30/04/2018
Amenhotep IV (1372-1354). The ongoing military politics of Egypt in the years before him have led to the gain of a lot of resources, money and slaves. The country has been flourishing regardless of the northeastern threat. But these riches were not allocated properly. Only the small group of the aristocrats was enjoying the spoils of war. But the poor were becoming poorer. The Theban priesthood of god Amon has always been strongly connected and supportive to the pharaohs. Gradually the priesthood of Amon became not only the most important economical factor, but also the most important political player in Egypt. Amenhotep IV was the first to realize that the priests in Thebes possessed a lot of power and influenced the politics. The formal control of the country has been in the hands of the pharaohs but the actual influence came from the priests. So Amenhotep IV decided to reduce the power of the priesthood and completely restore the power of the pharaohs. He made a vital religious reform in the sense of converting polytheism to monotheism. This has been something revolutionary for the ancient times. The pharaoh used the inequality of the separate religious groups namely – Amon’s priesthood in Thebes and the cults to the sun entity Ra-Horahte in Heliopolis and Memphis. He declared himself to be first priest of Ra-Horahte and ordered the construction of a large temple dedicated to that creature. He also forbid the cult to Amon all across the country and the names and images of Amon were erased from monuments, statues etc. This act marked the beginning of the second part of his reform. He stopped the worship of Ra-Horahte and started the cult to Aton which has also been a northern Egyptian entity of the light and sun. Amenhotep IV even changed his name to Akhenaten (Shining of Aton). He ordered the founding and construction of a new city as a new capitol of Egypt to replace the former one. Ahetaton is the name of that city, which means Horizon of Aton. The aristocracy which traditionally held key positions was connected to the cult of Amon so it has been quickly dealt with. It has been replaced by new people loyal to the pharaoh probably from the middle class of the Egyptian society. But the cultists of Amon were strong enough to withstand the reforms and the attempts of Ehnaton. His success was partial. And after his death it all fell apart. Eventually the polytheism has been restored and the priesthood of Amon regained its power.
Many historians consider that these reforms had more to them. Like the inclusion of new territories, tribes and people in the borders of Egypt and also the foreign policies of Egypt required one more eligible religion. After the death of Amenhotep IV the Egyptian positions in Syria faded. The Hittites capitalized on this weakness and destroyed the country of Mitanni.
