Aten

(noun)

The disk of the sun in ancient Egyptian mythology, and originally an aspect of Ra.

Related Terms

Examples of Aten in the following topics:

  • The New Kingdom

    • One of the best-known Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs is Amenhotep IV (c. 1353-1336 BCE), who changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of Aten and whose exclusive worship of the deity is often interpreted as the first instance of monotheism.
    • He rejected the old Egyptian religion and promoted the Aten as a supreme deity.

  • Ancient Egyptian Religion

    • There was even a period of time where Egypt was monotheistic, under Pharaoh Akhenaten, and his patron god Aten.