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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>

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. The mummy of the "Younger Lady," mother of [[Tutankhamun]] is apparently another wife (and sister) of Akhenaten. She is unmentioned in the historical record. The mummy shows signs of a violent death.<ref name="Hawass" />

A bust of Akhenaten beautiful primary wife, [[Nefertiti]] has made her one of the best-known Egyptian queens. The mummy of the "Younger Lady," mother of [[Tutankhamun]] is apparently a secondary wife (and sister) of Akhenaten. She is unmentioned in the historical record. The mummy 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 Smenkhkare. There has been much speculation concerning the identity these two pharaohs. Nerferneferuatan was most likely a name Nefertiti used as co-regent. Smenkhkare is portrayed as male. So "he" was either a brother of Akhenaten or Nefertiti again, posing as a man.<ref name=Reeves>Reeves, Nicholas, ''Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet''</ref>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 ruler, or pair of rulers, who used the reign names Nerferneferuatan and Smenkhkare. There has been much speculation concerning their identity. Nerferneferuatan may have been a name Nefertiti used as a regent during Akhenaten's final years. Smenkhkare is unambiguously portrayed as male. So "he" was either a brother of Akhenaten or Nefertiti again, this time posing as male pharaoh.<ref name=Reeves>Reeves, Nicholas, ''Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet''</ref>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, Smenkhkare, and Tut are omitted from the Abydos king list. This suggests that they were viewed as illegitimate rulers. An inscription from the reign of Ramses II denounces Akhenaten as, "that criminal from Akhetaten."<ref name="Reeves" /> 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. An inscription from the reign of Ramses II denounces Akhenaten as, "that criminal from Akhetaten."<ref name="Reeves" /> 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>