Real Kings Don't Die: Akhenaten

Hailed as arguably the greatest pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, Akhenaten embodies everything that we mean when we say "Real Kings Don't Die". It’s inevitable that a "Real Kings" post on a pharaoh would arrive. It is understood that Africa, more specifically Egypt is the birthplace of mankind, so why would there not be a post on some of the first kings to ever rule. This process of selecting a pharaoh to present to our readers was hard though, these are some great men. When thinking of pharaohs the first thing that comes to mind is off course Tutankhamen, King Tut, but after thorough research we have unraveled that King Tut didn't possess the essential attributes we admire. He is renowned infamously due to the fact that his tomb has produced the most remains of any pharaoh in history. Akhenaten on the other hand had all the qualities that we were looking for.


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[Statue of Akhenaten in the Cairo Museum]

Akhenaten was the 10th pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt and ruled for 17 years from 1352 BC to 1335 BC. He made his mark in history by changing rules and making things the way he thought was right. That is what being a man is; doing what you want to do! The outcome and the lasting effect of doing what you want to do is what determines if you are a great man. One of his changes in the way of Ancient Egyptian life has left a lasting effect on how we all live today.

Originally named Amenhotep IV, five years after gaining the throne he changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the sun god Aten. Along with changing his name Akhenaten proceeded to make numerous changes in the way of Egyptian life. Religiously, Egypt was always a polytheistic religious state, but while under the rule of Akhenaten he made a change that was the first of its kind, he decided to change Egypt to monotheism more specifically, Atenism. Akhenaten was the first person in history to bring about monotheism which was the worship of one god. In lieu of the new found religion, he ordered that everything in Egypt that did not have to do with Atenism be destroyed in preparation of the new temples to solidify its presence.

[Stela showing Akhenaten and Nefertit offering to the Aten]

Akhenaten’s wife Nefertiti played a huge role aside her husband in the rise of monotheism. She was a strong wife and had a much more pivotal role than most wives in Ancient Egypt. Although the Pharaoh’s queen is already referred to as the Great Royal Wife, Nefertiti had a significantly larger role than usual. She was second to him alone when it came to rule of Egypt. We can do nothing but respect the king for what he did, he respected Nefertiti and noticed that he had a strong wife at his side so he put her in the position of power and they ruled together.

[Bust of Nefertiti located in the Neues Museum in Berlin, Germany]

Akhenaten ruled for 17 years, he did what no pharaoh has done before and this is why he is the greatest pharaoh in history. He left a lasting impression on the earth. Although upon his death Monotheism was abandoned in later years it was brought back to light and today we recognize him with the help of his wife Nefertiti as the creator of Monotheism. We admire the things he has done and we dub Akhenaten Forever a King.