When I look at pictures of the Amarna Royal Family I see the most beautiful artwork in the ancient Egyptian world. This Amarna art, as it is called, was influenced by a very enigmatic pharaoh, Akhenaten. Why roses? I like to call the royal family Aten's roses because of their unique and exquisite beauty. But, like every rose, they have their thorns. As far as history tells, not only did the royal family have their thorns, but may themselves have been the thorns in the sides of many of their subjects. Akehnaten ruled from 1356-1332 BC, during the 18th Dynasty. He was the second son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy. It is said that Tiy, a commoner married Amenhotep III when she was five. He was estimated around ten at the time. Akhenaten's older brother, Tutmose died under mysterious circumstances. Akhenaten was born with the name Amenhotep IV, after his father. The relationship with his father is a shady subject but it seems, at least to me. that he had a very good relationship with his mother, whom he appeared to be very fond of. He also had many sisters and step-siblings. His father was known for having a vast harem. When Akhenaten began his reign has been a cloudy topic. Some people believe he ruled a co-regency with his father. Few others believe his reign began soley after Amenhotep III's death. Akhenaten married a lovely young lady by the name of Nefertiti, another commoner, and made her his chief wife and queen. She was a devoted and loyal wife to him and seemed to love her husband endlessly. Likewise, Akhenaten saw her as the center of his universe. He even allowed her to be his equal and participate in kingly roles. Together, they parented six daughters, whom they loved with all their hearts: Meritaten {Beloved of the Aten} Meketaten {Protected by the Aten} Ankhesenpaaten {Living through the Aten} Neferneferuaten {Exquisite beauty of the Aten} Neferneferure {Exquisite beauty of Ra} Setepenre {Chosen of Ra} Who was Aten? Despite the stereotype, Akhenaten did not create the Aten {Sun Disk}. It was first created by Tutmosis IV and raised by Amenhotep III but was never meant to be a major deity. It once was portrayed with a falcon's wings and head with the sun disk as it's body. We can obviously see that Akhenaten, for some bizaare reason, took the being too seriously, and named it, in his own mind, to be the one and only true god. Akhenaten spent the first few years of his riegn in Thebes. This did not exactly satisfy the young pharaoh. He soon made his Aten belief public with the support of his wife and 2-3 oldest daughters. He even redesigned the Aten to stray away from his father's belief. Aten lost the wings and head and gained instead a uraeus. Instead of the wings, the rays extended as arms that ended in hands for which to bless the royal family. In declaring Aten to be the only god, Akhenaten felt he needed a city for which to dedicate to this new god. On his travels, he saw a strange formation in the mountain cliffs resembling the Akhet, or horizon in heirglyphics. He chose this place to build his carefully planned city: Akhetaten {Horizon of the Aten}. As for Nefertiti's thoughts, she seemed to have supported him all the way. There is no question about her becoming a very powerful woman. As said before, to Akhenaten, Aten was the only god and sole creator. His most famous creation for Aten was the Hymn to the Aten. I have read this piece in full and it is most definately the most beautiful piece of ancient texts I have ever read. In worshipping Aten, Akhenaten banished the old gods and closed the temples. However, the method of worship was somewhat odd to the Egyptians. It seems Aten would only listen to the prayers and pleas of the royal family alone. More specifically Akhenaten and/or Nefertiti. If a commoner wished to pray for something, they had to do so via the pharaoh and/or his queen. Akhenaten, for the most part as we know it, was a peaceful pharaoh and partook in no battles, though this is not a definate conclusion. His queen was portrayed as the more aggressive type. Even within city limits there was little or no opposition. But, then again, Akhenaten had a heavy military to protect himself, his family and his harem. Akhenaten, despite the public hatred over him, was very intelligent and devoted to bettering his city. His main focus was not on violence, if he could avoid it. He prefered, as some texts say, diplomacy and left most of his undevided attention to his queen, daughters and god. It is often said in history that sons were more than daughters. This may