This paper reviews Donald Redford's Akhenaten: The Heretic King, a provocative reexamination of one of ancient Egypt's most debated pharaohs. Unlike historians who celebrate Akhenaten as an enlightened monotheist, Redford argues that the pharaoh was a ruthless tyrant with poor administrative and military skills who lacked genuine religious conviction. The review analyzes Redford's use of the Amarna Letters as a primary source, his controversial claim that Akhenaten was effectively an atheist using religious reform to glorify himself and his father, and his critique of Akhenaten's military failures. The paper also considers scholarly responses from reviewers such as John Baines and Raymond Westbrook, concluding that the book is valuable for its originality and its capacity to stimulate further debate.
Akhenaten is probably one of the most controversial pharaohs to have gained a prominent place in the history of Egypt. He was responsible for dismantling long-held religious beliefs and introducing monotheism during his eventful reign. Several books have been written on Akhenaten's reign and beliefs, and most historians have glorified him as an enlightened pharaoh who sought to end idol worship and found a new religion based on monotheistic principles. While most historians agree that Akhenaten was a great and enlightened ruler, Donald Redford strongly disagrees with such views in his book, Akhenaten: The Heretic King. This book seeks to dismantle all previously held assumptions about the so-called great king and his reign. While readers may choose to disagree with the views expressed in the book, the author has done his job thoroughly and has presented evidence from history to support his argument.
Akhenaten: The Heretic King revolves around the thesis that Akhenaten was indeed a ruthless tyrant who possessed poor administrative skills and completely lacked a sincere desire to transform his country. The author further maintains that Akhenaten did not care about his people and was not a shrewd military leader — and that this ultimately led to his downfall.
The book uses the Amarna Letters as its main source of information and evidence. These letters contain detailed information on various aspects of Akhenaten's rule, and the content presented in the book draws heavily from this primary source. However, it must be noted that the interpretation of information contained in these letters is highly original, as the author has undertaken it himself. The way he perceived certain issues or interpreted certain situations may or may not be accurate, and this is what makes the book somewhat controversial in historical circles. With passages such as the following, the author largely disturbs the firmly held views regarding the king and his skills as a ruler:
"[Akhenaten] was largely responsible for the breakup of the Egypto-Mitannian entente, just at a time when such a rupture ill behooved either state. Shortly after Amenophis III's death, Queen Tiy expressed in a letter to Tushratta anxiety about future relations. The tone of concern was strange, as Akhenaten had exchanged gifts with Tushratta and was soon to marry his daughter." (p. 41)
The first few chapters of the book deal with the background of Akhenaten's reign, his family history, and how his lineage ascended the throne. The author tells us about Akhenaten's father and the family into which the heretic king was born. This section presents nothing particularly controversial, debatable, or shocking. However, with Akhenaten's ascension to the throne, the book takes an interesting turn as the author makes several insightful and highly original observations about this period. A large part of the book is devoted to Akhenaten's change of religion and his personal religious beliefs, which bring us to the Aten controversy.
When Akhenaten came to power after the death of his father, Amenophis III, he became rather obsessed with what he saw as religious flaws in his country. He discarded polytheism and introduced the concept of one God, and he also set out to destroy the statues and idols considered sacred by most Egyptians. Akhenaten declared Aten to be the only God, making him a sun-worshipper, since Aten was the Sun God. However, the controversy does not end there, because while many believe Aten was the Sun God Akhenaten worshipped, there is evidence suggesting that this Sun God was none other than Akhenaten's own father — or at least that this is what Akhenaten himself believed: "What it was Akhenaten tells us plainly enough: The Disk [Aten] was his father, the universal king." (p. 3)
"Redford's claim of atheism and self-exaltation"
"Criticism of Akhenaten's military and governance"
"Reviews by Baines, Westbrook, and final assessment"
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