1362 – 1346 BCE: Amunhotep IV / Akhenaten (18th Dynasty, Part 7)

Summary Episode.We've covered a lot since Akhenaten abandoned the traditional capitals and moved to his new home of Akhet-Aten. Now, the second phase of pharaoh's rule lasted between regnal years…

Akhenaten (Part 11): Foreigners Submit.By 1351 BCE, Akhenaten had achieved many of his early goals. His city, Akhet-Aten, was established, his religious ideas were reaching maturity, and the King could…

Akhenaten (Part 10): Queen Tiye's RetirementBy 1351 BCE, regnal year 12, Akhenaten's mother Tiye had been a royal lady for fifty years. Now in semi-retirement, living away from the political spotlight,…

Akhenaten (Part 9): A Royal Son.Every pharaoh of ancient Egypt desired an heir, to continue the lineage of Horus and perpetuate the rule of their family bloodline. Akhenaten, we presume, was…

Supporting Aten's TemplesTo keep their government and economy running, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt relied on allies, servants and friends. Akhenaten (Nefer-kheperu-Re) was no exception. In this episode, we meet…

The Temples of AtenAkhenaten changed many features of ancient Egyptian religion. But although his god was distant and universal, the Aten still needed a home. Today, we explore how Akhenaten…

Interlude: An Interview with AkhnatenIn 1983, Philip Glass debuted his opera Akhnaten, a bold musical exploration of the pharaoh, his reign and his legacy in ancient Egypt. Now, Akhnaten returns…

Akhenaten (Part 8): Precursors to AtenismPrior to Akhenaten's reign, the worship of Ra had been developing in fascinating ways. From Thebes, a variety of tomb texts show us hints of pharaoh's…