Atenism

Atenism was a religious system centered on the sun disk Aten, promoted by Pharaoh Akhenaten in 14th-century BCE Egypt. It elevated Aten above Egypt’s other gods and concentrated worship around the royal family.

Aten: Aten was the sun disk worshipped as the supreme deity in Akhenaten’s religious system. Aten was the focus of Atenist worship and the source of its divine authority.
Amenhotep III: Amenhotep III was an Egyptian pharaoh whose reign preceded Akhenaten’s and featured extensive solar imagery. His court’s solar traditions formed part of the religious setting from which Atenism emerged.
Amarna Period: The Amarna Period was the era of Akhenaten’s reign and the religious and artistic changes associated with his court. Atenism defined the period’s religious reforms and distinctive royal culture.
Amun: Amun was a major Egyptian god whose cult became especially powerful at Thebes. Akhenaten’s attacks on Amun’s name and institutions directly challenged this rival cult.
Akhenaten: Akhenaten was an Egyptian pharaoh who promoted Aten worship and restricted traditional cults. His royal policies established Atenism as Egypt’s state religion.
Theban Triad: The Theban Triad consisted of the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, worshipped together at Thebes. The established cult of Amun represented the religious order challenged by Atenism.
Royal Tomb of Amarna: The Royal Tomb of Amarna is the burial place begun for Akhenaten in the cliffs near his capital. Its inscriptions and burial context preserve evidence of Atenist royal practice.
Amun-Ra: Amun-Ra was a composite Egyptian deity joining Amun with the solar god Ra. His established synthesis of divine powers contrasts with Atenism’s elevation of one solar form.
Great Hymn to the Aten: The Great Hymn to the Aten is an Egyptian devotional poem praising Aten as creator and sustainer of life. Its language gives a detailed account of Atenist ideas about creation and divine care.
Akhetaten: Akhetaten was the capital city Akhenaten founded for Aten, now known as Amarna. Its creation gave Atenism a new political and ceremonial center.

Linked from 17 pages