In Our Time
Akhenaten
Oct 1, 2009
Experts in Egyptology discuss Pharaoh Akhenaten's radical religious reforms in ancient Egypt, his shift to worshiping a single solar god Aten, the controversial changes in art and architecture, and the enduring fascination with Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti despite attempts to erase them from history.
42:12
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Akhenaten shifted ancient Egypt from polytheism to worshipping Aten, revolutionizing art and religion.
- Akhenaten's radical policies caused social disruption and centralized power, leaving a lasting impact on Egyptian culture.
Deep dives
Akhenaten's Radical Transformation of Ancient Egypt
Akhenaten, an Egyptian pharaoh who reigned in 1353 BC, initiated a radical transformation of ancient Egypt. He shifted from traditional Egyptian polytheism to worshipping the sun god, Aten, erasing the names and images of other gods. Akhenaten's reign saw the construction of a new capital, Amarna, where he built grand temples and associated himself with a singular divine presence. His art revolutionized Egyptian representations with elongated forms and naturalistic cityscapes, focusing on his family and the sun god.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
