(November 30, 2021 at 5:53 pm)Ranjr Wrote:(November 29, 2021 at 8:15 pm)Oldandeasilyconfused Wrote: The great heretic of ancient Egyptian history Ahkenaten introduced monotheism to Egypt in the 14th century bce. This was in the form of the sun god, Aten. All of his works were destroyed by his son, Tutankhamun, and all of the old gods were restored. The Egyptian religion lasted for another 1000 years. The Torah was not written for at least 500 years after Ahkenaten.
Another interesting thing about Ahkenaten (Amenhotep IV) and his destruction of the other temples and seizure of their wealth is that he proclaimed only he could pray directly to Aten, leaving the populous to pray to him as an intermediary. Thus, we have not only the guide for shifting power from the clergy to a ruler but the prototype for praying to god in the name of an intermediary.
Yeah, he was smart in his obsession. I seem to remember reading that Nefertiti, the great royal wife was also allowed to pray to the Aten.
I've also read somewhere that the wonderful chair from Tutankamun's tomb is of Akhenaton and Nefertiti. It shows the light of the Aten shining on them. It's beginning to look like great many things found in Tutankamun's tomb were meant for someone else, including that amazing mask and in fact the tomb also.