have been so, but Akhenaten and Nefertiti made no obvious regrets for their female-predominant brood. Fathering six daughters seem to please him all the same. They were his children, his creation and his most valuable treasure with which he and his queen loved and cherished. Later in his reign, Akhenaten experienced, what I would assume to be a breakdown or mid-life crisis. Throughout the reign, the common-folk were not afraid to hide two deities from Akhenaten: Bes and Taweret, birh deities. Akhenaten saw this as no threat to Aten. However, during this mid-life crisis of sorts Akhenaten wanted every trace of every old god to be destroyed, especially that of Amun. Names and images were to be hacked and destroyed. The Egytpians were furious with such a dishonorable act. They offically, or at least amongst themselves, named Akhenaten a heretic. Later in the reign, several people vanished. They were presumed dead with a plague, but no one knows for sure. Among these missing people are Meketaten, Neferneferuaten, Neferneferure, Setepenre, Nefertiti, and Akhenaten's minor wife, Kiya. Ironically, at the moment Nefertiti disappears, Akhenaten's co-regent, Smekhare appears. Many theories arise about Smenkhare. Perhaps he was the son of Akhenaten by Kiya, or his younger brother. What do I think? I believe Smenkhare is none other than the lovely Nefertiti disguised as a man. I say this because I dont believe Akhenaten to be a homosexual. He obviously showed great affection to both idetntities, and the identities shared the same titles. Personally, I can see some resemblance between the two. But, that's just me. Everyone's entitles to their own opinion. It was made quite clear that Akhenaten intended his family and noble men to remain in Akhetaten, even after their deaths. After first arriving in Akhetaten, Akhenaten had his tomb started under the cliffs. It is believed he chose this place, believing he would become one with the Aten and rise and set with it. Sadly though, Akhenate's body has never been officially found or identified. It was believed to be destroyed. Akhenaten did have at least one son. His name was Tutankhaten. Sound at all familiar? His mother has been a debateable topic for years. Some believe it was Kiya, for we know Nefertiti bore no sons. Kiya, however, was not exactly a prime choice to the pharaoh. She was a mere political arrangement, so even though her importance was great, it never matched that of his true love and queen. Akhenaten died mysteriously, perhaps in his late thirties. Causes of death are mere theories. Some believe it was an assasination. I don't buy that one, but that's just my opinion. Others believe, in which I am one of them, a medical reason was to blame. Did you notice Akhenaten's apperance? Odd, isn't he? Not like any other pharaoh. It is believed that his appearance was one reason for his conversion to Atenism. Akhenaten was a very tall man with a feminine figure, complete with wide hips and a plump chest. His face was long as were his fingers and toes. One theory for his odd appearance is Froelich's Syndrome. However, this has been ruled out, as this leaves its victims mentally retarded and impotent. Akhenaten was obviously very intelligent, artistic and fertile. Another theory was that he was a woman or a hermaphrodite. These were also dismissed. The most common and most readily accepted theory is that Akhenaten had Marfan Syndrome. What is Marfan Syndrome? It is a genetic disorder that effects 2 out of 10,000 people. It is estimated that 2,000 people suffer in the United States alone. Because of the incest in past generations before Akhenaten, it is believed the gene mutated or was simply passed along the paternal family line. Akhenaten displayed many of the physical deformities of Marfan syndrome. His head was very long and he had slit-like eyes, which some say were coned. He is believed to have been nearsighted, needing the sun's light to maximize his ability to see. He also possessed a short ribcage, boney shoulders and long limbs. It is also shown that he had arachnodactyly, or spidery fingers. It can only be assumed that he suffered from problems with his lungs and/or heart because of this disorder. It is said that those with Marfan syndrome, who do not undergo treatment may have a lifespan of, at most, 30-40 years. This may have been the cause of Akhenaten's untimely death. Akhenaten left his kingdom to his son and heir, Tutankhaten, who was only six at the time. He was married to his half-sister and close companion, Ankhsesnpaaten, who was older than he