Atenisme

Atenisme, or Atenism, denotes the religious reform associated with the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten (originally Amenhotep IV; ruled circa 1353–1336 BCE). It centered on Aten, the sun disk, as the sole deity and is commonly described as a move toward monotheism or monolatry within ancient Egyptian religion. The reform included the founding of a new royal cult and the establishment of a new administrative and religious center at Akhetaten (modern Tell el-Amarna), away from the traditional cults centered in Thebes.

Under Atenism, Aten was portrayed as the creator and sustainer of life, revealed through the pharaoh. Traditional priesthoods were marginalized, and temples to other gods were neglected. Worship emphasized the sun and the king’s direct relationship with Aten, with art portraying the pharaoh in a close union with the deity. Whether the movement was strictly monotheistic or monolatrous remains debated.

Akhenaten's reforms were short-lived. After his death, Tutankhamun and Horemheb restored the old religion and moved the capital back to Thebes. The cult of Aten declined, and much Amarna material was erased or sidelined during the restoration. The Amarna period remains a focal point for scholars studying religious experimentation and state reform in ancient Egypt.

Scholarly assessment of Atenism highlights its significance as one of the most radical religious reforms in ancient Egypt. Debates focus on whether it represented true monotheism, a form of monolatry, or a political project tied to royal authority. The Amarna inscriptions and archaeological findings continue to influence views on religion, state power, and art in the mid-14th century BCE.