Product Description

One of the most compelling and controversial figures in history, Akhenaten has captured the imagination like no other Egyptian pharaoh. Much has been written about this strange, persecuted figure, whose freakishly elongated and effeminate appearance is totally at odds with that of the traditional Egyptian ruler-hero. Known today as a heretic, Akhenaten sought to impose upon Egypt and its people the worship of a single god â the sun â and in so doing changed the country in every way. In this immensely readable re-evaluation, Nicholas Reeves takes issue with the existing view of Akhenaten, presenting an entirely new perspective on the turbulent events of his seventeen-year reign. Reeves argues that, far from being the idealistic founder of a new faith, Akhenaten cynically used religion for purely political ends in a calculated attempt to reassert the authority of the king â to concentrate all power in his own hands. Backed up by abundant archaeological and documentary evidence, Reevesâs closely written narrative also provides many new insights into questions that have baffled scholars for generations â the puzzle of the body in Tomb 55 in the Valley of the Kings; the fate of Nefertiti, Akhenatenâs beautiful wife, and the identity of the mysterious successor, Smenkhkare; and the theory that Tutankhamun, Akhenatenâs son and true heir, was murdered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #153264 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"'Akhenaten presents ingenious archaeology as a racy, irresistible detective story full of hidden clues (and bodies), magic geometry and ruthlessness masked as mysticism' - The New York Times Book Review 'Reeves leads the reader adeptly through archaeological finds and the latest research on the Amarna period... an entertaining and informative volume' - THES 'A tremendous read... brings factional division in ancient Egypt vividly to life' - Birmingham Post 'Substantial and comprehensive... written approachably and with an eye for human interest' - Antiquity"

About the Author
Nicholas Reeves is Director of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project, Valley of the Kings, and Curator of Egptian and Classical Art at Eton College.

Customer Reviews

Mostly balanced but sometimes extreme
Akhenaten has to be one of the most fascinating characters in Egyptian history and the deliberate destruction of much the documentation of his historical legacy by subsequent Pharaohs often leaves the Amarna period open to the wildest of speculations. Nicholas Reeves presents a wealth of information in this book, often including many quotes from original sources and photos of original art work so that the readers can judge some of his conclusions for themselves.

The book is carefully researched and the general argument that Akhenaten used his religious beliefs to legitimate his power is well supported by the evidence quoted. This does not of course preclude the notion that Akhenaten was sincere in his beliefs and Reeves does not suggest this. In fact it seems far from illogical that a ruler of ancient Egypt could have believed he was the son of god.

Many of the conundrums of Amarna history are argued in a very balanced way in the book. Reeves effectively debunks the theories that Akhenaten was homosexual or that his appearance in statuary was due to Froehlich's syndrome. He provides interesting evidence in relation to suggestions that Akhenaten may or may not have suffered from Marfan's syndrome and that Nerfertiti may or may not have been promoted to the status of co-regent. At times, however, Reeves takes fairly extreme positions based on somewhat flimsy evidence. He claims that Akhenaten's 'dictatorial rule' led Egypt to the 'brink of disaster', that Akhenaten's rule involved 'wanton destruction' and 'deliberate neglect'. He describes the later years of Amarna as a 'terror' and suggests that Pharaoh's lover Kiya had an evil personality and may have been pulling strings behind the scene. These extreme positions are supported with arguments based on evidence where the author and purpose of the documents quoted is often ignored. One document marshalled in favor of the sorry state Egypt had descended into was written by a priest of Amun, who would obviously have had a significantly biased agenda.

Overall though, the book is extremely readable and paints a fascinating picture of power politics in Egypt, where priests, generals and the Pharoah himself vie for power and influence in a manner so typical of politics throughout the history of mankind that it certainly rings true.

Amarna through Akhenaten
Akhenaton, Nefertiti and Tutankhamun have achieved the Egyptian goal of eternal life because they seem to be constantly on television in BBC specials through to History Channel and Discovery. The casual reader soon learns that Akhenaton is an enigmatic character who apparently turned Egyptian life upside down, so much so his general-come-pharaoh Horemheb decided to remove him and his family from history. Nicholas has produced top notch work on Tutankhamum in the form of a lavishly illustrated "The complete Tutankhamun, the king, the tomb the royal treasure" and Akhenaton is sound stuff also.

Unfortunately, the subject of Akhenaton can spiral into (extreme) speculation but in this case Nicholas keeps us in safe hands. The information within the book is sensational from the point of view that Akhenaton did things his way and carried out the equivalent of a one-man revolution. However, Nicholas goes to great lengths to provide objective evidence to support his views and this gives the work a down-to-earth feel. For those readers looking for confirmation that Akhenaton was really Moses you will be presented with facts that give a different picture. For those seeking more knowledge about the Armarna period here is a book that is difficult to put down once you read the first chapter. Here is a book I would gladly recommend because the writing style is good, it is well illustrated and packed with facts, figures and references. For those who would like a different view point on the 'Armarna period', consider "Tutankhamun, the life and death of a boy King" by Christine El Madhy.

well researched and written.
Nicholas Reeves has gone into depth about the life of one of Egypts most famous kings including his famous wife Nefertiti and the mysterious connection between her and the mummy of tomb KV55 (Smenkhare?).His detailed analysis and pictures of El-Armana are the best that I have seen to date and the new approach to our view of Akhenaten as a weak and effeminate ruler, far from the typical presentaion of an all poweful pharoah, instead presenting him as a cynical controlling man consumed by power.His narrative also goes into the enigmatic Tutankhamun's death and the possiblility of murder.All this is backed up by a mass of physical evidence and fact that makes it a compulsive read for any would be egyptologists.