Printable Coloring Pages
Egyptian Pharoah, Ahkenaten
Pharaoh Ahkenaten's era of transformation and unique artistic style comes to life in our coloring pages, inviting you to explore the intriguing world of this ancient Egyptian ruler and his revolutionary devotion to the sun god Aten. He started his reign as Amenhotep IV and changed his name partway through to Ahkenaten.
Nefertiti was his Queen
History of the Egyptian Pharoah, Ahkenaten:
Ahkenaten, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt's 18th Dynasty, stands as a figure of intrigue and revolution in the rich tapestry of Egyptian history, which spanned over thirty dynasties. Known for his radical worship of the sun god Aten, Ahkenaten brought a singular devotion to this deity, reflected in the art and culture of his reign. His statues, adorned in robes of celestial blue and pure white, capture the essence of the sky and the Nile's nurturing flow. The regal attire, accented with gold, mirrors the sun's endless radiance, a testament to his religious fervor. His crown, a fusion of deep azure and gleaming gold, reaches towards the heavens, symbolizing his divine aspirations.
The artistic representations of Ahkenaten are strikingly unique, characterized by elongated features and large, expressive eyes that draw one into a bygone era of mystique and religious reform. These eyes, wide and alert, contrast with the serene and elongated contours of his face, creating a captivating visage that invites curiosity and wonder. The 18th Dynasty, to which Ahkenaten belonged, was a period of unparalleled artistic and architectural achievements, and his contributions, though controversial, added a rich layer of complexity to Egypt's cultural legacy. With every color and line, children are invited to explore the enigmatic world of Ahkenaten, delving into the golden sands and the age-old mysteries of a pharaoh who dared to challenge the Egyptian priests in power, reshaping Egypt's religious landscape.
Aten and Ra are related but distinct deities in ancient Egyptian religion. Ra, one of the oldest and most significant gods, was the sun god, often depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the sun disk on his head. Ra symbolized the sun's power and was central to Egyptian cosmology and kingship.
Aten, initially an aspect of the sun god, became the focus of Pharaoh Akhenaten's monotheistic worship during his reign in the 18th Dynasty. Under Akhenaten, Aten was depicted not as a human-like god but as the sun itself, with rays ending in hands extending blessings. This marked a significant religious shift, as Akhenaten elevated Aten above other gods, particularly emphasizing an intimate and direct relationship between Aten and the pharaoh, to the exclusion of the traditional pantheon and priesthood associated with gods like Ra.
So, while Aten and Ra are both important solar deities, Aten's worship under Akhenaten represented a departure from traditional Egyptian religion, with Aten being depicted in a more abstract, universal form compared to the anthropomorphic (human-like) representation of Ra.
In desert regions like Egypt, the sun is a powerful and omnipresent force, deeply influencing the climate, the landscape, and daily life. It's both life-giving, providing the warmth and light necessary for life, and potentially destructive, with its intense heat and the harsh conditions it can create.
For ancient civilizations living in desert areas, the sun's significance would naturally imbue it with spiritual and divine attributes. It becomes a symbol of immense power, and the cycle of life and death. The sun's predictable path across the sky also made it a symbol of order and consistency in the universe.