18th
dynasty of Ancient
Egypt, 1353-1336
BCE, married to
Nefertiti, helped to establish a
monotheistic religion during his reign to replace
Amon, (
polytheism). His
god,
Aton (
Amon-Re,
Re or
Ra) was symbolized by the
sun. His original name Amenhotep was changed to Akhenaton meaning 'One Useful to Aton'.
He built a new temple at
Karnak, moving the religious center of Egypt from
Thebes.
This usurped the religious power from the
polytheistic priethood that had been in control of Egypt. Once Akhenaton died, his weaker successors were unable to continue the new movement and the priesthood resetablished their power over the people.
His successors were first
Smenkhkare, a breif rule, and then by a second
son-in-law, Tutankhaton, who changed his name to
Tutankhamen and brought back Amon, and returned the power to Thebes.