Primary Evidence-The Great Hymn To The Aten By Akhenaten
Akhenaten promoted worship of the Aten as a significant deity in Egypt, allowing for it to gain religious authority across the region. This is conveyed in ‘The Great Hymn To The Aten By Akhenaten’. This particular source praises the Aten, presenting it as a symbol of great significance that watches over and maintains all of Egypt. The source states: “You are beauteous, great, radiant, High over every land; Your rays embrace the lands, To the limit of all that you made.”, which suggests that the Aten was considered to be the supreme creator of all life, indicating Akhenaten’s attempts to increase the significance of this deity. This hymn clearly demonstrates the Aten as an authoritative religious figure, also stating: “Lord of all who toils for them, Lord of all lands who shines for them, Aten of daytime, great in glory!”, revealing that this deity was considered to be a highly-valued religious figure who was to be worshipped regularly. It also discusses the significant relationship between Akhenaten and the Aten, stating that only Akhenaten can truly know the Aten: You are in my heart, There is no other who knows you, Only your son, Neferkheprure, Sole-one-of-Re, Whom you have taught your ways and your might.”, indicating the importance of the Aten through their association. This source provides reliable insight into the time of Akhenaten’s reign, presenting his perspective on the significance of the Aten. Despite this, the source does not provide entirely reliable information as it tarnished with bias from Akhenaten in his attempt to promote the Aten as a significant deity. Therefore, this source is extremely significant as it conveys Akhenaten’s promotion of worship of the Aten as a significant deity in Egypt, allowing for it to be viewed as possessing major religious authority.
Primary Evidence-Section of the Armanan Boundary Stele
Akhenaten achieved further promotion of the Aten through clear worship of this deity with his family. This is evident in a section of the Armanan boundary stele, which displays the Pharaoh and his family worshipping the Aten. In the stele, the Pharaoh and his family are depicted with their arms outstretched and faces turned upwards in praise towards the Aten, which is placed above all elements of the image. This demonstrates that the Aten was viewed as a superior power and was to be put above all else, and worshipped by all. The figures in the source gradually become smaller, with Akhenaten as one of the largest figures, hence depicting his power and authority as Pharaoh. The sizing and positioning of the figures also indicates that despite status, the Aten is to be worshipped by all citizens, including the Pharaoh. This source is considered to be reliable as it allows for an insight into Akhenaten’s reign, displaying his continuous promotion of the Aten. Being a primary source also increases the reliability as it possesses less bias and presents factual information regarding the reign of Akhenaten, presenting insight into the past. Therefore, this source is of great significance as it displays Akhenaten’s promotion of the Aten with his family through worship of the deity.
|