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Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet
A lavishly illustrated portrait of ancient Egypt's heretic pharaoh sheds new light on the turbulent events of Akhenaten's reign; his efforts to impose upon his kingdom the worship of a single god; the political, cultural, social, and artistic facets of the Amarna era; and the mysteries of Akhenaten, the fate of his wife Nefertiti, and the death of his heir, Tutankhamun. 12,000 first printing.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
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804 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Reeves
31 books18 followersCarl Nicholas Reeves (born 28 September 1956) is an English Egyptologist best known for his archaeological work in and writings on the Valley of the Kings. He is currently Sylvan C. Coleman and Pamela Coleman Memorial Fellow for 2010/11 in the Department of Egyptian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Background
A specialist in Egyptian history and material culture, Reeves is a graduate (first class honours) in Ancient History from University College London (1979). He received his Ph.D. in Egyptology (Studies in the Archaeology of the Valley of the Kings, with Particular Reference to Tomb Robbery and the Caching of the Royal Mummies) from Durham University in 1984.
He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1994, and an Honorary Fellow of the Oriental Museum, Durham University in 1996. Between 1998 and 2004 he was Honorary Research Fellow in the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
Museums
Reeves has been active in various museum and heritage roles, including: Curator in the former Department of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum (initiating the Survey of Egyptian Collections in the UK - now an important component of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Cornucopia database) (1984–1991); Curator to the seventh Earl of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle (1988–1998); Curatorial Consultant on Egyptian antiquities to the Freud Museum, London 1986-2006); Honorary Curator and Director of Collections for the Denys Eyre Bower Bequest at Chiddingstone Castle, Kent (1995–2002 and 2003–2007); and G.A.D. Tait Curator of Egyptian and Classical Art at Eton College (2000–2010).
Archaeology
Between 1998 and 2002 Reeves worked in the field as Director of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, undertaking four seasons of survey and excavation with an international team in search of evidence for the missing burials of the women of Akhenaten's court. The first stratigraphic excavation of the Valley ever attempted, among the features pinpointed (during the project's 2000 radar survey) was KV-63, subsequently excavated by Otto Schaden then working for the University of Memphis.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Background
A specialist in Egyptian history and material culture, Reeves is a graduate (first class honours) in Ancient History from University College London (1979). He received his Ph.D. in Egyptology (Studies in the Archaeology of the Valley of the Kings, with Particular Reference to Tomb Robbery and the Caching of the Royal Mummies) from Durham University in 1984.
He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1994, and an Honorary Fellow of the Oriental Museum, Durham University in 1996. Between 1998 and 2004 he was Honorary Research Fellow in the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
Museums
Reeves has been active in various museum and heritage roles, including: Curator in the former Department of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum (initiating the Survey of Egyptian Collections in the UK - now an important component of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Cornucopia database) (1984–1991); Curator to the seventh Earl of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle (1988–1998); Curatorial Consultant on Egyptian antiquities to the Freud Museum, London 1986-2006); Honorary Curator and Director of Collections for the Denys Eyre Bower Bequest at Chiddingstone Castle, Kent (1995–2002 and 2003–2007); and G.A.D. Tait Curator of Egyptian and Classical Art at Eton College (2000–2010).
Archaeology
Between 1998 and 2002 Reeves worked in the field as Director of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, undertaking four seasons of survey and excavation with an international team in search of evidence for the missing burials of the women of Akhenaten's court. The first stratigraphic excavation of the Valley ever attempted, among the features pinpointed (during the project's 2000 radar survey) was KV-63, subsequently excavated by Otto Schaden then working for the University of Memphis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 5, 2023
Rating 2.5 stars. Pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti, the Amarna period (14th century BCE), the exclusive worship of the solar disk Aten, and especially the Mannerist iconography, are things that continue to intrigue experts (and amateurs) on ancient Egyptian history. These topics are extremely interesting and controversial at the same time. So much so that scientists are still not sure how to place and interpret them. The classical view, inspired by biblical study, that Akhenaten single-handedly invented monotheism and that it passed directly from him to the Hebrews has long since been superseded, as more than 700 years elapsed between the Egyptian and the Hebrew model, and probably even more.
In recent decades, historians have placed more and more emphasis on continuity within the history of the Egyptian New Kingdom: long before Akhenaten there were attempts at a more exclusive religious worship, in particular of the solar disc 'Aten'. Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves agrees with this view. He points to the pharaohs who preceded Akhenaten, who had clearly already entered into battle with the mighty temple of the god Amun at Thebes. A political battle, therefore, in which the pharaoh tried to temper the power of the priests through all kinds of manoeuvres, and reverted to the old tradition of divinisation of the king. Akhenaten then seems no more than a continuation of that policy.
Continuity also is uphold by Reeves. Only, he nevertheless portrays Akhnaton as an aberration, someone who continued the line to the point of the absurd, and also focused on himself and his immediate environment (especially Nefertiti and his children) in other domains. Reeves writes absolutely interesting about all this, but certainly in the last third of this book becomes downright tendentious, and that is actually incomprehensible. More about that in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In recent decades, historians have placed more and more emphasis on continuity within the history of the Egyptian New Kingdom: long before Akhenaten there were attempts at a more exclusive religious worship, in particular of the solar disc 'Aten'. Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves agrees with this view. He points to the pharaohs who preceded Akhenaten, who had clearly already entered into battle with the mighty temple of the god Amun at Thebes. A political battle, therefore, in which the pharaoh tried to temper the power of the priests through all kinds of manoeuvres, and reverted to the old tradition of divinisation of the king. Akhenaten then seems no more than a continuation of that policy.
Continuity also is uphold by Reeves. Only, he nevertheless portrays Akhnaton as an aberration, someone who continued the line to the point of the absurd, and also focused on himself and his immediate environment (especially Nefertiti and his children) in other domains. Reeves writes absolutely interesting about all this, but certainly in the last third of this book becomes downright tendentious, and that is actually incomprehensible. More about that in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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October 21, 2024Rating 2.5 stars. I don't get it. This is a very interesting book, and overall well documented, but the author, although a skilled Egyptologist, is guilty of downright tendentious historiography. Nicolas Reeves starts off well: in his introduction he criticizes the high degree of speculation used in his field; the sources are limited and so the gaps are often filled with "maybe's" that are quickly used as historical reality. Almost all of historiography and archeology from the earliest antiquity suffers from this ailment.
And yet Reeves has given his book a title in which he portrays the notorious pharaoh Akhenaten as a false prophet. And in the last third of this book, in which he discusses the Amarna period, he uses a clearly negative undertone with regard to Akhenaten and his surroundings. Reeves speaks of a dictatorial and tyrannical regime (as if his predecessors and successors were soft heartened), even suggesting that the pharaoh suffered from a syndrome (Marfan's syndrome) to portray him as a dangerous madman. Strange.
