World History
The Amarna Site - Discusses the 'Heretic Pharaoh' Akhenaten, his family, and the Amarna revolution. Includes original photographs and information on Amarna collections.
The historical focus on this Pharaoh is very much a product of Western bias. I remember studying this ruler in elementary school and the teacher making a big deal about how enlightened Akhenaten was because he advocated the worship of only one god. The view was that the change from polytheism to monotheism was a big enlightened move. The Egyptians did not think so though. As soon as the Pharaoh died, his religious revolution was undone.
And it makes one wonder, if the change from multiple gods to one god was progress, then isn't the move from one god to none even better? I would argue that it is not. However, this example shows how ancient history is often viewed through a western religious lense. Ankanaten would be a minor Pharaoh today with few studying him without this bias.
From the site:
Virtually no phase in the history of our planet's civilisations has so many unanswered questions, and attracts so many theories, as the Egyptian 'Amarna Period' when the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten turned away from the traditional gods and embraced his one god, the Aten sun disk.
Why did he turn his back on the existing Gods and close their temples, what was the relationship between Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, and what was the real reason for the apparent massive anti-Atenist backlash that followed his death?
- Hatshepsut V. Tuthmosis: A Royal Feud?
With permission, I am republishing the post A royal feud? written by Jennie Weber. I think it is interesting and worth publishing again. ******* This is an interesting article on the "feud" that has often been put forth as why many of Hatshepsut's...
- Mystery Mummy Is Lost Female Pharoah
Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt. She is considered by many historians to have been the most powerful (and successful) woman in ancient Egypt. Unfortunately for Hatshepsut, Thutmose III attempted to subject Hatshepsut...
- Zeus Worshippers Demand Access To Temple
Zeus Worshippers Demand Access to Temple. Pagans have revived the worship of the Greek God Zeus. Several hundred followers have begun holding religious ceremonies honoring the head of the Greek pantheon in Greece. I believe in religious freedom and I...
- History Of Egypt
History of Egypt. This is an overview to the history of the African nation of Egypt. Mind you, Egyptian history is thousands of years old. This essay reduces it and leaves out much. It is still a good summary if you want to see the bigger picture. From...
- The Real Story Of The Ancient Olympic Games
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games - Were the ancient games better than ours? More fair and square? More about sports and less about money? Are modern games more sexist? More political? Have we strayed from the ancient Olympic ideal? From...
World History
The Amarna Site
The Amarna Site - Discusses the 'Heretic Pharaoh' Akhenaten, his family, and the Amarna revolution. Includes original photographs and information on Amarna collections.
The historical focus on this Pharaoh is very much a product of Western bias. I remember studying this ruler in elementary school and the teacher making a big deal about how enlightened Akhenaten was because he advocated the worship of only one god. The view was that the change from polytheism to monotheism was a big enlightened move. The Egyptians did not think so though. As soon as the Pharaoh died, his religious revolution was undone.
And it makes one wonder, if the change from multiple gods to one god was progress, then isn't the move from one god to none even better? I would argue that it is not. However, this example shows how ancient history is often viewed through a western religious lense. Ankanaten would be a minor Pharaoh today with few studying him without this bias.
From the site:
Virtually no phase in the history of our planet's civilisations has so many unanswered questions, and attracts so many theories, as the Egyptian 'Amarna Period' when the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten turned away from the traditional gods and embraced his one god, the Aten sun disk.
Why did he turn his back on the existing Gods and close their temples, what was the relationship between Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, and what was the real reason for the apparent massive anti-Atenist backlash that followed his death?
- Hatshepsut V. Tuthmosis: A Royal Feud?
With permission, I am republishing the post A royal feud? written by Jennie Weber. I think it is interesting and worth publishing again. ******* This is an interesting article on the "feud" that has often been put forth as why many of Hatshepsut's...
- Mystery Mummy Is Lost Female Pharoah
Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt. She is considered by many historians to have been the most powerful (and successful) woman in ancient Egypt. Unfortunately for Hatshepsut, Thutmose III attempted to subject Hatshepsut...
- Zeus Worshippers Demand Access To Temple
Zeus Worshippers Demand Access to Temple. Pagans have revived the worship of the Greek God Zeus. Several hundred followers have begun holding religious ceremonies honoring the head of the Greek pantheon in Greece. I believe in religious freedom and I...
- History Of Egypt
History of Egypt. This is an overview to the history of the African nation of Egypt. Mind you, Egyptian history is thousands of years old. This essay reduces it and leaves out much. It is still a good summary if you want to see the bigger picture. From...
- The Real Story Of The Ancient Olympic Games
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games - Were the ancient games better than ours? More fair and square? More about sports and less about money? Are modern games more sexist? More political? Have we strayed from the ancient Olympic ideal? From...