Customer Reviews

Akhenaten: King of Egypt

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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.

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.

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

Written by a notorious Egyptologist, this classic tells of Akhenaten and Nefertiti's life and family, the foundation of Amarna,and the conception of monotheism. One of the best books ever written on the subject, it is well researched and extremely informative, with many illustrations. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in learning more about this pharaoh.

Very informative!! Thoroughly written and researched!! If a person is inexperienced in Egyptology, this book commences from day one of the life of Akhenaten and Nefertiti to the end, and aftermath of this great pharoah. Well written. The way it (the writing) is constructed, makes one feel like they are following history, just after it has occurred. I commend Mr. Aldred, whom is no longer among us, and recommend this reading to anyone who is interested in two uniquely and innovative leaders, Akhenaten and Cyril!

Akhenaten and his ideals are very innovative and thought provoking to say the least. I can truly identify with this and he is my FAVORITE Pharaoh. This book is enlightening and somewhat informative. I am a researcher and had knowledge about the majority of the information within the covers of this book. Nonetheless, this is a nice edition to anyone's Egyptian book collection.

The book begins with a systematic survey describing the evidence available for the reign of Akhenaten. This is followed by a very useful description of the milieu into which Akhenaten was born, which allows the reader to place the information contained in the book into context and to judge for themselves the extent to which Akhenaten's beliefs, policies and actions differed from those of his predecessors. Next follows an insightful discussion of the enigmas surrounding the Amarna period, including the possible identity of the mummy found in tomb 55, the question of a co-regency with Amenophis III and the nature of Akhenaten's religious beliefs. The final sections describe the reign of Akhenaten and some of the interpretations that have been given to it by various scholars.

Though of course almost all of the points discussed are contentious, Aldred argues convincingly from the evidence base. His style is extremely readable and the discussions of the enigmas in particular are laid out in a clear and logical manner. I have read a number of books about this fascinating pharaoh, but none have dealt as comprehensively and systematically with the evidence as Aldred does. This work must be considered to be one of the most definitive works on the subject and a must read for the student of the Amarna period.

The book is well researched and brings detailed information about Egyptology, but when it comes to the biographee, the conclusions presented are simply ludicrous.

First the author, unable to account for Akhenaton's unusual appearance, states that he suffered from a so-called Frohlich Syndrome; however, as that Frohlich disease is an utterly sterilizing one, and Akhenaton is always depicted surrounded by his beloved wife Nefertiti and their many children, Aldred has to rack his brains to support his amazing theory. What does he comes up with then? Of course! All Akhenaton and Nefertiti's seven children were actually generated by Akhenaton's old father, Amenhotep III! How come we never thought of it!

Later on, Aldred forgets all he said before and states, based on nothing but his own weird fantasy, that Akhenaton simply... married his own daughter, and, guess what? had children with her! Extraordinary! Did he cure himself of his Frohlich disease and fathered his grandchild, or did old Amenhotep III play again the stallion and fathered his great-grandchild? Well, that can hardly be, for old Amenhotep was dead and mummified for a long time by then; so, who's the newborn's real father this time? Tuthankhamen? Perhaps the author should have cured himself of that incestmania of his before committing to Egyptology, which is supposed to be a serious science.

Finally we found out where monoteism came from and WHO was the first people to adopted it!

I was fascinated by this book. I have read a lot of different books on the history of Egypt and find Akenhaten the most intersting of subjects. He tried to try something new of a well established religion....was he a few millenniums too early! If you have to read anything on him. Read this.