Atenism facts for kids

Aten

Atenism was a very old religion from ancient Egypt. It was special because it focused on worshipping only one god, called Aten. Aten was seen as the sun disk itself, and the light that came from it. This religion was started by a pharaoh named Akhenaten, who was also known as Amenhotep IV. Atenism lasted for about 20 years, until Akhenaten passed away. After him, his son, Tutankhamun, brought back the traditional Egyptian religion with many gods. Today, some groups are trying to bring Atenism back as a religion around the world.

What Was Atenism?

Atenism was one of the first religions in history to worship only one god. This is called monotheism. Most ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses. But during Atenism, the only god people worshipped was Aten. Aten was not just the sun, but the actual disk of the sun and the light that came from it. People believed Aten gave life to everything on Earth.

Who Started Atenism?

A pharaoh named Amenhotep IV started Atenism. He later changed his name to Akhenaten, which means "Spirit of Aten." Akhenaten became pharaoh around 1353 BC. He believed that Aten was the one true god. He even built a brand new capital city called Akhetaten, which means "Horizon of Aten." Today, this city is known as Amarna.

Why Was Atenism Different?

Akhenaten made big changes to Egyptian religion. Before Atenism, the most powerful god was Amun-Ra. Akhenaten closed the temples of other gods and even had their names removed from monuments. This was a huge change for the people of Egypt. They had always worshipped many gods, and suddenly they were told to worship only one.

The End of Atenism

Atenism did not last very long. It ended when Pharaoh Akhenaten died, after about 20 years. His son, Tutankhamun, became the next pharaoh. Tutankhamun decided to bring back the old, traditional Egyptian religion with all its gods. He reopened the temples and restored the names of the gods that Akhenaten had removed. Tutankhamun even moved the capital city back to Thebes.

Atenism Today

Even though Atenism ended thousands of years ago, some modern groups are interested in it. They are trying to revive Atenism as a religion today. One such group is called Akhetaten Fellowship.

Images for kids

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  Pharaoh Akhenaten and his family adoring the Aten.

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  The name of god Amun was erased, probably during the Amarna era of Akhenaten. Detail of stela of Djeserka, a doorkeeper of the Amun temple at Thebes. From Thebes, Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London

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  Hieroglyphs on the backpillar of Amenhotep III's statue. There are 2 places where Akhenaten's agents erased the name Amun, later restored on a deeper surface. The British Museum, London

• Detail of funerary stela of Amenemhat. The name of God Amun was erased by Akhenaten's agents. Limestone, painted. From Egypt, early 18th Dynasty. The Burrell Collection, Glasgow.jpg

  Detail of funerary stela of Amenemhat. The name of God Amun was erased by Akhenaten's agents. Limestone, painted. From Egypt, early 18th Dynasty. The Burrell Collection, Glasgow

See also

In Spanish: Atonismo para niños