I am, of course, not in a position to pass a thorough judgment on the figure of Akhenaten and the Amarna period. But I still want to point out a few inconsistencies in Reeves argument. For example, I see that other, respected colleagues of Reeves not go along with what you can safely call his "character assassination". They agree that Akhenaten's policy and actions were curious and atypical, but they underline that we really have too little hard evidence to explain for sure what was going on. Theories and possible explanations abound, and they are useful if they are formulated and handled with care. But Reeves clearly doesn't. Moreover, in this book only very limited material is provided to illustrate Akhenaten's "misdeeds", and even then that material is open to various interpretations. For example, the fact that little statues of the old gods have been found in ordinary houses in the newly built capital of Amarna has been interpreted as acts of resistance to the cult of the sun disk imposed by Akhenaten, but you can also interpret them as a sign of tolerance by the pharaoh.
So it seems that Reeves started from the preconceived notion that Akhenaten was a 'false' prophet, completely in line with the successors of this pharaoh (incidentally, most of them hard-line army leaders) who subsequently denounced him, and for decades waged a propaganda war against his memory. Maybe the author has identified himself with what stands for classic Egyptian values and traditions, as if this civilization didn’t evolve through more than 2 millennia. Strange that a renowned Egyptologist chooses sides so clearly, while so many uncertainties remain.
That is not to say that this booklet is not valuable, on the contrary, it contains a wealth of information that clearly illustrates the time period in question (the 15th and 14th centuries bce). But a little more reserve could have helped its credibility.
And yet Reeves has given his book a title in which he portrays the notorious pharaoh Akhenaten as a false prophet. And in the last third of this book, in which he discusses the Amarna period, he uses a clearly negative undertone with regard to Akhenaten and his surroundings. Reeves speaks of a dictatorial and tyrannical regime (as if his predecessors and successors were soft heartened), even suggesting that the pharaoh suffered from a syndrome (Marfan's syndrome) to portray him as a dangerous madman. Strange.
I am, of course, not in a position to pass a thorough judgment on the figure of Akhenaten and the Amarna period. But I still want to point out a few inconsistencies in Reeves argument. For example, I see that other, respected colleagues of Reeves not go along with what you can safely call his "character assassination". They agree that Akhenaten's policy and actions were curious and atypical, but they underline that we really have too little hard evidence to explain for sure what was going on. Theories and possible explanations abound, and they are useful if they are formulated and handled with care. But Reeves clearly doesn't. Moreover, in this book only very limited material is provided to illustrate Akhenaten's "misdeeds", and even then that material is open to various interpretations. For example, the fact that little statues of the old gods have been found in ordinary houses in the newly built capital of Amarna has been interpreted as acts of resistance to the cult of the sun disk imposed by Akhenaten, but you can also interpret them as a sign of tolerance by the pharaoh.
So it seems that Reeves started from the preconceived notion that Akhenaten was a 'false' prophet, completely in line with the successors of this pharaoh (incidentally, most of them hard-line army leaders) who subsequently denounced him, and for decades waged a propaganda war against his memory. Maybe the author has identified himself with what stands for classic Egyptian values and traditions, as if this civilization didn’t evolve through more than 2 millennia. Strange that a renowned Egyptologist chooses sides so clearly, while so many uncertainties remain.
That is not to say that this booklet is not valuable, on the contrary, it contains a wealth of information that clearly illustrates the time period in question (the 15th and 14th centuries bce). But a little more reserve could have helped its credibility.
May 7, 2012
This review is going to be long and probably has a "my feelings, let me show you them" vibe. Sorry.
The short version is that while an accessible book, this book does have a number of drawbacks. Namely, Reeves presents certain sensationalist theories as conclusive, when they're anything but.
Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet is an easy to read book. Reeves writes well for the general public, and the book is beautifully presented with lots of illustrations and photos, though the vast majority are in black and white.
This is not the book to read if you think Akhenaten was an enlightened, sensitive man who was cruelly misunderstood. It's one of the most honest, and, in my opinion, one of the most fair accounts of Akhenaten's reign and revolution. It presents the negative aspects of Akhenaten's reign (of which there are many) as well as arguing that there was a valid reason behind Akhenaten's actions. Reeves's Akhenaten is dangerous, inept and perhaps fanatical, but he's also a more understandable figure. He's not "mad" or insane and Reeves is quick to highlight the good aspects of Akhenaten's reign.
However, Reeves also shows a taste for the more sensationalist and perhaps more Hollywood-friendly side of Egyptology. Reeves argues in support of many controversial theories – I would say that Reeves hasn't met one he doesn't like, but he doesn't appear to be fond of the "gay Akhenaten" theory. Fair enough, there is no real evidence that Akhenaten and Smenkhkare were lovers, and it would get in the way of Reeves's Nefertiti theory.
Some of Reeves's theories include father/daughter incest, multiple suggestions of assassination (Tutankhamun, Kiya and Akhenaten), Nefertiti-as-Smenkhkare, Kiya in disgrace, the KV55 mummy being Akhenaten, Queen Tiye's father, Yuya, being incredibly influential, and the dangerously powerful Amun priesthood.
Some of these things have been debunked since this book was published. The majority remain uncertain (and yes, that includes the identity of KV55, which is still being fiercely debated by Egyptologists). Reeves's theories could be true, and just as easily could not be true.
If you want to read a more balanced account of Nefertiti's life and times, pick up Joyce Tyldesley's book on Egypt's infamous queen – though you may want to wait as I think her next book is also about Nefertiti. If you want to explore the Amarna succession, try Aidan Dodson's Amarna Sunset. While both are decisive, they are more balanced than Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet.
One of the things I absolutely have to mention is Reeves's discussion of Hatshepsut, as off-topic as it sounds. Hatshepsut is over a century before Akhenaten's reign, what could she possibly have to do with the Amarna period?
Well, you see, if she hadn't been so power-hungry, the Amun priesthood would never have grown so powerful and threatening to the kings. You see, she had to make deals to get her hands on the double-crown, and that involved promoting the high priests of Amun into high-ranking government positions.
Ugh.
And as soon as Thutmose III got into power, he spent most of his reign trying to fix what Hatshepsut had done. He also spends decades fighting to secure his own succession and to prevent anyone else was going to "pull a Hatshepsut". 20 years after Aunty Hatshepsut has died, he then feels safe enough to order the destruction of her monuments, attacking her memory and soul. Despite this, he doesn't attempt to move his mortuary temple away from hers, and (from memory) he doesn't deface the depictions of Hatshepsut in her traditional female roles.
The next three kings between Thutmose III and Akhenaten are all trying to redress the balance until Akhenaten becomes king and a little too over-enthusiastic. If only that darn woman had stayed in her place...
To me, this all seems frankly ludicrous and deserving of three letters: W. T. F.
