Egyptian Gods

Aten is an ancient Egyptian god also known as Aton was the sun disk, the original aspect of Ra recognized first in the Middle Kingdom. Aten was the creative force that gives life to all lives on the earth.

Aten depicted as a sun disk projecting many downward rays which end in hands and represent the symbols of ‘life’. Sometimes, holding ankhs which was symbolize of eternal life. During the reign of Amunhotep IV in Dynasty 18, Aten was given a Royal Titular “King of the Gods”. He thought of himself as the embodiment of Aten and he also changed his name from Amunhotep to Akhenaten, whose name means “He Who Worships Aten”.

Akhenaten also proclaimed that Aten was the only one God and creator of the universe. He also abandoned all the old Gods and temples. He then built a new capital and ordered Egyptians to worship just a one deity. All other gods were banned, temples closed and the priests were forced to converted to Aten. The eccentric king Amenhotep IV effort seems to unite all Egyptian under one god, Aten.

Sadly, the Egyptians could not accept their king’s religion. After the king’s death the Atenism died too, all the public records were hastily erased and restored by all the delightful deities. All religious activities and temples went back to normal again. Finally, Akhenaten became abandoned and the name “Akhenaten” conjured the dim memory of a “heretic king”.