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The influence Amenhotep IV had on art and religion of his time caused him to be one of the most controversial Egyptian pharaohs of all time. The 10th king of the 18th dynasty, he has been called the most remarkable king to sit on Egypt's throne. He has also earned the honor of being called "the first individual in human history."1

The cult of Aten did develop before his rule, perhaps as early as 1411 B.C. It paid homage to the sun, its central idea was ‘living on ma'at,' that is, variously translated as "righteousness", "justice", and "truth." The doctrine of this religion failed to win the approval or support of any but Akhenaten's followers. It is said that cult of Aten did not have an ethical code. It centered around gratitude towards life the sun for life and warmth. Ankh was life the force that the sun-disk (Aten's ) rays bestowed on man in most of the art.

The people could not pray directly to Aten. They directed their prayers instead to the king, who was the only......

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Approximate Word Count: 2465
Approximate Pages: 10 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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