If you are thinking of reading of Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet, keep a salt shaker to hand. You'll need it for all the grains of salt to go with Reeves's comments.
The short version is that while an accessible book, this book does have a number of drawbacks. Namely, Reeves presents certain sensationalist theories as conclusive, when they're anything but.
Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet is an easy to read book. Reeves writes well for the general public, and the book is beautifully presented with lots of illustrations and photos, though the vast majority are in black and white.
This is not the book to read if you think Akhenaten was an enlightened, sensitive man who was cruelly misunderstood. It's one of the most honest, and, in my opinion, one of the most fair accounts of Akhenaten's reign and revolution. It presents the negative aspects of Akhenaten's reign (of which there are many) as well as arguing that there was a valid reason behind Akhenaten's actions. Reeves's Akhenaten is dangerous, inept and perhaps fanatical, but he's also a more understandable figure. He's not "mad" or insane and Reeves is quick to highlight the good aspects of Akhenaten's reign.
However, Reeves also shows a taste for the more sensationalist and perhaps more Hollywood-friendly side of Egyptology. Reeves argues in support of many controversial theories – I would say that Reeves hasn't met one he doesn't like, but he doesn't appear to be fond of the "gay Akhenaten" theory. Fair enough, there is no real evidence that Akhenaten and Smenkhkare were lovers, and it would get in the way of Reeves's Nefertiti theory.
Some of Reeves's theories include father/daughter incest, multiple suggestions of assassination (Tutankhamun, Kiya and Akhenaten), Nefertiti-as-Smenkhkare, Kiya in disgrace, the KV55 mummy being Akhenaten, Queen Tiye's father, Yuya, being incredibly influential, and the dangerously powerful Amun priesthood.
Some of these things have been debunked since this book was published. The majority remain uncertain (and yes, that includes the identity of KV55, which is still being fiercely debated by Egyptologists). Reeves's theories could be true, and just as easily could not be true.
If you want to read a more balanced account of Nefertiti's life and times, pick up Joyce Tyldesley's book on Egypt's infamous queen – though you may want to wait as I think her next book is also about Nefertiti. If you want to explore the Amarna succession, try Aidan Dodson's Amarna Sunset. While both are decisive, they are more balanced than Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet.
One of the things I absolutely have to mention is Reeves's discussion of Hatshepsut, as off-topic as it sounds. Hatshepsut is over a century before Akhenaten's reign, what could she possibly have to do with the Amarna period?
Well, you see, if she hadn't been so power-hungry, the Amun priesthood would never have grown so powerful and threatening to the kings. You see, she had to make deals to get her hands on the double-crown, and that involved promoting the high priests of Amun into high-ranking government positions.
Ugh.
And as soon as Thutmose III got into power, he spent most of his reign trying to fix what Hatshepsut had done. He also spends decades fighting to secure his own succession and to prevent anyone else was going to "pull a Hatshepsut". 20 years after Aunty Hatshepsut has died, he then feels safe enough to order the destruction of her monuments, attacking her memory and soul. Despite this, he doesn't attempt to move his mortuary temple away from hers, and (from memory) he doesn't deface the depictions of Hatshepsut in her traditional female roles.
The next three kings between Thutmose III and Akhenaten are all trying to redress the balance until Akhenaten becomes king and a little too over-enthusiastic. If only that darn woman had stayed in her place...
To me, this all seems frankly ludicrous and deserving of three letters: W. T. F.
If you are thinking of reading of Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet, keep a salt shaker to hand. You'll need it for all the grains of salt to go with Reeves's comments.
March 9, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I thought it was well written for regular people who love to read about Ancient Egypt, it felt a little pushy to me. There were times when I had the feeling that the author wrote the book to push his ideas out into the general public rather than tell the facts as were. Occasionally I felt as if the history that was being revealed was more like setting a plot for storytelling, where some things seemed completely irrelevant to the subject matter, until you realized the events were the supposed reason someone behaved the way they did later on in Egypt's history.
There are many photos within these pages and I enjoyed every one of them. Most are in black and white, but they are clear enough that you don't feel as if you have been ripped off in some way by not having the color to accompany them and give you the full experience of the artifact.
I got this book because I love to read new theories about Akhenaten and Aketaten, however I felt as if this more pushed an agenda than told the history in a neutral sort of way. There were times when I wondered at the theory behind some of the "revolutionary" ideas, but there were a few times when I realized that something actually made sense. I wouldn't say that this was a book of fact as much as a book of opinion about facts. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't suggest it for research.
There are many photos within these pages and I enjoyed every one of them. Most are in black and white, but they are clear enough that you don't feel as if you have been ripped off in some way by not having the color to accompany them and give you the full experience of the artifact.
I got this book because I love to read new theories about Akhenaten and Aketaten, however I felt as if this more pushed an agenda than told the history in a neutral sort of way. There were times when I wondered at the theory behind some of the "revolutionary" ideas, but there were a few times when I realized that something actually made sense. I wouldn't say that this was a book of fact as much as a book of opinion about facts. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't suggest it for research.
September 9, 2020
A quick read, but most enjoyable! This is a foray into the history of ancient Egypt, an area of history I must confess I know little about. And so coming into this book with almost a blank slate, I had no expectations...but came away most satisfied and now eager to learn more about the Egypt of long ago. Of course, I love reading historical works in general, but this book is more than just a mere history. As the events portrayed in this work took place more than 3000 years ago, the facts are fuzzy and the details are dim. We only know what we know because of the various archaeological discoveries made in the last few hundred years...and even those discoveries only hint at the true tapestry of the events of these ancient days. So this book is not just a straight forward historical re-telling, but is a wonderfully fascinating look into the ardent archaeological and detective work that goes into the attempt to understand the personages and history of Egypt of long ago. This book has numerous pictures of the statutes, steles and inscribings that have survived the passages of the years and explains what they mean and how they can be interpreted in light of other discoveries. The author is not overly dogmatic, but he definitely has his preferred views and he attempts to defend those views from the evidence at hand. As a novice in the field of Egyptology, I cannot make any claims to know better than the author, so I simply drank in his narrative and heartily appreciated the pains he took to properly explain his views on the titular subject. And speaking of. I haven't even mentioned Akhenaten yet! Many may not have heard of him - he is the father (most likely) of the much more famous "King Tut", but his life as presented in this historical account is one that is incredibly interesting. Akhenaten is best known for his attempt (and short-lasting success) to change the worship of Egypt from the gods of old to a single ascendant god - the Aten. And as part of this transition, Akhenaten founded a new capitol city, complete with all the massive building projects and splendor that we associate with ancient Egypt. This book describes in detail the archaeological discoveries of el-Amarna and how they tell the story of the heretic king Akhenaten. I could go on and on, but this review is long enough as it is. It's very readable and I was surprised by how quickly I devoured it, so sucked into the narrative was I. Akhenaten was a figure that clearly implemented rapid changes into the worship structure of ancient Egypt...and after his death, the land quickly reverted to its favoured gods of old. Soon enough, most records of Akhenaten and his royal family were obliterated from the official records and simply...not mentioned again, so horrific were his crimes in the eyes of many. What is the real story? Again, these events took place so long ago, that I fear we are missing so many crucial pieces to the puzzle, but Reeves does tell a plausible tale with the evidence at hand. Akhentanen and his royal wife (and likely later co-regent) Nefertiti ruled supreme for a time. Now the memories of them are faded and dim, crumbling like the city that they once built and ruled. But still, it is fascinating to think that they did live...they ate, talked, danced, and walked the streets of ancient Thebes and el-Amarna, with the sun shining down on them in all its splendour.
