Changes

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. Beginning with the reign of Amenhotep III (r. 1390-1352), the Sun was promoted as a universal god under the name "Aten." The powers of this 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>Breasted, James, ''A History of Egypt''</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. Beginning with the reign of Amenhotep III (r. 1390-1352), the Sun was promoted as a universal god under the name "Aten." The powers of this 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>Breasted, James, ''A History of Egypt''</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 the was uncontaminated by any association with the old gods.  

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.

==Nefertiti and Tut==

==Nefertiti and Tut==