Amarna
Location
About
Amarna (ancient Akhetaten) was a short-lived capital city built by the 'heretic pharaoh' Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) around 1346 BCE to worship the sun disc Aten as the sole god — the first documented attempt at monotheism or strict monolatry in history. The city was abandoned after Akhenaten's death in 1336 BCE and never reoccupied, preserving a remarkable snapshot of one generation of Egyptian history.
Significance
Amarna is one of the most significant sites in the history of religion. Akhenaten's Aten religion — suppressing traditional Egyptian gods, closing temples, and proclaiming Aten as the sole divine source — is the earliest known example of officially enforced religious exclusivism. The relationship between Akhenaten's monotheism and the emergence of Israelite monotheism has fascinated scholars for over a century.
History & Historical Arc
Akhenaten founded Akhetaten around 1346 BCE on a virgin site in Middle Egypt, claiming that Aten himself chose the locat…
Archaeological Notes
Flinders Petrie's excavations (1891-1892) and subsequent British and German work have revealed the royal tomb, private t…
Key Features & Structures
- Royal Tomb of Akhenaten
- Private tombs with Amarna art
Visitor Information
On the east bank of the Nile near Minya. Requires local transport. Tombs are open but in remote desert. Combine with jou…
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Amarna Letters (EA 1-382)
- Petrie, Tell el-Amarna (1894)