Discover the Story of Heretical Akhenaten
Nile Valley, Egypt
Thebes was the centre of the Amun cult for centuries, but in the 14th century BCE Akhenaten abandoned it and created a new capital at Amarna, 405 km north. No comparison in Western history can compare with this schism, save perhaps the split between the Eastern and Western churches in Byzantine times.
Background
For 14 short but turbulent years Amarna was the capital of Egypt under Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti. Akhenaten was the son of Ahmenhotep III and only adopted this name when he rejected the traditional cult of Amun at Karnak and moved his court north to Amarna. His reign was short and chaotic and no-one can be sure how he died. We do know that after his death his successor was Smenkhkare, his son-in-law, who, after a very short time was himself succeeded by Akhenaten half-brother, the famous Tutankhamun who returned the capital to Thebes and restored the old order.
Relaxing
As everywhere in Egypt at Amarna you’ll no doubt be approached by someone selling cold drinks. Even though there is little at the site in the form of places to sit and relax, grab a drink and find a shady spot as wandering the site can be hot work.