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[[File:Akhenaten.jpg|right|thumb|Pharaoh Akhenaten]]

[[File:Akhenaten.jpg|right|thumb|Pharaoh Akhenaten]]

'''Akhenaten''' (known variously as '''Akhenaton''' or '''Ikhnaton'''; previously as '''Amenhotep IV''') was [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] from 1353 - 1336 [[B.C.]] as part of the 18th dynasty. He rejected the traditional gods of Egypt in favor of the sun, which he called [[Aton]]. He moved the capital from [[Thebes]] to Akhenaten (modern [[Amarna]]) to escape the influence of the priests of [[Amun]].

'''Akhenaten''' (known variously as '''Akhenaton''' or '''Ikhnaton'''; previously as '''Amenhotep IV''') was [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] from 1352 - 1336 [[B.C.]] as part of the 18th dynasty. He rejected the traditional gods of Egypt in favor of the sun, which he called [[Aton]]. He moved the capital from [[Thebes]] to Akhenaten (modern [[Amarna]]) to escape the influence of the priests of [[Amun]].

Statues of him show an artistic form new in Egypt, including various deformities which have led some scholars to conclude he had [[Marfan's syndrome]] or [[Frolich’s syndrome]].  However, various courtiers were also depicted similarly.<ref name="AIG">John Ashton & David Down. ''[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/utp/akhenaten-and-nefertiti-the-beautiful Unwrapping the Pharaohs, chapter 21]'''</ref>

Statues of him show an artistic form new in Egypt, including various deformities which have led some scholars to conclude he had [[Marfan's syndrome]] or [[Frolich’s syndrome]].  However, various courtiers were also depicted similarly.<ref name="AIG">John Ashton & David Down. ''[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/utp/akhenaten-and-nefertiti-the-beautiful Unwrapping the Pharaohs, chapter 21]'''</ref> A thorough examination of the royal mummies did not uncover evidence of unusual diseases or deformities, so the depictions are most likely an artistic style.<ref name=Hawass>Zahi Hawass, PhD, et al., "[http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185393 Ancestry and Pathology in King Tutankhamun's Family]", ''JAMA''</ref>

The mysterious disappearance of his wife [[Nefertiti]] from the historical record has led scholars to many speculations, ranging from her usurping power to Akhenaten's banishing her.

The mysterious disappearance of his wife [[Nefertiti]] from the historical record has led scholars to many speculations. The mummy of the "Younger Lady," mother of [[Tutankhamun]] and presumed to be Nefertiti, shows signs of a violent death.<ref name="Hawass" />

Akhenaten died young and was succeeded by a pair of pharaohs who used the reign names Nerferneferuatan and Semenkhkare. There has been much speculation concerning the identity these two pharaohs, with some writers arguing that Nerferneferuatan was Nefertiti posing as a man. Within a year, both names disappear from the records and [[Tutankhamun]], still a boy at this time, ascended to the throne. Real power in this period was probably held by Ay, a vizier appointed by Akhenaten. Tut reversed many of Akenaten's policies. Egypt reverted to [[polytheism]] and the priests of Amun regained power.

Akhenaten died young and was succeeded by a pair of pharaohs who used the reign names Nerferneferuatan and Smenkhkare. There has been much speculation concerning the identity these two pharaohs. Nerferneferuatan may have been Nefertiti posing as a man, while Smenkhkare was most likely one of Akhenaten's brothers. Within a year, both names disappear from the records and Tutankhamun, still a boy at this time, ascended to the throne. Real power in this period was probably held by Ay, a vizier appointed by Akhenaten. Tut reversed many of Akenaten's policies. Egypt reverted to [[polytheism]] and the priests of Amun regained power.

Akhenaten, Semenkhkare, and Tut are omitted from the Abydos king list. This suggests that they were viewed as illegitimate rulers. Genetic testing in 2010 established that mummy KV55 is both a son of Amenhotep III and Tut's father. An inscription in Tut's tomb identifies him as the son of a pharaoh, so the mummy could be either Akhenaten<ref>[https://oblogmasense.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/lost-pharhoh-akhenaton-found-after-further-dna-testing-of-tutankhamun/ Lost Pharaoh Akhenaten Found After Further DNA Testing Of Tutankhamun]</ref> or Semenkhkare.<ref>[http://www.kv64.info/2010/03/dna-shows-that-kv55-mummy-probably-not.html DNA Shows that KV55 Mummy Probably Not Akhenaten]</ref>

Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, and Tut are omitted from the Abydos king list. This suggests that they were viewed as illegitimate rulers. Genetic testing in 2010 established that mummy KV55 is both a son of Amenhotep III and Tut's father. An inscription in Tut's tomb identifies him as the son of a pharaoh, so the mummy could be either Akhenaten<ref>[https://oblogmasense.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/lost-pharhoh-akhenaton-found-after-further-dna-testing-of-tutankhamun/ Lost Pharaoh Akhenaten Found After Further DNA Testing Of Tutankhamun]</ref> or Semenkhkare.<ref>[http://www.kv64.info/2010/03/dna-shows-that-kv55-mummy-probably-not.html DNA Shows that KV55 Mummy Probably Not Akhenaten]</ref>

== Akhenaten and Moses ==

== Akhenaten and Moses ==