April 12, 2022
Akhenaten has to be one of the most fascinating characters in Egyptian history and the deliberate destruction of much the documentation of his historical legacy by subsequent Pharaohs often leaves the Amarna period open to the wildest of speculations. Nicholas Reeves presents a wealth of information in this book, often including many quotes from original sources and photos of original art work so that the readers can judge some of his conclusions for themselves.
The book is carefully researched and the general argument that Akhenaten used his religious beliefs to legitimate his power is well supported by the evidence quoted. This does not of course preclude the notion that Akhenaten was sincere in his beliefs and Reeves does not suggest this. In fact it seems far from illogical that a ruler of ancient Egypt could have believed he was the son of god.
Many of the conundrums of Amarna history are argued in a very balanced way in the book. Reeves effectively debunks the theories that Akhenaten was homosexual or that his appearance in statuary was due to Froehlich's syndrome. He provides interesting evidence in relation to suggestions that Akhenaten may or may not have suffered from Marfan's syndrome and that Nerfertiti may or may not have been promoted to the status of co-regent. At times, however, Reeves takes fairly extreme positions based on somewhat flimsy evidence. He claims that Akhenaten's 'dictatorial rule' led Egypt to the 'brink of disaster', that Akhenaten's rule involved 'wanton destruction' and 'deliberate neglect'. He describes the later years of Amarna as a 'terror' and suggests that Pharaoh's lover Kiya had an evil personality and may have been pulling strings behind the scene. These extreme positions are supported with arguments based on evidence where the author and purpose of the documents quoted is often ignored. One document marshalled in favor of the sorry state Egypt had descended into was written by a priest of Amun, who would obviously have had a significantly biased agenda.
Overall though, the book is extremely readable and paints a fascinating picture of power politics in Egypt, where priests, generals and the Pharoah himself vie for power and influence in a manner so typical of politics throughout the history of mankind that it certainly rings true.
The book is carefully researched and the general argument that Akhenaten used his religious beliefs to legitimate his power is well supported by the evidence quoted. This does not of course preclude the notion that Akhenaten was sincere in his beliefs and Reeves does not suggest this. In fact it seems far from illogical that a ruler of ancient Egypt could have believed he was the son of god.
Many of the conundrums of Amarna history are argued in a very balanced way in the book. Reeves effectively debunks the theories that Akhenaten was homosexual or that his appearance in statuary was due to Froehlich's syndrome. He provides interesting evidence in relation to suggestions that Akhenaten may or may not have suffered from Marfan's syndrome and that Nerfertiti may or may not have been promoted to the status of co-regent. At times, however, Reeves takes fairly extreme positions based on somewhat flimsy evidence. He claims that Akhenaten's 'dictatorial rule' led Egypt to the 'brink of disaster', that Akhenaten's rule involved 'wanton destruction' and 'deliberate neglect'. He describes the later years of Amarna as a 'terror' and suggests that Pharaoh's lover Kiya had an evil personality and may have been pulling strings behind the scene. These extreme positions are supported with arguments based on evidence where the author and purpose of the documents quoted is often ignored. One document marshalled in favor of the sorry state Egypt had descended into was written by a priest of Amun, who would obviously have had a significantly biased agenda.
Overall though, the book is extremely readable and paints a fascinating picture of power politics in Egypt, where priests, generals and the Pharoah himself vie for power and influence in a manner so typical of politics throughout the history of mankind that it certainly rings true.
January 28, 2019
An entertaining, scholarly reconstruction of the mysterious events of the Armana period. Having studied this subject fairly in depth, I find that Reeves' scholarship is quite sound, and he paints a fair portrait of the period, even though we will never know all the details for sure.
January 6, 2024
Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet"
By Nicholas Reeves
Reviewed January 6, 2024
I was introduced to Akhenaten and the Amarna Revolution before I was in high school, thanks to one of the earliest exhibits of treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb back around 1968, and my mother (who also was hooked) encouraging me to read “adult” books about Ancient Egypt.
Over the years, I’ve read about Akhenaten as just about everything you can imagine – an idealist, a revolutionary, a forerunner of Christ, a megalomaniac, and almost everything in between. So a new book portraying Akhenaten as a ruthless dictator sounded interesting, especially with the new archaeology going on at the common graves at Amarna, showing a people who in many instances were literally worked to death, a people who lived in poverty, who suffered malnutrition, and with a very high death rate among the youngest.
In the first half of the book, Reeves shows the evolution of the Amarna cult. We start back several generations, to Hatshepsut, the spouse of Pharaoh Thutmose II. When her husband died, she first ruled as regent for the minor-aged heir (Thutmose III), then as queen regnant, and finally maneuvering with the help of the powerful Amun priesthood in Thebes to be named Pharaoh. Though she had a long and prosperous reign, the pharaohs who followed her did their best to rein in what they saw as a threat to their power, those same priests of Amun.
Reeves documents these events by presenting us with documentation which in Egypt would be found in monumental inscriptions, grafitto, temples, and tombs, showing that subsequent pharaohs were elevating another god, the Aten, to vie for religious supremacy, perhaps one of the earliest known uses of religion in a blatantly political way.
As we get deeper into the reigns of Amenhotep III (sometimes referred to as Amenhotep the Magnificent), the stage is set for the appearance of Akhenaten.
Akhenaten was not originally the heir apparent; that would have been a prince named Thutmose (like his grandfather and great-grandfather), but he pre-deceased his father, making a younger brother who was at the time named Amenhotep (like his father) the heir. For a short while, Amenhotep III and his son, now called Amenhotep IV, reigned together in a co-regency, a system set to ensure the smooth transition of power. But when Amenhotep III died, things changed, and not long after that event, Amenhotep IV, whose name means "Amun is Satisfied", changed his name to Akhenaten, which means "Beneficial to Aten".
I won’t go into detail about what took place next, because that’s what reading the book is for, but will say that Reeves gives us a new take on the chaotic and sometimes confusing events of Akhenaten’s reign. Instead of a visionary who, according to some, introduced monotheism to the world and maybe (also according to some) influenced Moses, we have a cynic who attempted to reassert the authority of pharaoh that had been worn away over the years, and used religion for political gain and wrest power away from the Theban priesthood and make pharaohs all-powerful, as they had been in ages past.
