Lecture 7: Amarna period. Flashcards
Name the first king of the Amarna period, both names.
Amenhotep IV, now Akhenaten.
What was the new religion of the Amarna period?
The monotheistic belief of Aten or the sun.
What happened to other Egyptian deities?
They were persecuted and ignored.
What was the features of the Amarna period?
New art.
New capital city, Akhetaten.
Erasure after death.
Where did Akhenaten origin?
Either Memphis or Thebes.
Who was his brother, why did he not take the throne?
His elder brother Thutmose did not take the throne. Maybe he was physically deformed?
When did Akhenaten change his name?
c. 5th year of reign.
What does the name Akhenaten mean?
Spirit of the Aten.
Who is Aten?
The physical solar disk, the sun.
What kind of religion was worshiped in the Amarna period?
Monotheistic, non-anthropomorphic god.
What changes to the human body can be seen in art of the Amarna period?
More feminine, high cheek bones, fat belly and thighs.
What health issues may have influenced the art changes of the Amarna period?
Fröhlich Syndrome (tumour in pituitary gland + stops development) - ruled out as causes infertility. Marfan Syndrome (similar symptoms)
What new building technique was introduced during the Amarna period?
talatat blocks.
What was the new capital city of the Amarna period called?
Akhetaten, meaning Horizon of the Aten.
Describe the city of Akhetaten’s features.
Divinely inspired. Temple to the Aten. Large + small houses together. Several palaces. Workmen's village built near by.
What was the Temple to the Aten like?
It had unroofed courtyards.
No divine images.
It was located at the centre of town - where sun at its highest.
What domestic worship occurred during the Amarna period?
Some homes worshiped the royal family and the Aten. Some continued worshipping previous gods - in secret.
What was work like at Akhetaten?
Tomb builders were kept in appalling conditions - spinal injuries, poor nutrition and stunted growth. Died young.
What was language like in the Amarna period?
Late Egyptian, Vernacular language, introduced into monumental inscriptions.
What were the main inscriptions of the Amarna period?
Boundary stelae texts and the hymn to Aten.
What does the Hymn to Aten describe?
Aten is the sole force of order + prosperity.
Contrasts darkness with the day.
Only Akhenaten knows Aten.
How many Amarna letters were found and who were they between?
382, between Pharaohs and other rulers or Egyptian vassals.
What did the amarna letters talk about?
Mostly complaints or requests.
Which non-Aten based temples remained active during the Amarna period?
Temple of Re at Heliopolis.
Temples to Amun at Karnak.
What happened at the death of Akhenaten?
Its unknown, his body was never found.
Who took over after Akhenaten’s death?
Neferneferuaten Ankhetkheperura or Nefertiti.
Who was Tutankhamun?
He was a king ho reigned for 10 years from the age of 8.
Name 1 famous stela from the late Amarna period?
The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen.
What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen do?
It compares the situation of Egypt under Akhenaten with that under Tutankhamun
What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen say about Akhenaten’s rule?
Temples were in decay. Gods ignored Egypt and army was unsuccessful.
What does the The Reservation stela of Tutankhamen say about Tutankhamun’s rule?
temples restored. Gods worshipped again. New religious images in precious materials. Ma’am restored.
What did Ay and Horemheb do?
Return to pre-Amana tradition.
Destroyed Akhenaten’s monuments.
What did Ay and Horemheb do to fill in destruction of Akhenaten’s monuments?
Talatat bricks.
