Author Description

Amenophis IV/Akhenaten, the father-in-law of Tutankhamun, was king of Egypt and her empire for only seventeen years. His worship of the god Aten to the exclusion of other deities, his founding of a new capital city and the distinctive style of the art of his reign have made him a fascinating figure and one of the best known of Egyptian pharaohs. This book surveys Akhenaten's life and times and discusses the reign of his father in which he grew up, his early years as king at Thebes and his later years at Amarna, his new city. There is a section on the royal family and its relationships, including Akhenaten's beautiful queen Nefertiti, their six daughters and other members of the royal household. The religious and artistic aspects of the reign are summarised and Akhenaten's major achievement, the city of Akhetaten, is described. About the author Angela Thomas studied Egyptology at Liverpool University and University College London and holds degrees from both universities. She is now Senior Keeper of Human History at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery. Other titles for Shire by this author are: Egyptian Gods and Myths