Lecture 7: Amarna period.

Question 1

Name the first king of the Amarna period, both names.

Answer 1

Amenhotep IV, now Akhenaten.

Question 2

What was the new religion of the Amarna period?

Answer 2

The monotheistic belief of Aten or the sun.

Question 3

What happened to other Egyptian deities?

Answer 3

They were persecuted and ignored.

Question 4

What was the features of the Amarna period?

Answer 4

New art.
New capital city, Akhetaten.
Erasure after death.

Question 5

Where did Akhenaten origin?

Answer 5

Either Memphis or Thebes.

Question 6

Who was his brother, why did he not take the throne?

Answer 6

His elder brother Thutmose did not take the throne. Maybe he was physically deformed?

Question 7

When did Akhenaten change his name?

Answer 7

c. 5th year of reign.

Question 8

What does the name Akhenaten mean?

Answer 8

Spirit of the Aten.

Question 9

Who is Aten?

Answer 9

The physical solar disk, the sun.

Question 10

What kind of religion was worshiped in the Amarna period?

Answer 10

Monotheistic, non-anthropomorphic god.

Question 11

What changes to the human body can be seen in art of the Amarna period?

Answer 11

More feminine, high cheek bones, fat belly and thighs.

Question 12

What health issues may have influenced the art changes of the Amarna period?

Answer 12

Fröhlich Syndrome (tumour in pituitary gland + stops development) - ruled out as causes infertility.
Marfan Syndrome (similar symptoms)

Question 13

What new building technique was introduced during the Amarna period?

Answer 13

talatat blocks.

Question 14

What was the new capital city of the Amarna period called?

Answer 14

Akhetaten, meaning Horizon of the Aten.

Question 15

Describe the city of Akhetaten’s features.

Answer 15

Divinely inspired.
Temple to the Aten.
Large + small houses together.
Several palaces.
Workmen's village built near by.

Question 16

What was the Temple to the Aten like?

Answer 16

It had unroofed courtyards.
No divine images.
It was located at the centre of town - where sun at its highest.

Question 17

What domestic worship occurred during the Amarna period?

Answer 17

Some homes worshiped the royal family and the Aten. Some continued worshipping previous gods - in secret.

Question 18

What was work like at Akhetaten?

Answer 18

Tomb builders were kept in appalling conditions - spinal injuries, poor nutrition and stunted growth. Died young.

Question 19

What was language like in the Amarna period?

Answer 19

Late Egyptian, Vernacular language, introduced into monumental inscriptions.

Question 20

What were the main inscriptions of the Amarna period?

Answer 20

Boundary stelae texts and the hymn to Aten.

Question 21

What does the Hymn to Aten describe?

Answer 21

Aten is the sole force of order + prosperity.
Contrasts darkness with the day.
Only Akhenaten knows Aten.

Question 22

How many Amarna letters were found and who were they between?

Answer 22

382, between Pharaohs and other rulers or Egyptian vassals.

Question 23

What did the amarna letters talk about?

Answer 23

Mostly complaints or requests.

Question 24

Which non-Aten based temples remained active during the Amarna period?

Answer 24

Temple of Re at Heliopolis.

Temples to Amun at Karnak.

Question 25

What happened at the death of Akhenaten?

Answer 25

Its unknown, his body was never found.

Question 26

Who took over after Akhenaten’s death?

Answer 26

Neferneferuaten Ankhetkheperura or Nefertiti.

Question 27

Who was Tutankhamun?

Answer 27

He was a king ho reigned for 10 years from the age of 8.

Question 28

Name 1 famous stela from the late Amarna period?

Answer 28

The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen.

Question 29

What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen do?

Answer 29

It compares the situation of Egypt under Akhenaten with that under Tutankhamun

Question 30

What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen say about Akhenaten’s rule?

Answer 30

Temples were in decay. Gods ignored Egypt and army was unsuccessful.

Question 31

What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen say about Tutankhamun’s rule?

Answer 31

temples restored. Gods worshipped again. New religious images in precious materials. Ma’am restored.

Question 32

What did Ay and Horemheb do?

Answer 32

Return to pre-Amana tradition.

Destroyed Akhenaten’s monuments.

Question 33

What did Ay and Horemheb do to fill in destruction of Akhenaten’s monuments?

Answer 33

Talatat bricks.