Akhetaten Fellowship facts for kids
The Akhetaten Fellowship is a group dedicated to bringing back an ancient Egyptian religion called Atenism. They hope to share this faith with people all over the world.
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What is Atenism?
Atenism was a special religion from ancient Egypt. It was different because it focused on worshipping only one god, Aten. Aten was shown as the sun disk, giving life and warmth to everyone. This was a big change from the many gods Egyptians usually worshipped.
Who was Akhenaten?
A pharaoh named Akhenaten started Atenism around 1353 BC. He was a powerful ruler who decided to change Egypt's traditional religion. Before him, Egyptians worshipped many gods, like Ra, Osiris, and Isis. Akhenaten believed that Aten was the only true god.
Beliefs of Atenism
The main idea of Atenism was that Aten created everything. Aten was seen as a loving god who cared for all living things. Unlike other Egyptian gods, Aten did not have a human or animal form. Aten was simply the sun disk, with rays reaching down like hands. These rays often held ankh symbols, which meant life.
The Akhetaten Fellowship Today
The Akhetaten Fellowship is a modern group that wants to revive Atenism. They believe that the ancient ideas of Atenism are still important today. They work to teach people about this unique faith.
Why Revive an Ancient Faith?
The Fellowship believes Atenism offers a simple and powerful message. They see Aten as a universal god, meaning a god for everyone, everywhere. They hope to create a peaceful community based on these ancient ideas.
How the Fellowship Works
The Akhetaten Fellowship shares information about Atenism through books and online resources. They also hold meetings and discussions for people interested in learning more. Their goal is to build a worldwide community of Atenism followers.
Akhetaten: The City of Aten
Akhenaten built a brand new capital city just for Atenism. This city was called Akhetaten, which means "Horizon of Aten." Today, we know this place as Amarna. It was a special city built in the desert, far from the old religious centers.
Building a New Capital
Akhenaten wanted a fresh start for his new religion. He chose a spot in the desert that had never been used for other gods. The city was built quickly, with temples dedicated to Aten. These temples were open to the sky, letting the sun's rays shine directly inside.
Life in Akhetaten
Akhetaten was a busy city with palaces, homes, and workshops. People lived and worked there, following Akhenaten's new religious rules. The city was designed to honor Aten in every way. However, after Akhenaten's death, the city was abandoned, and Egypt returned to its old gods.
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