In his book, Reeves gives us a predator who released a reign of terror. Akhenaten has himself depicted on temple walls in scenes of family intimacy, bathed in the beneficial rays of the Aten, in what is not so much a religion as it is a cult of personality, and Reeves sees him as little more than a dictator, not all that different from later men like Hitler and Stalin.
Reeves also gives us his view on what he believes happened to other major players, such as the beautiful Queen Nefertiti (she survived her husband, changed her name, and tried to seize the throne for herself similar to Hatshepsut all those years before). As for Tutankhamun (originally born Tutankhuaten), his early death was anything but natural causes. He also provides a new take on such questions as, whose body was found in Tomb KV 55? Who was Smenkhare – Akhenaten's brother? A son? Did Akhenaten really engage in incestuous relationships with one or more of his daughters?
Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Pharaoh is, as another reviewer described it, a “detective story full of hidden clues (and bodies), magic geometry and ruthlessness masked as mysticism” (D. J. R. Bruckner in a New York Times review). Even if you don’t agree with Nicholas Reeves, the book is extremely readable and entertaining.
By Nicholas Reeves
Reviewed January 6, 2024
I was introduced to Akhenaten and the Amarna Revolution before I was in high school, thanks to one of the earliest exhibits of treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb back around 1968, and my mother (who also was hooked) encouraging me to read “adult” books about Ancient Egypt.
Over the years, I’ve read about Akhenaten as just about everything you can imagine – an idealist, a revolutionary, a forerunner of Christ, a megalomaniac, and almost everything in between. So a new book portraying Akhenaten as a ruthless dictator sounded interesting, especially with the new archaeology going on at the common graves at Amarna, showing a people who in many instances were literally worked to death, a people who lived in poverty, who suffered malnutrition, and with a very high death rate among the youngest.
In the first half of the book, Reeves shows the evolution of the Amarna cult. We start back several generations, to Hatshepsut, the spouse of Pharaoh Thutmose II. When her husband died, she first ruled as regent for the minor-aged heir (Thutmose III), then as queen regnant, and finally maneuvering with the help of the powerful Amun priesthood in Thebes to be named Pharaoh. Though she had a long and prosperous reign, the pharaohs who followed her did their best to rein in what they saw as a threat to their power, those same priests of Amun.
Reeves documents these events by presenting us with documentation which in Egypt would be found in monumental inscriptions, grafitto, temples, and tombs, showing that subsequent pharaohs were elevating another god, the Aten, to vie for religious supremacy, perhaps one of the earliest known uses of religion in a blatantly political way.
As we get deeper into the reigns of Amenhotep III (sometimes referred to as Amenhotep the Magnificent), the stage is set for the appearance of Akhenaten.
Akhenaten was not originally the heir apparent; that would have been a prince named Thutmose (like his grandfather and great-grandfather), but he pre-deceased his father, making a younger brother who was at the time named Amenhotep (like his father) the heir. For a short while, Amenhotep III and his son, now called Amenhotep IV, reigned together in a co-regency, a system set to ensure the smooth transition of power. But when Amenhotep III died, things changed, and not long after that event, Amenhotep IV, whose name means "Amun is Satisfied", changed his name to Akhenaten, which means "Beneficial to Aten".
I won’t go into detail about what took place next, because that’s what reading the book is for, but will say that Reeves gives us a new take on the chaotic and sometimes confusing events of Akhenaten’s reign. Instead of a visionary who, according to some, introduced monotheism to the world and maybe (also according to some) influenced Moses, we have a cynic who attempted to reassert the authority of pharaoh that had been worn away over the years, and used religion for political gain and wrest power away from the Theban priesthood and make pharaohs all-powerful, as they had been in ages past.
In his book, Reeves gives us a predator who released a reign of terror. Akhenaten has himself depicted on temple walls in scenes of family intimacy, bathed in the beneficial rays of the Aten, in what is not so much a religion as it is a cult of personality, and Reeves sees him as little more than a dictator, not all that different from later men like Hitler and Stalin.
Reeves also gives us his view on what he believes happened to other major players, such as the beautiful Queen Nefertiti (she survived her husband, changed her name, and tried to seize the throne for herself similar to Hatshepsut all those years before). As for Tutankhamun (originally born Tutankhuaten), his early death was anything but natural causes. He also provides a new take on such questions as, whose body was found in Tomb KV 55? Who was Smenkhare – Akhenaten's brother? A son? Did Akhenaten really engage in incestuous relationships with one or more of his daughters?
Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Pharaoh is, as another reviewer described it, a “detective story full of hidden clues (and bodies), magic geometry and ruthlessness masked as mysticism” (D. J. R. Bruckner in a New York Times review). Even if you don’t agree with Nicholas Reeves, the book is extremely readable and entertaining.
April 23, 2021
I have had this book on my shelf for a very long time; I bought it for a dollar at my library back in the days when libraries were open. Anyways.
A bit dense at times, over-saturated with names, but overall, well done. I did skim some chapters that I didn't care about, such as the entire chapter on the city Akhenaten, and other areas but overall still enjoyed this. It doesn't get too bogged down and does a fairly good job explaining things, though I do wish some of the customs had been better explained. There was quite a bit of build up of the Amarna period to give context, meaning it wasn't until nearly halfway through that we really get to learn about Akhenaten himself. I'd have preferred some of the history before hand but shortened so we could learn more about Akhenaten, but I did still enjoy that first part, as Reeves did touch on figures such as Hatshepsut, the many Thutmose's, and Amenhotep's who are all interesting in their own right. Reeves does a great job pulling from primary sources and the Egyptologists back in the day without giving in to too much speculation. What speculation he does offer he also follows up with evidence and acknowledges it might not be the case, but here's the evidence we have (or had, seeing as this is 20 yeas old now). Also really loved the inclusion of full color images of various mentioned artifacts. Now I'm no Egyptologist, I just read this stuff for fun, so I can't quite say how accurate it is but it seems fairly accurate from the little I know.
Would I recommend this to somebody who knows nothing about Ancient Egypt? No. This is more intermediary, I think. Not too advanced, but definitely not an intro. Maybe an intro to Akhenaten himself, but Reeves does write assuming the reader is going to know a bit about Ancient Egypt.
