhetaten, marking the extent of the new capital and emphasizing its dedication to Aten. These inscriptions provide both geographical and religious context for the city’s foundation.

Royal Tombs at Akhetaten:

• The tombs of Akhenaten and his family members, including Queen Nefertiti and other relatives, have been discovered in the cliffs surrounding Akhetaten. These tombs contain scenes and inscriptions that shed light on the family’s religious beliefs and the role of Aten in their afterlife.

Statuary and Iconographic Evidence:

• Numerous statues and depictions of Akhenaten and the royal family were found, often with distinctive features such as elongated skulls and elongated facial features. These artistic interpretations represent the new artistic style of the Amarna Period and its emphasis on naturalism.

Reversed Reforms:

• Later archaeological evidence, including inscriptions and artifacts from the reign of Tutankhamun and other pharaohs who followed Akhenaten, reveals the reversal of his religious reforms. Temples dedicated to traditional gods were restored, and references to Aten were removed or altered.
• These archaeological discoveries and evidence have contributed significantly to our understanding of Akhenaten’s reign, his religious reforms, and the cultural and political context of ancient Egypt during the Amarna Period. 

Akhenaten Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Akhenaten across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Akhenaten. Akhenaten is perhaps best known for his religious reforms, which included the promotion of the sun god Aten as the supreme deity of Egypt.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Akhenaten Facts
2. The New Kingdom
3. Akhenaten’s Role
4. Symbols of Akhenaten
5. Atenism
6. Temple of Aten
7. Amarna Today
8. Time to Reflect
9. Quick Review
10. 4415 Echnaton
11. An Ancient Portrait

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Akhenaten?

Akhenaten, originally known as Amenhotep IV, was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom period, around 1353-1336 BCE. He is best known for his radical religious reforms and his attempt to shift Egypt’s religious focus from the traditional polytheistic worship of many gods to the exclusive worship of the sun god Aten.

What were Akhenaten’s religious reforms?

Akhenaten introduced a monotheistic form of worship centered around the sun disc Aten. He moved the capital of Egypt from Thebes to a new city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna) and closed traditional temples dedicated to other gods. Akhenaten and his queen, Nefertiti, played a prominent role in the worship of Aten, emphasizing the sun’s life-giving qualities.

How did Akhenaten’s rule impact Egyptian art?

Akhenaten’s reign marked a significant change in Egyptian art. The art of the Amarna period depicted the royal family and other figures in a more naturalistic and relaxed style. Akhenaten himself is often portrayed with elongated features and a distinctive physique. These changes in art were reflective of the shift in religious focus and the pharaoh’s desire to emphasize the royal family’s connection to Aten.

What happened to Akhenaten’s religious reforms after his death?

After Akhenaten’s death, his successor, Tutankhamun (formerly Tutankhaten), reversed many of the religious reforms. He restored the worship of traditional gods and moved the capital back to Thebes. Akhenaten’s name and monuments were often erased or defaced during this period, but his memory and the Amarna period’s art and history have since been rediscovered by archaeologists.

What is the significance of Akhenaten in Egyptian history?

Akhenaten’s reign is significant for several reasons. His religious reforms represent one of the earliest recorded instances of monotheism in history. His decision to shift Egypt’s religious focus had profound cultural and political implications. Additionally, the Amarna period provides valuable insights into ancient Egyptian art and society during the New Kingdom era. Despite the later attempts to erase his legacy, Akhenaten remains a fascinating figure in the study of ancient Egypt.

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