was. However, a mere child could not rule a country. Instead, the real power was in the hands of Akhenaten's favorite noble man, Nefertiti's father and Tutankhaten's mentor, Ay. He was, however, supposed to return full power and authority to the boy when he became old enough. Many opinions fly about Ay. It is thought that Ay took advantage of his power and manipulated the boy king and his queen. He even had their names changed. Tutankhaten became Tutankhamen. Familiar yet? Ankhesenpaaten became Ankhesenamun. He saw to it, under the credit of the king, that the old ways were reintroduced and the temples reopened. Soon, Akhetaten was abandoned and Thebes became the capitol once again. Tutankhamen died at the age of 18. The cause remains a mystery to this very day. Almost everyone agrees that it was murder. The most common explanation is that he was bashed in the head. It is more probable that he recieved this head wound in battle, but did not die from it as the crack on the skull had obviously had quite a bit of time to heal, or says some of the cranial experts. If this did cause his death, it was the infection and not the initial attack. Other possibilities, which are often overlooked is strangling or poisoning, which is less likely to be as visible as the crack in the skull. When Tutankhamen died, he was buried with his two stillborn daughters. He had no other children. Ay then became pharaoh, marrying Ankhesenamun, his granddaughter. She obviously disliked the idea from the beginning and searched for a foriegn prince instead. The prince never reached Egypt and Ankhesenamun vanished after Ay became pharaoh. Perhaps she was another victim of foul play. Thorns **When Akhenaten and his entourage moved to Akhetaten, the palance was incomplete. the royal family spent their first days in camps and tents, awaiting the palace's completion. **Akhenaten was not the only pharaoh known to have breasts. Hatshepsut doesn't count in this one. Other pharaohs, who were unquestionably male, known to have breasts were Tutmoses IV and Amenhotep III. However, these breasts were a sign of age and indulgance. Bulging bellies also seemed prominant in Amenhotep III as in Akhenaten. **Akhenaten encouraged artists and sculptors to portray him as he really was. He was obviously not ashamed in any way of his appearance. **It is often said that Ay is Nefertiti's father. The other theory is that he was also Tiy's brother. **Those who suffer from Marfan syndrome are often susceptable to cold and can't see very well. Sometimes the eye is coned and patients are nearsighted. Perhaps another reason Akhenaten converted to Atenism was because the sun provided him maximum visibility and warmth. **Akhenaten was said to be the first monotheist and probably inspired later monotheistic religions. **The Amarna family was erased from history by the Egyptians, but were rediscovered about 100 years ago. *The curse of Tutankhamen----sorry, it's fake. It was made up by the media. Names of Akhenaten Amenhotep IV Akhenaten {Beneficial of the Aten} Neferkhpure Waenre Rebel Pharaoh Heretic Aten's Rose King of Damnation/Damned King Traitor Pharaoh Unnamed One/Unmentionable One Son of the Sun The Sun King Images of Aten's Roses I want to say thank you to those who donated and okayed the displaying of these images. For more specific naming, go to Credit Where Credit is Due. Behold Akhenaten Behold Nefertiti Behold Royal Offspring Hymn to the Aten Home
Why roses? I like to call the royal family Aten's roses because of their unique and exquisite beauty. But, like every rose, they have their thorns. As far as history tells, not only did the royal family have their thorns, but may themselves have been the thorns in the sides of many of their subjects.
Akehnaten ruled from 1356-1332 BC, during the 18th Dynasty. He was the second son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy. It is said that Tiy, a commoner married Amenhotep III when she was five. He was estimated around ten at the time. Akhenaten's older brother, Tutmose died under mysterious circumstances.
Akhenaten was born with the name Amenhotep IV, after his father. The relationship with his father is a shady subject but it seems, at least to me. that he had a very good relationship with his mother, whom he appeared to be very fond of. He also had many sisters and step-siblings. His father was known for having a vast harem.
When Akhenaten began his reign has been a cloudy topic. Some people believe he ruled a co-regency with his father. Few others believe his reign began soley after Amenhotep III's death.
