Internal Developments: Failure of the Amarna Revolution Flashcards
Smenkhkare’s Reign
State religious policy returned to the promotion of the Amun cult.
Tutankhamun’s Reign
Interim period when both cults existed, but Amun and other gods were being restored.
Evidence:
- Iconography of golden throne on his tomb
Radical Change
Reasons for Failure
The Egyptian people are naturally conservative so the shift from polytheism to monotheism would hve been unwelcome.
Restoration Stela
Reasons for Failure: Radical Change
“…when his majesty appeared as king, the temples of the gods and goddesses…were about to be forgotten, and their holy place in a condition of collapse.”
Nicole Douek in ‘Empires: Egypt’s Golden Empire’ (2001)
Reasons for Failure: Radical Change
Douek studied Ancient History and Egyptology at University College, London.
“Complete departure from status quo. Created a cataclysmic change in Egyptian history and religion.”
Abstract Ideas
Reasons for Failure
The anthropomorphic gods, such as Re-Horakhty was replaced by Aten, who was a circle (jk, a “rayed sun-disc”).
There were no statues or cult figures for the people to worship and no personal relationship as all worship was done through Akhenaten.
Amarna Boundary Stela
Reasons for Failure: Abstract Ideas
Depiction of Akhenaten absorbing the rays of Aten and providing him with a renewal of body.
Shortness of the Reign
Reasons for Failure
New ideas did not have time to take hold.
Alan Gardiner in ‘Egypt of the Pharaohs’ (1961)
Reasons for Failure: Shortness of the Reign
“Akhenaten’s dogma never penetrated deeply into the masses” (Egypt of the Pharaohs)
Breakdown of Society
Reasons for Failure
Akhenaten’s focus of his ideology led him to neglect other important areas of administration, including the economy and foreign policy.
Amarna Letters
Reasons for Failure: Breakdown of Society
A plague that hit 30-40% of the population was mentioned in four letters.
Hittite Archives: references of the plagues being brugh to the Hittites by Egyptians.
Correspondence from vassal princes and allies asking for troops to assist them, but no evidence of replies.
Alan Gardiner in ‘Egypt of the Pharaohs’ (1961)
Reasons for Failure: Breakdown of Society
“Akhenaten isn’t fully to blame as foreign policy began to wane during Amenhotep III’s reign” (Egypt of the Pharaohs)
Donald Redford in “Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times” (1992)
Reasons for Failure: Breakdown of Society
Redford claims the Akhenaten refused to organise an expeditionary force and his lack of foresight lost him the initiative.
Lack of Widespread Support
Reasons for Failure
The royal family and some courtiers appear to have been the only supporters, as Atenism did not take root with the common people.
Primary Source: Statues of other gods were found in the workers’ villages of Akhetaten.
Donald Redford in “Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times” (1992)
Reasons for Failure: Lack of Widespread Support
“New god was cold. There was no text describing a relationship of helping the Egyptian people.” (Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times)
No Designated Heir
Reasons for Failure
Akhenaten served as a sole intermediary between Aten and the people, meaning that after his death, no one was committed to its continuation.
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OF HAVING NO HEIRS IN POST-AMARNA REFORMS
Lack of Afterlife Beliefs
Reasons for Failure
The traditional Osirian cult offered hope for an afterlife in his realm, but Atenism replaced this with a continued but altered existence in the presence. Additionally, prayers for survival after death were to be addressed to Akhenaten.
Hostility of Amun Priesthood
Reasons for Failure
The dispossessed Amun Priesthood would likely have had a role in the Amarna heresy, based on the relative speed with which the traditional religion returned.
