Akenatón

historical figure

Akenatón, also known as Amenhotep IV, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty who ruled around 1353–1336 BCE. He is best known for introducing a form of monotheism centered on the worship of the sun disk, Aten, which marked a significant departure from traditional polytheistic beliefs. Akenatón relocated the capital to Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna) and left a controversial legacy that included radical changes in art, religion, and society. His reign is often characterized by a distinct artistic style that emphasized naturalism and intimacy in depictions of the royal family. After his death, Akenatón's reforms were largely reversed, and his monuments were defaced or destroyed.