Changes

==Monotheistic revolution==

==Monotheistic revolution==

The earliest Egyptian gods were nature gods. Such gods were typically associated with a particular city or other locality. With the rise of the pharaonic state, these gods were organized into a pantheon headed by a chief god, analogous to the structure of the royal court. The wars of Thutmose III (r. 1479-1425 B.C.) had exposed Egyptians, particularly those who had served in the army, to a variety of religious experiences. Each nation, it was learned, had its own gods. But the Sun was everywhere. Thutmosis IV (r. 1400-1390) proclaimed the Aten the protector of the army. Amenhotep III (r. 1390-1352), Akhenaten's father, was an even more diligent Aten worshiper. The powers of this universal god transcended national boundaries, just as pharaoh's authority now stretched across nations. "In the ancient East, monotheism was but imperialism in religion," wrote Egyptologist James Breasted.<ref name=breasted>Breasted, James, "[http://history-world.org/ikhnaton.htm Ikhnaton]"</ref>

The earliest Egyptian gods were nature gods. Such gods were typically associated with a particular city or other locality. With the rise of the pharaonic state, these gods were organized into a pantheon headed by a chief god, analogous to the structure of the royal court. The wars of Thutmose III (r. 1479-1425 B.C.) had exposed Egyptians, particularly those who had served in the army, to a variety of religious experiences. Each nation, it was learned, had its own gods. But the Sun was everywhere. Faced with the overmighty Amun cult, a succession of pharaohs promoted Atenism. Thutmosis IV (r. 1400-1390) proclaimed the Aten the protector of the army. Amenhotep III (r. 1390-1352), Akhenaten's father, was an even more diligent Aten worshiper. The powers of this universal god transcended national boundaries, just as pharaoh's authority now stretched across nations. "In the ancient East, monotheism was but imperialism in religion," wrote Egyptologist James Breasted.<ref name=breasted>Breasted, James, "[http://history-world.org/ikhnaton.htm Ikhnaton]"</ref>

Akhenaten began his revolution by enclosing the name of Aten in a cartouche identical to his own. Aten would be a pharaoh among the gods. The word "gods" was hacked out of monuments and inscriptions. The capital was moved from Thebes to Amarna, a previously uninhabited location that was uncontaminated by association with any of the old gods.<ref name="breasted" />

Akhenaten began his revolution by enclosing the name of Aten in a cartouche identical to his own. Aten would be a pharaoh among the gods. The word "gods" was hacked out of monuments and inscriptions. The capital was moved from Thebes to Amarna, a previously uninhabited location that was uncontaminated by association with any of the old gods.<ref name="breasted" />