Akhenaten married a lovely young lady by the name of Nefertiti, another commoner, and made her his chief wife and queen. She was a devoted and loyal wife to him and seemed to love her husband endlessly. Likewise, Akhenaten saw her as the center of his universe. He even allowed her to be his equal and participate in kingly roles. Together, they parented six daughters, whom they loved with all their hearts:
Who was Aten? Despite the stereotype, Akhenaten did not create the Aten {Sun Disk}. It was first created by Tutmosis IV and raised by Amenhotep III but was never meant to be a major deity. It once was portrayed with a falcon's wings and head with the sun disk as it's body. We can obviously see that Akhenaten, for some bizaare reason, took the being too seriously, and named it, in his own mind, to be the one and only true god.
Akhenaten spent the first few years of his riegn in Thebes. This did not exactly satisfy the young pharaoh. He soon made his Aten belief public with the support of his wife and 2-3 oldest daughters. He even redesigned the Aten to stray away from his father's belief. Aten lost the wings and head and gained instead a uraeus. Instead of the wings, the rays extended as arms that ended in hands for which to bless the royal family.
In declaring Aten to be the only god, Akhenaten felt he needed a city for which to dedicate to this new god. On his travels, he saw a strange formation in the mountain cliffs resembling the Akhet, or horizon in heirglyphics. He chose this place to build his carefully planned city: Akhetaten {Horizon of the Aten}. As for Nefertiti's thoughts, she seemed to have supported him all the way. There is no question about her becoming a very powerful woman.
As said before, to Akhenaten, Aten was the only god and sole creator. His most famous creation for Aten was the Hymn to the Aten. I have read this piece in full and it is most definately the most beautiful piece of ancient texts I have ever read. In worshipping Aten, Akhenaten banished the old gods and closed the temples. However, the method of worship was somewhat odd to the Egyptians. It seems Aten would only listen to the prayers and pleas of the royal family alone. More specifically Akhenaten and/or Nefertiti. If a commoner wished to pray for something, they had to do so via the pharaoh and/or his queen.
Akhenaten, for the most part as we know it, was a peaceful pharaoh and partook in no battles, though this is not a definate conclusion. His queen was portrayed as the more aggressive type. Even within city limits there was little or no opposition. But, then again, Akhenaten had a heavy military to protect himself, his family and his harem. Akhenaten, despite the public hatred over him, was very intelligent and devoted to bettering his city. His main focus was not on violence, if he could avoid it. He prefered, as some texts say, diplomacy and left most of his undevided attention to his queen, daughters and god.
It is often said in history that sons were more than daughters. This may have been so, but Akhenaten and Nefertiti made no obvious regrets for their female-predominant brood. Fathering six daughters seem to please him all the same. They were his children, his creation and his most valuable treasure with which he and his queen loved and cherished.
Later in his reign, Akhenaten experienced, what I would assume to be a breakdown or mid-life crisis. Throughout the reign, the common-folk were not afraid to hide two deities from Akhenaten: Bes and Taweret, birh deities. Akhenaten saw this as no threat to Aten. However, during this mid-life crisis of sorts Akhenaten wanted every trace of every old god to be destroyed, especially that of Amun. Names and images were to be hacked and destroyed. The Egytpians were furious with such a dishonorable act. They offically, or at least amongst themselves, named Akhenaten a heretic.
Later in the reign, several people vanished. They were presumed dead with a plague, but no one knows for sure. Among these missing people are Meketaten, Neferneferuaten, Neferneferure, Setepenre, Nefertiti, and Akhenaten's minor wife, Kiya. Ironically, at the moment Nefertiti disappears, Akhenaten's co-regent, Smekhare appears. Many theories arise about Smenkhare. Perhaps he was the son of Akhenaten by Kiya, or his younger brother. What do I think? I believe Smenkhare is none other than the lovely Nefertiti disguised as a man. I say this because I dont believe Akhenaten to be a homosexual. He obviously showed great affection to both idetntities, and the identities shared the same titles. Personally, I can see some resemblance between the two. But, that's just me. Everyone's entitles to their own opinion.