A bit dense at times, over-saturated with names, but overall, well done. I did skim some chapters that I didn't care about, such as the entire chapter on the city Akhenaten, and other areas but overall still enjoyed this. It doesn't get too bogged down and does a fairly good job explaining things, though I do wish some of the customs had been better explained. There was quite a bit of build up of the Amarna period to give context, meaning it wasn't until nearly halfway through that we really get to learn about Akhenaten himself. I'd have preferred some of the history before hand but shortened so we could learn more about Akhenaten, but I did still enjoy that first part, as Reeves did touch on figures such as Hatshepsut, the many Thutmose's, and Amenhotep's who are all interesting in their own right. Reeves does a great job pulling from primary sources and the Egyptologists back in the day without giving in to too much speculation. What speculation he does offer he also follows up with evidence and acknowledges it might not be the case, but here's the evidence we have (or had, seeing as this is 20 yeas old now). Also really loved the inclusion of full color images of various mentioned artifacts. Now I'm no Egyptologist, I just read this stuff for fun, so I can't quite say how accurate it is but it seems fairly accurate from the little I know.
Would I recommend this to somebody who knows nothing about Ancient Egypt? No. This is more intermediary, I think. Not too advanced, but definitely not an intro. Maybe an intro to Akhenaten himself, but Reeves does write assuming the reader is going to know a bit about Ancient Egypt.
March 10, 2020
I am so mad at this book.
Read
June 28, 2020A very good and interesting book on the pharoah Akhenaten, the father of the famous boy-king Tutankhamen; who ruled from 1353 to 1335 BC(E), instituted monotheistic worship of a sun god and very nearly destroyed Egypt.
July 28, 2013
I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all, it claims to be a "revolutionary interpretation of a revolutionary king" right on the back cover. But frankly, after having read it, I don't see anything revolutionary about it - any educated person with a basic understanding of ancient Egyptian history knows that Akhenaten's religious revolution was more for political reasons than religious, and knows better than to tout this king as an "early revealer of religious truth" - even in the predominantly monotheistic culture we live in. Sorry, Nicholas Reeves - but nice try. I will say it did hook me when I saw this on the library shelf, but I don't think it lives up to your description.
Second, it took half of the book to even really get to Akhenaten and his story. While I do understand the importance in most situations of knowing what leads up to a particular part of history in order to understand it, I do not see a great significance here - the transition to el-Amarna is historically very abrupt and kind of came out of nowhere. So knowing deeply the ideas Akhenaten was indoctrinated with specifically and chose to ignore don't really, in my opinion, add to his story. And when you consider the fact that the first half of this book reads very slowly, you have a very poor justification for all of the extra background information we are given about the predecessors of the books' main subject.
But the second half of the book read wonderfully, and I learned a lot of interesting things about Akhenaten, his family, and the history behind his legacy as a crazy attempt to fundamentally change Egyptian society. I first became interested in Akhenaten's story when I read Flower on the Nile by Doris Auger Davis when I was eleven, but hadn't gotten the chance to really delve into any non-fiction on it until now. Not sure if the book's power holds up to me now, as a young adult, but I do strongly recommend that one based on my recollections. When I get the chance to re-read it, I will review it here as well.
In all, I'm not sure that I would recommend this book unless you have a strong interest in ancient Egyptian history as I personally do. But the book is not exactly an accessible and interesting introduction to the subject unless you skip straight to the second half of the book - which is not something I would ever do, being the obsessive compulsive person that I am. But if that's your cup of tea, that's my advice on this book.
Second, it took half of the book to even really get to Akhenaten and his story. While I do understand the importance in most situations of knowing what leads up to a particular part of history in order to understand it, I do not see a great significance here - the transition to el-Amarna is historically very abrupt and kind of came out of nowhere. So knowing deeply the ideas Akhenaten was indoctrinated with specifically and chose to ignore don't really, in my opinion, add to his story. And when you consider the fact that the first half of this book reads very slowly, you have a very poor justification for all of the extra background information we are given about the predecessors of the books' main subject.
But the second half of the book read wonderfully, and I learned a lot of interesting things about Akhenaten, his family, and the history behind his legacy as a crazy attempt to fundamentally change Egyptian society. I first became interested in Akhenaten's story when I read Flower on the Nile by Doris Auger Davis when I was eleven, but hadn't gotten the chance to really delve into any non-fiction on it until now. Not sure if the book's power holds up to me now, as a young adult, but I do strongly recommend that one based on my recollections. When I get the chance to re-read it, I will review it here as well.
In all, I'm not sure that I would recommend this book unless you have a strong interest in ancient Egyptian history as I personally do. But the book is not exactly an accessible and interesting introduction to the subject unless you skip straight to the second half of the book - which is not something I would ever do, being the obsessive compulsive person that I am. But if that's your cup of tea, that's my advice on this book.
September 24, 2019
The subject of Reeves' book is Akhenaten; a Pharoah who attempted to remake Egyptian society from country where a host of gods and idols were worshipped to a monothiestic society which recognized only one god: the Aten, or sun disc.
Reeves looks further back than most other authors for the origins of the Aten cult, seeing not just the trend of a priesthood that was becoming more and more politically powerful but also in other events during the 17th and 18th Dynasties which might have effected Akenaten's thinking. Reeves also discusses archeological proof as he tells the story (as it is known) and writes about different theories to explain this or that. Reeves does NOT fall into the trap of discussing the Aten cult as predecessor or influence on Judaism, which has become fashionable as of late. Overall, a good book.
Reeves looks further back than most other authors for the origins of the Aten cult, seeing not just the trend of a priesthood that was becoming more and more politically powerful but also in other events during the 17th and 18th Dynasties which might have effected Akenaten's thinking. Reeves also discusses archeological proof as he tells the story (as it is known) and writes about different theories to explain this or that. Reeves does NOT fall into the trap of discussing the Aten cult as predecessor or influence on Judaism, which has become fashionable as of late. Overall, a good book.
August 31, 2016
I was going to write a review but when I saw Lisa's below I realized she said everything I would have. Except I do want to add that I have had this book on my TBR pile for as long as it's been published and finally read it because if Reeve's theory on Tut's tomb. I wanted to see if there was any background that he had laid in this book. I guess I see where he is coming from on the Nefertiti/Smenkare theories. I can buy some of it but not all of it. I don't really think Nefertiti is in Tut's tomb but I am open to something back there
As far as this book I was disappointed in many of the unfounded conclusions he came up with based on very little evidence or only opinion. Many time it felt like circular reasoning. Those Amarnaphiles who read this will be disappointed I fear.
As far as this book I was disappointed in many of the unfounded conclusions he came up with based on very little evidence or only opinion. Many time it felt like circular reasoning. Those Amarnaphiles who read this will be disappointed I fear.
July 16, 2019
Almost perfectly blends the line between fact and fiction. From the basis of archeological evidence, Reeves guides you through the narrative of this tumultuous period of history.
While he is sometimes quite good at leaving gaps in chronology, throwing up his hands and saying “We simply don’t know”, there are times where it seems like his speculation gets portrayed as fact. A few more disclaimers would have made this book perfect.
While he is sometimes quite good at leaving gaps in chronology, throwing up his hands and saying “We simply don’t know”, there are times where it seems like his speculation gets portrayed as fact. A few more disclaimers would have made this book perfect.
