One of the most unique aspects of history is that pieces of various civilizations can live on to the modern day through what they choose to leave behind. This is evident, in the fact that we have a large understanding of many cultures and their beliefs based on what they have left behind for us to learn from. One culture that has been able to be studied to great lengths because of the pieces of history they have left behind is the Egyptian culture and one of the oldest pieces of literature left behind was The Great Hymn to Aten.
The Great Hymn to the Aten is the longest form of one of a number of hymn-poems dedicated to the Egyptian god Aten. The hymn itself was written by the king of Egypt, Amenhotep IV, and its content not only praises the god Aten but emphasizes the close connection between Aten and Amenhotep IV. The hymn specifically extolls Aten for the blessings Egypt receives and describes the good provisions made possible for the human world because of Aten.
What interests me about this piece is the historical circumstance that surrounds the religion and the great insight into Egyptian culture that is given. In this piece, we receive a slight glimpse into Egyptian culture and their views on God, the universe and the world around them. Based on the summary given before the actual piece, we learn that this religion was created through political and religious revolutions. So when Amenhotep IV died, his successor quickly abolished the religion in favor of the more traditional and conservative religion. But during Amenhotep’s rein we can make the argument that the Egyptian people believed in what seems to be a monotheistic religion. In this religion, Aten the sun god, is intertwined into all of the Egyptians lives. This is demonstrated in the hymn when it states, “ Those on earth come from your hand as you made them, When you have dawned they live, When you set they die”(Lines 111-113). Not only does this piece emphasize their views on how the world works, but it demonstrates how people viewed the king in relationship to Aten. This piece strongly indicates that the king has a close connection to Aten. In the final lines of the hymn it states, “There is no one other who knows you,Only your son, Neferkheprure, Sole-one-of-Re, Whom you have taught your ways and your might” (Lines 108-110). The lines from 108-110 strongly indicate a social hierarchy in which the pharaoh remains closest to the Gods.
As indicated by the summary provided before the actual reading, when Amenhotep IV died his successor abandoned the new religion in favor of a more traditional and conservative one. Not only did the Egyptian society abandon the new religion, they dismantled the new capital city created by Amenhotep IV and attempted to destroy any evidence of his kingship. This only reinforces the idea, that history keeps things once forgotten alive.
Questions
1.) Where did this belief of monotheism come from?
2.) Is this new religion monotheistic?
**In Egypts polytheistic religion, there was a sole God responsible for the underworld that was mentioned in the hymn**
3.) Does the Queen share an equal relationship to Aten when compared to Amenhotep IV?
Hi! In answer to one of your questions, I do believe that this is a monotheistic religion. The people only believed and worshiped Aten rather than believing and worshiping multiple gods. Although there is a only one God in charge of the under-world, the Egyptians still believed and worshiped many other gods. It’s interesting how the change from polytheistic to a monotheistic was because of a political and religion revolution. The fact that the successor of the former king abolished the monotheistic religion goes to show how religion isn’t something that can be easily changed solely because of politics. It’s not something that can be forced onto others, but a choice that the people themselves should have the freedom of choosing.