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Limestone stela with a seated figure of Akhenaten, Egypt, 18th Dynasty, c1340 BC
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Limestone stela with a seated figure of Akhenaten, Egypt, 18th Dynasty, c1340 BC
Detail of limestone stela with a seated figure of Akhenaten, probably from Amarna, Egypt, 18th Dynasty, c1340 BC. This limestone stela illustrates the shift in religious beliefs and artistic syle during the Amarna Period. The king, Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten, reigned 1390-1352 BC), is shown in a relaxed pose, which would have been unthinkable in earlier times, with a protruding chin and belly; he is seated below the disc of the Aten (the sun) whose rays extend down to the king. Each ray terminates in a small hand and symbolizes the manner in which the sun hands its benefits down to the king. The new beliefs formulated at Amarna, and held to a limited extent elsewhere, stressed that Akhenaten was the sole person with access to the Aten. The Aten, Akhenaten believed, was the principal god and the source of all life. Thus, only the royal family is ever shown making offerings to the Aten; private individuals had to direct their devotions through the king. From the British Museums collections
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Media ID 14856481
© CM Dixon / Heritage-Images
18th Dynasty Akenaten Akenaton Akhenaten Akhenaton Akhnaton Amenhotep Iv Aten Limestone Plaque Relaxed Stela Sun Disc Sun Disk Ancient Egyptian Mike Dixon
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This print showcases a detailed limestone stela featuring a seated figure of Akhenaten, the renowned pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Dating back to the 18th Dynasty around 1340 BC, this artwork provides valuable insights into the religious and artistic transformations that took place during the Amarna Period. The stela portrays Akhenaten in an unprecedented relaxed pose, displaying a protruding chin and belly. Such informality would have been unimaginable in earlier times. Positioned beneath the radiant disc of the Aten (the sun), which extends its rays towards him, Akhenaten is depicted as receiving divine blessings from this celestial deity. Each ray terminates with a small hand symbolizing how the sun bestows its benefits upon him. During this period, Akhenaten introduced new beliefs emphasizing his exclusive connection with the Aten. He considered it to be not only the primary god but also the ultimate source of all life. Consequently, only members of his royal family are shown making offerings to this deity while ordinary individuals had to direct their devotions through him. Preserved within The British Museum's collections, this remarkable artifact sheds light on one of history's most significant religious shifts and offers us a glimpse into Pharaoh Akhenaten's unique spiritual worldview.
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