December 18, 2019
The story of Akhenaten is a fascinating one, rife with mystery and contradictions. Reeves' tome is well-researched and documented. The story of Akhenaten has only recently been explored. Because of his extreme beliefs and politics, much of his reign, and in fact existence, has been erased. This adds great challenges (and opportunities for pet theories to be put into place.) Still, it is an interesting story and worth a look for any Egyptophile.
November 23, 2020
I wanted to enjoy this but I found myself having to fight to finish it. I found it to be oddly organized and had a choppy flow. I found some chapters were drowning in naming stones, passages, and tombs that it became very hard to keep track while absorbing the author's point. Also far too many lengthy quotes for my liking.
January 29, 2023
For a long time I’ve been fascinated with the reign of Amenhotep IV/ Akhenaten, and this book is a bestseller in works related to the Amarna period. Reeves’ work provides a solid overview of the Amarna period. The period is contextualised by recounting the reigns of Pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Amenhotep III, and exploring the important role played by the Amun priesthood in the reigns of Akhenaten’s predecessors. Akhenaten’s ‘religious’ reforms are then examined in the backdrop and context of political power struggles between the throne and the priesthood of Thebes (think of them like the Rothschild family). Reeves spends quite a lot of necessary time examining the archaeological record for the period, discussing both the history of Amarna/Akhetaten and the history of archaeological works on the site. A historical survey of the reigns of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Tutankhamen are provided, with various themes explored including: the role of royal women, the mysterious queen Kiya, Akhenaten’s curious appearance on monuments, the King’s burial, examining how thorough the reforms were, the impact of the reforms on ordinary citizenry, and of most particular interest to myself was Akhenaten’s own self representation.
In this work, Reeves presents a very compelling portrait of an ancient ruler cut in the cloth of many modern dictators. The king controlled how his own image was portrayed to the people, ensured compliance with his regime by maintaining strong relations with the army and its leadership, orchestrated political coups against opponents, and ostensibly had an outsized sexual appetite that included his own offspring.
For a general overview of the period which is accessible to the general reader, and not packed with academic jargon or written in other languages (many works on the period are written by German scholars), this book is highly recommended, and at a little over 200 pages it is a concise introduction to Akhenaten and his age.
In this work, Reeves presents a very compelling portrait of an ancient ruler cut in the cloth of many modern dictators. The king controlled how his own image was portrayed to the people, ensured compliance with his regime by maintaining strong relations with the army and its leadership, orchestrated political coups against opponents, and ostensibly had an outsized sexual appetite that included his own offspring.
For a general overview of the period which is accessible to the general reader, and not packed with academic jargon or written in other languages (many works on the period are written by German scholars), this book is highly recommended, and at a little over 200 pages it is a concise introduction to Akhenaten and his age.
April 27, 2022
- Book Review: "Ahkenaten: Egypt's False Prophet" by Nicholas Reeves - 📚▵
Renowned Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves brings to the fore one of the most enigmatic Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
Born Amenhotep IV, he radically changed Egypt's religious establishment from polytheism to monotheism; to the singular worship of the sun disk known as "The Aten".
To reflect this new orientation, Amenhotep IV changed his name to "Akhenaten" (meaning: beneficial to Aten), and this is the name by which he is popularly known in history.
Akhenaten not only changed Egypt's religion, but also it's art. Whereas previously Pharaohs would be depicted in similar rigid unblemished patterns, Akhenaten depicted himself in non-linear and highly distinctive art forms without any kind of embellishment.
Moreover, his depictions included that of his entire family, especially his Queen Nefertiti whom many historians now believe to have been a co-regent in his rule.
The upsetting of the religious order brought resentment from the old priestly establishment, who after the Pharaoh's death sought to erase all trace of his memory.
Akhenaten's son and successor was in fact the famous boy king Tutankhamun, and he reversed a lot of his father's policies and re-established Egyptian polytheism.
Akhenaten's story is one that still has many chapters left to uncover. Did he really look the way he was depicted? Or was it a stylistic choice? Was his new belief just political and self-serving? Or was he driven by a real religious epihany? And if so, what was the cause of his "Road to Damascus" moment?
Such questions only add to the mystery of the Pharaoh who's name could not be buried forever and is only now coming to light in modern times.
As such, the book is rightly deserving of full marks.
My rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Renowned Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves brings to the fore one of the most enigmatic Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
Born Amenhotep IV, he radically changed Egypt's religious establishment from polytheism to monotheism; to the singular worship of the sun disk known as "The Aten".
To reflect this new orientation, Amenhotep IV changed his name to "Akhenaten" (meaning: beneficial to Aten), and this is the name by which he is popularly known in history.
Akhenaten not only changed Egypt's religion, but also it's art. Whereas previously Pharaohs would be depicted in similar rigid unblemished patterns, Akhenaten depicted himself in non-linear and highly distinctive art forms without any kind of embellishment.
Moreover, his depictions included that of his entire family, especially his Queen Nefertiti whom many historians now believe to have been a co-regent in his rule.
The upsetting of the religious order brought resentment from the old priestly establishment, who after the Pharaoh's death sought to erase all trace of his memory.
Akhenaten's son and successor was in fact the famous boy king Tutankhamun, and he reversed a lot of his father's policies and re-established Egyptian polytheism.
Akhenaten's story is one that still has many chapters left to uncover. Did he really look the way he was depicted? Or was it a stylistic choice? Was his new belief just political and self-serving? Or was he driven by a real religious epihany? And if so, what was the cause of his "Road to Damascus" moment?
Such questions only add to the mystery of the Pharaoh who's name could not be buried forever and is only now coming to light in modern times.
As such, the book is rightly deserving of full marks.
My rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 12, 2022
Let me preface this review by saying that I am not an expert on Egyptian history, so while I personally found the book highly enjoyable and quite convincing, I will freely admit that I was not in a position to judge the historical validity of some of the author's interpretations. However, I did find the book a very pleasant read and a very good introduction to some of the current research into one of the most fascinating periods in Egyptian history. While I recognise that some of Reeves' ideas are not generally accepted by most scholars, I still think the book does a good job of presenting facts first and interpretations second, which makes for thought-provoking reading. What I always find fascinating about Ancient Egypt is that it seems to hover in that ill-defined zone between history and archaeology, which means that the two fields are capable of complementing each other without either of them superseding the other in importance. Overall, I would recommend this book to people interested in Ancient Egypt, particularly those who are interested in the politics of the Amarna period.
July 18, 2024
A piece of popular Egyptology. It was OK.
It could be useful for someone who knows nothing of Akhenaten and the Amarna period to at least pique an interest in the topic. Overall, I feel that it serves as a prelude to further reading.
Some beautiful illustrations and plates appear in this book, yet I felt more could have been devoted to the discussion of Amarna art. After all, I think the iconography of the period is what makes it conspicuous to most amateur (and possibly professional) Egyptologists.
