Akhenaten and Tutankhamun: Revolution and Restoration - Hardcover

Silverman, David P.; Wegner, Josef W.; Wegner, Jennifer Houser

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1931707901 ISBN 13: 9781931707909

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 2006

Synopsis

Egypt's eighteenth dynasty, a period of empire building, was also for a short time the focus of a religious revolution. Now called the Amarna Period (1353-1322 BCE), after the site of an innovative capital city that was the center of the new religion, it included the reigns of the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten and his presumed son, the boy king Tutankhamun.

Three Penn Egyptologists examine the concept of royal power and demonstrate how Akhenaten established, projected, and maintained his vision of it. They investigate how and why this unique pharaoh made fundamental changes in the social contract between himself and his subjects on one side, and between his new solar god, the Aten, and himself on the other. The authors also look at the radical religion, politics, and art, he introduced to Egypt as well as at the consequences of his actions after his death, including how his successors, most notably, Tutankhamun, Egypt's most famous pharaoh, dealt with the restoration of traditional ways. Why did this reversal take place? Could a youth effect such changes without significant help?

In concise and readable form, this generously illustrated volume takes a fresh approach to a most fascinating period in Egyptian history. It deals with such topics as the evolution of Akhenaten's ideology and the concepts surrounding the foundation, construction, and use of his innovative city and its unique palaces, temples, and houses. Egypt's empire, the role of its women, its relations with other nations of the ancient world, and the remarkable place both Akhenaten and Tutankhmun hold in history are also among other issues discussed. An epilogue recaps how Amarna's modern discovery helped solve the mysteries surrounding this city, its unique founder, and the aftermath of his revolution.

About this title

About the Author

David P. Silverman is Professor and Chair, Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Pennsylvania. He is also Curator-in-Charge of the Egyptian Section at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. Josef Wegner is Associate Curator in the Egyptian Section at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and Associate Professor of Egyptology at the University of Pennsylvania. Jennifer Houser Wegner is Associate Curator in the Egyptian Section at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1931707901
• ISBN 13: 9781931707909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208