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'''Akhenaten''', or '''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 Akhetaton (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 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]].

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>

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, ranging from her usurping power to Akhenaten's banishing her.

Akhenaton died young and was succeeded by the mysterious Semenkhhare, who ruled for less than a year. There is much speculation concerning Semenkhhare, including one theory that "he" was Nefertiti posing as a man. Semenkhhare was succeeded by [[Tutankhamun]], Akhenaton's son and still a boy at this time. Tutankhamun reversed many of his father's policies. Egypt reverted to [[polytheism]] and the priests of Amun regained their power.

Akhenaten died young and was succeeded by the mysterious Semenkhhare, who ruled for less than a year. There is much speculation concerning Semenkhhare, including one theory that "he" was Nefertiti posing as a man. Semenkhhare was succeeded by [[Tutankhamun]], Akhenaten's son and still a boy at this time. Tutankhamun reversed many of his father's policies. Egypt reverted to [[polytheism]] and the priests of Amun regained their power.

== Akhenaten and Moses ==

== Akhenaten and Moses ==

The similarities between Akhenaten's monotheism and the monotheism described in the [[Pentateuch]] has led some historians to speculate about correlations between Akhenaten and Moses. Akhenaten's religion is the earliest historical example of a monotheistic religion.

The similarities between Akhenaten's monotheism and the monotheism described in the [[Pentateuch]] has led some historians to speculate about correlations between Akhenaten and Moses. Akhenaten's religion is the earliest historical example of a monotheistic religion.

[[Sigmund Freud]] proposed that Moses was Ikhnaton's priest, and that the [[Exodus]] happened soon after the pharaoh's death<ref>[[Moses And Monotheism]], by Freud; see chapter "If Moses was an egyptian" at [http://www.archive.org/stream/mosesandmonothei032233mbp/mosesandmonothei032233mbp_djvu.txt www.archive.org]</ref>.

[[Sigmund Freud]] proposed that Moses was Akhenaten's priest, and that the [[Exodus]] happened soon after the pharaoh's death<ref>[[Moses And Monotheism]], by Freud; see chapter "If Moses was an egyptian" at [http://www.archive.org/stream/mosesandmonothei032233mbp/mosesandmonothei032233mbp_djvu.txt www.archive.org]</ref>.

==References==

==References==