If you desire to know more about Akhenaten, this book is not a bad starting point. But it’s also not a good stopping point.
I’ve seen other reviews on here that deride the claims made in the book. I suggest to not look at the book as the ultimate authority on Akhenaten. Whether or not Reeves is correct in his assertions, his book on Egypt’s “False Prophet” can at least be read as the source of one scholar’s interpretation of a fascinating yet mysterious period of Egyptian history.
It could be useful for someone who knows nothing of Akhenaten and the Amarna period to at least pique an interest in the topic. Overall, I feel that it serves as a prelude to further reading.
Some beautiful illustrations and plates appear in this book, yet I felt more could have been devoted to the discussion of Amarna art. After all, I think the iconography of the period is what makes it conspicuous to most amateur (and possibly professional) Egyptologists.
If you desire to know more about Akhenaten, this book is not a bad starting point. But it’s also not a good stopping point.
I’ve seen other reviews on here that deride the claims made in the book. I suggest to not look at the book as the ultimate authority on Akhenaten. Whether or not Reeves is correct in his assertions, his book on Egypt’s “False Prophet” can at least be read as the source of one scholar’s interpretation of a fascinating yet mysterious period of Egyptian history.
May 17, 2024
This book presents Akhenaten's religious reforms as part of the struggle between the pharaohs and the Amun priesthood which had curtailed royal power since its support of Hatshepsut's rise to the throne.
It may been less monotheistic than is usually thought rather being a form of ancestor worship. The pharaohs being subsumed by the Aten at death.
Reeves writes: 'Akhenaten and his family worshipped the Aten, while the populace worshipped them. Whatever pharaoh's personal beliefs - and they remain elusive - Atenism itself was in practice little more than a pragmatic instrument of political control. To quote James Allen again: 'The god of Akhenaten's RELIGION is Akhenaten himself.' ' p 142 -143 (emphasis Reeves's or Allen's).
It is a very readable, fascinating book which sheds light on an important era in history
It may been less monotheistic than is usually thought rather being a form of ancestor worship. The pharaohs being subsumed by the Aten at death.
Reeves writes: 'Akhenaten and his family worshipped the Aten, while the populace worshipped them. Whatever pharaoh's personal beliefs - and they remain elusive - Atenism itself was in practice little more than a pragmatic instrument of political control. To quote James Allen again: 'The god of Akhenaten's RELIGION is Akhenaten himself.' ' p 142 -143 (emphasis Reeves's or Allen's).
It is a very readable, fascinating book which sheds light on an important era in history
January 17, 2022
I guess I misunderstood what this book would be about.
I thought it would be about the interpretation of Akhenaten, how perception of him changed from the 19th Century discovery of his reign to the idea that he was the "father of monotheism" to the view that his reforms were just a power struggle against the priesthood. Indeed, the first chapter of this book seemed to promise something like that.
Instead, this book turned out to be a very detailed discussion of various tombs and inscriptions and largely avoided the controversies about the meaning of Akhenaten, except for discussing several ideas about his physical body.
Ultimately, I felt this book was intended for people who have taken several classes in archeology and Egyptology and was not for the general reader.
I thought it would be about the interpretation of Akhenaten, how perception of him changed from the 19th Century discovery of his reign to the idea that he was the "father of monotheism" to the view that his reforms were just a power struggle against the priesthood. Indeed, the first chapter of this book seemed to promise something like that.
Instead, this book turned out to be a very detailed discussion of various tombs and inscriptions and largely avoided the controversies about the meaning of Akhenaten, except for discussing several ideas about his physical body.
Ultimately, I felt this book was intended for people who have taken several classes in archeology and Egyptology and was not for the general reader.
April 11, 2023
Too much Hatshepsut slander. Author assumes that the priests of Amun used her (She was a predecessor to Akhenaten and may be a reason he went towards Aten and not Amun) for power rather than her using the priests of Amun to help prop her up as a rare female ruler. Assumes Hatshepsut was dumb and easily led by others with not much real evidence in the archaeological record. I don't agree with reviewers who say the book is dense-I think it's quite a good read for people interested in Egyptology. I think he gives fair time to older theories on Akhenaten himself and why they are either debunked or have held up as more true. As a fellow anthropologist and archeologist, I just don't like the way he pulls his opinion of Hatshepsut out of the air and states it as fact.
May 21, 2019
An interesting view of Akhenaten, Reeves puts forward some intreguing theories about the dynamic religious shift during Akhenaten's rule. The earlier part of the book does seem to serve out a bit of a bashing to female pharaoh Hatshepsut although Reeves' theory does make a degree of sense, and my Egyptological studies are a little out of date so it may be that I am missing key information that supports his theory. The remainder of the book was interesting and quirky, definately thought provoking, although I'm not sure how much I agree with the overall conclusions it is certainly a different and valid way of interpreting the avilable evidence.
May 4, 2024
Akhenaten has to be one of the most interesting of Egypt's Pharoahs, and Reeves does a decent job at outlining his reign and actions.
As others have said, some of his theories (especially surrounding Hatshepsut and Kiya) seem to ignore evidence that counters his arguments and presents some theories as fact.
Overall, though, as long as you take the book with a pinch of salt (as is the way with much of Egyptian history), then Reeves' novel is a relatively easy read and a good introduction Akhenaten and his Aten-based revolution.
As others have said, some of his theories (especially surrounding Hatshepsut and Kiya) seem to ignore evidence that counters his arguments and presents some theories as fact.
Overall, though, as long as you take the book with a pinch of salt (as is the way with much of Egyptian history), then Reeves' novel is a relatively easy read and a good introduction Akhenaten and his Aten-based revolution.
February 17, 2019
if are interested in the Akhenaten story this a book to read, nevertheless you need to do it with a bit of salt and pepper.
although Reeves doesn't t go all the ancient aliens path on Akhenaten, sometimes he digresses a bit on unsubstantiated theories, and these spots are easy to id.
in the end, the book has a lot of facts, paint a good picture of this pharaoh in an easy to read package
although Reeves doesn't t go all the ancient aliens path on Akhenaten, sometimes he digresses a bit on unsubstantiated theories, and these spots are easy to id.
in the end, the book has a lot of facts, paint a good picture of this pharaoh in an easy to read package
April 20, 2020
Books about ancient Egypt are always hard to read, but they are also very interesting, showing Egyptian life not only in different time, but they actually make you feel like it was a different place. You may be standing on a patch of land treaded over and over by an ancestor who lived not only in a different time, but also in a different land.
August 1, 2022
What little was known about Akhenaten in around 2001 (not much more is known now, but the account of his son’s death here is wrong). Lots of speculation from meager hard evidence. There’s little to learn about his monotheism as it and he were stricken from the historical/dynastic records. A continuing enigma.
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