48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Archaeologist, December 10, 2001
Cyril Aldred was one of the best minds ever to work in Egyptology. He used both common sense and intelligence, and rarely found himself swept up in the fantasies that abound in Egyptology. This book is an excellent example of his meticulous work. Read, for example, his chapter deciphering the contents of KV55. Not just the mummy, but the shrines and other objects, found in a hopeless jumble. Guided by what is simple and probable, he presents a reasonable explanation of how the tomb was found in that state it was; and how such a mixed burial, with objects referring to Akhenaten, Tiye and Smenkhara, came to be.
He also treats Akhenaten's "monotheism" with much less awe that it is usually given. He points out that it wasn't quite a religion ahead of its time, but a return to Old Kingdom sun-worship, and that it was by no means monotheism as we now consider it.
To respond to the issue raised in the review below: Aldred didn't invent the theory of Froelich's syndrome. It was a going theory at that time, as Egyptologists tried to find an explanation for Akhenaten's unique and somewhat feminine appearance.
Aldred knew the disease caused impotence. A working theory for many Egyptologists was that the disease went into remission before it made Akhenaten sterile. Aldred does present the idea that Amenhotep III might have fathered the children, if Akhenaten had been unable to. However, he then shows artwork of Akhenaten in mourning, with a growth of beard, showing that he did have secondary sex characteristics. Aldred then concludes the most likely theory is that Akhenaten fathered his own children.
In regard to the "incest-mania": that, too, was a going theory, not one invented by Aldred. It results from the fact that Akhenaten's three eldest princesses all evidently had daughters when they were very young, and when they were not married. Inscriptions refer to the these infants as "child of the king."
The theory goes that, in a mad attempt to have a male heir of fully royal blood, Ahenaten fathered children on his own children. A distasteful thought, but his own father married his daughter, Akhenaten's sister Sit-Amun, so again there is some basis for the idea.
Aldred also discusses the co-regency of Smenkhara. I personally think he would make short work of current theories that the ruler was really Nefertiti in drag, ruling as Pharaoh. For one thing, he discusses funerary objects (ushebtis) with Nefertiti's name on them which come from about the year 14, the year she "disappeared" or was "exiled." So it would seem likely she died at that time. For another, the body in tomb 55 is a royal male body, evidently an older brother of Tutankhamun. And portraits of King Smenkhara look nothing at all like Nefertiti. They do, however, show family resemblance to Akhenaten and Tut.
To return to the disease that plagued Akhenaten, I think author Bob Brier has it right. He has identified the disease as Marfan's syndrome, which causes, among other things, unusually long fingers and toes. He outlines his theory in his book about King Tut's death. His theory about the boy-king's murder is a bit farfetched, but his work on Marfan's syndrome would seem to be a breakthrough in solving this mystery.
If you are remotely interested in this brief period of history, Aldred's Akhenaten is a must-have.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Astonishingly thorough, January 9, 1999
By A Customer
Cyril Aldred was one of the greatest Egyptologists of our time. In "Akhenaten: King of Egypt" he has left us his greatest legacy. This book reads as if you are right there. It is a mix between a volume for specialists, and an interesting detective novel. There are 107 excellent illustrations, both photographs and drawings, to compliment the wonderfully comprehensive text. A must have for anyone interested in Egypt, or in the world's first monothiest.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exquisite masterpiece worthy of both pharoah and scholar., January 11, 1999
By A Customer
This book is a must for all interested in the Amarna period, whether they be a serious student or one whose interest is casual. Though slightly dated, the work is still the largest depository of knowledge concerning Akhenaten other than the late Cyril Aldred, himself. The plates are excellent and compliment well the captivating discussions they accompany. KV55 and its importance to the Amarna period are discussed at length, that discussion including theories on just who it was the make-shift burial was originally for. The conclusion of the book also leaves one imagining the meeting of Cyril and Akhenaten in the afterlife, each enjoying the company of an equally great leader in his field
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