Akhenaten

The Armana Crisis

  • Period: 1550 BCE to 1292 BCE

    18th Dynasty

  • Period: 1389 BCE to 1338 BCE

    Lifespan of Queen Tiye

  • Period: 1386 BCE to 1349 BCE

    Reign of Amenhotep III

    Height of Egyptian Power
  • 1356 BCE

    Approx. Death of Thutmose V

    Approx. Death of Thutmose V
    Originally meant to take the throne instead of Akhenaten, his death led his younger brother to come to power.
  • 1353 BCE

    Akhenaten weds Nefertiti

    Akhenaten weds Nefertiti
    Nefertiti would become a powerful and influential Queen, who in many artworks is shown to be an equal or ruling alongside Akhenaten.
  • 1351 BCE

    Co-regency

    Possible period of co-regency between Amenhotep III and Amenhotep IV
  • Period: 1351 BCE to 1334 BCE

    Reign of Akhenaten

  • 1349 BCE

    Death of Amenhotep III

    Death of Amenhotep III
    Amenhotep III died at approximately 52 years of age, he is outlived by his wife Queen Tiye.
  • 1346 BCE

    Construction of Akhetaten

    Construction of Akhetaten
    Abandoning Thebes as the capital city, Akhenaten built a new capital adjacent to the Nile river but far enough from other locations that it was difficult area. It was chosen due to Akhenaten traveling and seeing the sun resting in a natural curve in a mountain, and hence he believed it was a sign from the gods.
  • 1346 BCE

    The Aten

    The Aten
    In the fifth year of his reign, Amenhotep IV (Amun is pleased) changed his name to Akhenaten (Servant of the Aten), formally declaring the new monotheistic religion which worshiped the Aten. He would neglect temples and the priests who did not worship said god.
  • 1338 BCE

    Death of Queen Tiye

    Death of Queen Tiye
  • 1336 BCE

    Death of Nefertiti

    Death of Nefertiti
    There is suspicion that she, in fact, did not die at this time, and instead became an advisor to Akhenaten under a different name.
  • 1335 BCE

    Death of Akhenaten

    Death of Akhenaten
    Akhenaten dies, leaving Egypt far weaker than what it was at the beginning of his reign. His throne passes to his son, Tutankhaten (later Tutankhamun)
  • 1334 BCE

    Tutenkhaten/Tutankhamen comes to power

    Tutenkhaten/Tutankhamen comes to power
    Takes over a weak empire and rules for a short time, he attempted and partially succeeded in reverting Egypt back to traditional beliefs - though it is likely his advisers who did so rather than the king himself.
  • Period: 1334 BCE to 1323 BCE

    Rule Of Tutankhamen

    Ruled for 10 years, but did little in comparison to other pharaohs
    Died at the age of 19
    Suffered scoliosis, a club foot, and there is evidence of damage to parts of his skull likely caused by a blunt object.
  • 1327 BCE

    Akhetaten Abandoned

    Akhetaten Abandoned
    Akhetaten's city is abandoned five years into Tutenkhamun's reign. Thebes is restored as the capital, and the material used in the construction of the city was taken and re-purposed.
  • Period: 1323 BCE to 1319 BCE

    Reign of Ay

    Successor to Tutankhamen, previously government official
    Father To Nefertiti
    Likely advised Tutankhamen and the subsequent return to Memphis as the capital city.
  • Period: 1319 BCE to 1292 BCE

    Reign of Horemheb (Last pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty)

    Suspected to have perhaps orchestrated Tutankhamen's death, previously was advisor and a military leader