It was made quite clear that Akhenaten intended his family and noble men to remain in Akhetaten, even after their deaths. After first arriving in Akhetaten, Akhenaten had his tomb started under the cliffs. It is believed he chose this place, believing he would become one with the Aten and rise and set with it. Sadly though, Akhenate's body has never been officially found or identified. It was believed to be destroyed.
Akhenaten did have at least one son. His name was Tutankhaten. Sound at all familiar? His mother has been a debateable topic for years. Some believe it was Kiya, for we know Nefertiti bore no sons. Kiya, however, was not exactly a prime choice to the pharaoh. She was a mere political arrangement, so even though her importance was great, it never matched that of his true love and queen.
Akhenaten died mysteriously, perhaps in his late thirties. Causes of death are mere theories. Some believe it was an assasination. I don't buy that one, but that's just my opinion. Others believe, in which I am one of them, a medical reason was to blame.
Did you notice Akhenaten's apperance? Odd, isn't he? Not like any other pharaoh. It is believed that his appearance was one reason for his conversion to Atenism. Akhenaten was a very tall man with a feminine figure, complete with wide hips and a plump chest. His face was long as were his fingers and toes. One theory for his odd appearance is Froelich's Syndrome. However, this has been ruled out, as this leaves its victims mentally retarded and impotent. Akhenaten was obviously very intelligent, artistic and fertile. Another theory was that he was a woman or a hermaphrodite. These were also dismissed. The most common and most readily accepted theory is that Akhenaten had Marfan Syndrome.
What is Marfan Syndrome? It is a genetic disorder that effects 2 out of 10,000 people. It is estimated that 2,000 people suffer in the United States alone. Because of the incest in past generations before Akhenaten, it is believed the gene mutated or was simply passed along the paternal family line.
Akhenaten displayed many of the physical deformities of Marfan syndrome. His head was very long and he had slit-like eyes, which some say were coned. He is believed to have been nearsighted, needing the sun's light to maximize his ability to see. He also possessed a short ribcage, boney shoulders and long limbs. It is also shown that he had arachnodactyly, or spidery fingers. It can only be assumed that he suffered from problems with his lungs and/or heart because of this disorder. It is said that those with Marfan syndrome, who do not undergo treatment may have a lifespan of, at most, 30-40 years. This may have been the cause of Akhenaten's untimely death.
Akhenaten left his kingdom to his son and heir, Tutankhaten, who was only six at the time. He was married to his half-sister and close companion, Ankhsesnpaaten, who was older than he was. However, a mere child could not rule a country. Instead, the real power was in the hands of Akhenaten's favorite noble man, Nefertiti's father and Tutankhaten's mentor, Ay. He was, however, supposed to return full power and authority to the boy when he became old enough.
Many opinions fly about Ay. It is thought that Ay took advantage of his power and manipulated the boy king and his queen. He even had their names changed. Tutankhaten became Tutankhamen. Familiar yet? Ankhesenpaaten became Ankhesenamun. He saw to it, under the credit of the king, that the old ways were reintroduced and the temples reopened. Soon, Akhetaten was abandoned and Thebes became the capitol once again.
Tutankhamen died at the age of 18. The cause remains a mystery to this very day. Almost everyone agrees that it was murder. The most common explanation is that he was bashed in the head. It is more probable that he recieved this head wound in battle, but did not die from it as the crack on the skull had obviously had quite a bit of time to heal, or says some of the cranial experts. If this did cause his death, it was the infection and not the initial attack. Other possibilities, which are often overlooked is strangling or poisoning, which is less likely to be as visible as the crack in the skull.
When Tutankhamen died, he was buried with his two stillborn daughters. He had no other children. Ay then became pharaoh, marrying Ankhesenamun, his granddaughter. She obviously disliked the idea from the beginning and searched for a foriegn prince instead. The prince never reached Egypt and Ankhesenamun vanished after Ay became pharaoh. Perhaps she was another victim of foul play.
