Akhenaton's Radical Changes

Dictionary.com defines pharaoh as a a title of an ancient Egyptian king and any person who uses power or authority to oppress others; tyrant.1 In 1353, Amenhotep IV, son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, was named pharaoh of Egypt. Akhenton is less seen in recorded images of Amenhotep III's reign. The video entitled Great Egyptians stated that he may have been deformed and embarrassing to the King.2 Akhenaton may have been deformed and pushed into the background, but Tiye had a power over the pharaoh which gave Akhenaton the power he needed to become pharaoh. The kingdom given to Amenhotep IV had long been a prosperous and peaceful land, under the rule of his father.3 The beginning of his reign appeared to be “normal”, or similar to previous reigns, but as time passed he began to implement changes politically, religiously, and artistically.4 In his fifth to sixth year of reigning he changed his named to Akhenaton and began construction of a new capital, where modern Armana is located.5 He was married to a woman named Nefertiti and they had six daughters and no sons.6 There is very little known information on whom Nefertiti was before marrying Amenhotep IV, it is said that perhaps her aunt was Tiye and she descended from Queen Ahmose-Nefertari.