Akhenaten was born Amenhotep, a younger son of pharaoh Amenhotep III and his principal wife Tiye. He had an elder brother named Thutmose who served as crown prince until his early death around the thirtieth regnal year of their father.
When did Akhenaten change his name to Akhenaten and why?
In Year Five of his reign Amenhotep IV took decisive steps to establish the Aten as the sole god of Egypt and officially changed his name from Amenhotep IV to Akhenaten meaning Effective for the Aten. By Year Nine he declared that Aten was not merely supreme but the only worshipable god existing anywhere.
Where is the city built by Akhenaten located today?
Akhenaten decreed new capital city be built called Akhetaten meaning Horizon of Aten better known today as Amarna. He selected site halfway between Thebes and Memphis on east bank Nile where wadi natural dip formed silhouette resembling horizon hieroglyph.
How many children did Akhenaten have according to inscriptions found across Egypt?
Evidence suggests he could have had seven or eight children based on various inscriptions found across Egypt. Six daughters are well documented with names like Meritaten, Meketaten, Ankhesenpaaten, Neferneferuaten Tasherit, Neferneferure, and Setepenre.
What happened to the mummy identified as Akhenaten after his death?
Mummy removed royal tombs after Tutankhamun abandoned Akhetaten returned Thebes most likely moved tomb KV55 Valley Kings near Thebes later desecrated Ramesside period. Whether Smenkhkare enjoyed brief independent reign unclear ruled less than year if outlived next successor thought Neferneferuaten ruling Egypt about two years succeeded Tutankhaten country administered vizier future pharaoh Ay.