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Evaluation of Akhenaten
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Akhenaten certainly had both influence and impact on New Kingdom Egypt. But his influence as Pharaoh was inherited and the impact he had on his time was hardly positive. The “religious revolution” was hardly his own achievement, his apparent withdrawal from politics left Egypt’s hold on her Imperial colonies non-existential, and his succesors’ restoration programs are tell-tale signs of the negative impact Akhenaten had on his time. He failed to achieve the principle of Ma’at for his people.
Akhenaten is known to the world as “The Heretic Pharaoh” who changed Egypt’s religion. He is known for abolishing the polytheistic nature of Egyptian religion and switching the main god from Amun to Aten. He is credited for the “religious revolution” of the time. But how much impact and influence did he weld over this event? Evidence suggests that he be credited for the “religious revolution” to an extent. For one, the deification of the Aten was Thutmose IV’s idea – he thanked Aten for protection in battle on a commemorative scarab. The gratitude portrayed on the scarab usually went to Amun, the primary god of the time. Amenhotep III, Akhenaten’s father, began to further establish and prioritise the cult of Aten, as can be seen through the hymn to the sun on the tomb stela of architects Suty and Hor, “Sole one, Unique one, who traverses eternity.” This Hymn highlights the monotheism synonymous with Atenism. As Egyptologist Sir Alan Gardinier puts, “revolution was already in the air”....
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