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 Religion in Tut’s Time
Religious Revolution
At the beginning of the 18th Dynasty, the god Amun took center stage and became the chief god of the state. Other prominent gods at this time were the creator god Ptah, the great god of the Underworld, Osiris, and many more. Monumental temples to these gods were built across the land.
When Amenhotep IV (later called Akhenaten) came to the throne, he was steeped in these orthodox beliefs. But he soon brought a new religion to prominence that would have repercussions for Tutankhamun, his son.
The Amarna Heresy
By the third year of his reign,  Amenhotep IV had begun a series of temples dedicated to the solar cult at Karnak. Called the Aten for short, this god was portrayed as a sun disk whose rays ended in human hands that extended ankh (“life”) symbols to the king.
In the fifth year of his reign, Amenhotep IV shocked his subjects by changing his name to Akhenaten (“The One Who is Effective for the Aten”). He also moved the capital from Thebes to a new city on virgin soil, untainted by other gods. Called Akhetaten (“Horizon of the Sun Disk”), we now know this city as Amarna.
The Cultural Impact of One God
To implement this new religion, agents of the king traveled throughout Egypt, destroying the names and images of other deities. Even the plural word “gods” was obliterated.  Officially, the Aten could now be worshipped only through representations of the royal family, who were portrayed in a rounded exaggerated style quite different from traditional Egyptian art.
This unusual practice would not remain in public favor long, once Tutankhamun came to power.
Continue to Tutankhamun's Restoration. >>
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