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"Beautiful, you appear
Almost every world history textbook touches on the religious revolution that Akhenaton caused in Egyptian history. World Literature texts should, if they don't already, make sure they include in their anthologies the haunting and beautiful "Hymn to Aten," written by the enigmatic pharaoh. Possibly no other figure in Egyptian history has drawn so heavily on our historical imagination. This has resulted in a rash of novels, movies, and biographies that seem to say more about our imagination that about the historical pharaoh. Like some sort of cultural mirror this fascinating pharaoh has been called weak, effete, deformed, a moral and spiritual reformer, the first monotheist, a "tragic precursor to Christ,"and rationalist. How are we to make sense of such widely diverse interpretations. Eric Hornung in "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light" effectively and succinctly guides us through the mess of interpretations to a sympathetic, yet historically critical understanding of the pharaoh's theology and impact upon Egyptian history. Starting with the sequence of historical discoveries throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Mr Hornung simply and lucidly walks us through archeological discoveries pertaining to the pharaoh and how these discoveries were interpreted by archeologists. Most exciting to learn is that these discoveries are still going on, discoveries that continue to shape and to mold our understanding of the pharaoh and his theology. Like any good historian, Mr. Hornung then begins to explain the social and historical context that gave rise to Akenaton and his religion of light. We are exposed to theological strands of New Kingdom solar theology that focused on the sun's renewal of creation and nightly journey through the terrors of the dark netherworld. It is a sun that is remote and inaccessible, yet remains immanent through its' rays. We are told that this was a time of seeking in Egyptian religion for new intermediaries for aspirants to directly connect to. Akenaton's new theology evolved gradually at first. The god Aton was not new in Egypt, it represented the light of the sun. What was new was the prominence that Akenaton gave to this god. New too was the development of new artistic styles and iconography, religious language, emphasis on the singularity of this god, a new capital city, and a new royal theology. The radical shifts in artistic expression Mr. Hornung describes as a shift form the Egyptian static forms of eternity to those of motion. Chariot scenes, the movement of animals, and a highlighting of emotion are central themes to this period. The iconography of Aton becomes expressed solely in the solar disk, emitting rays of light that end in helping hands. All animals forms disappear. This very personal religion, the first developing religion that we can historically track, was based on the pharaoh. He was the son of God in a very personal way, and was the chief spokesman as well. Personal piety in effect was loyalty and devotion to the King. These factors make the continuation of the religion after the pharaoh's death very problematic. Even more problematic was that Akenaton has no male heirs. This religion of light soon fell into obscurity after the pharaoh's death. Akenaton's legacy to Egyptian religion can be seen as the introduction of new language, new styles in art, a reemphasis on a royal theology, a renewed focus on the sun, and a forcing of Egyptian religion to become more self-conscious. Erik Hornung has spent a life time trying to unravel for us the intricacies of Egyptian religion. His books are accessible, well written, and full of useful information. Readers who enjoy "Akenaton and the Religion of Light" should also consider his "Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt," "History of Ancient Egypt: An Introduction," and "The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Afterlife." review © 2000 by Tom Collins and RSiSS Return to Ancient Middle East resources |
