The Court of Pharaoh Akhenaten

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The Court of Pharaoh
Akhenaten
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“True wisdom is less
presuming than folly. The wise
man doubteth often, and
changeth his mind; the fool is
obstinate, and doubteth not; he
knoweth all things but his own
ignorance.”
-Pharaoh Akhenaten
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Dear Delegates,
My name is Erin Waldman and I would like to congratulate you on joining The
Court of Pharaoh Akhenaten at WUMUNS 2015! I am a Sophomore in the School
of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in both
Global Health and the Environment as well as African American Studies. I began
my Model UN career during my freshman year here at Wash. U., experiencing my
first conference at WUMUNS 2014, where I served as a crisis staffer for the Triple
Alliance joint crisis committee. Outside of Model UN, I’m involved with OWN It:
Wash U’s first women’s empowerment summit. It has been a true privilege to
develop this committee for you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
In the middle of the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom, Ancient Egypt entered its
golden age. This rapidly expanding kingdom prospered due to the development
of new farming technologies, successful campaigns, and flourishing art styles.
Amenhotep III, also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent, was the ninth
pharaoh of the 18th dynasty that brought Egypt to its peak of international power.
As his reign drew to a close and his son Amenhotep IV ascended the throne in
1353 BCE, one of Egypt’s most significant changes was about to begin: an age of
monotheism, or the worship of one god. Early in his reign, Amenhotep IV
declared his devotion to the Aten, the God of the Sun Disc, and changed his name
to Akhenaten, meaning “Effective for the Aten.”
This committee of Akhenaten’s advisors, officials, allies, and members of the
royal family must navigate the unknown territory of the world’s first monotheistic
religion and the pitfalls of leaving behind centuries of tradition. With enemies
amassing at Egypt’s borders, rising dissent from her allies, and no clear line of
royal succession, the committee’s task is to avoid a potential disaster and retain
maat, or the universe’s ideal state as instituted by the gods themselves. As a
delegate, you will face a series of crises that will challenge the Egyptian state of
order, requiring you to use your position’s personal background and individual
powers to decide the course of history.
An interesting detail of this committee is the exact history of what truly
transpired is conflicting, incomplete, and inconclusive, due to the fact that
Akhenaten’s successors attempted to erase all memory or records of his reign.
Although this is a historical committee, the actions taken will have real-world
consequences that can deviate from the historical narrative. Ancient Egypt’s
history may very well be rewritten, and I can’t wait to see what kind of story you
all will choose to author. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to
email me at [email protected], and I look forward to seeing you in
October!
Sincerely,
Erin Waldman
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Contents
Committee Background..………………………………..…………. 1
Kingdoms and Kings....……………………………………………………. 1
The Hittite Empire.........................……………………………………. 1
The Old Gods and the New......…………………………………………. 2
Committee Mandate............................................................ 4
Topic A: Worship of the Aten..............……………...…..…… 4
Topic B: The Hittite Threat..….......………...………..…………. 5
Topic C: Moving to Amarna............................................... 6
Topic D: Succession............................................................. 7
Delegate Positions………………………………………………………. 9
Bibliography…….…….…….…….….…….…………………………….. 14
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Historical Background
Kingdoms and
Kings
Throughout its history, ancient Egypt has seen nine major time periods,
but only three major kingdoms: the Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE), the Middle
Kingdom (c. 2055-1786 BCE), and the New Kingdom (c. 1567-1085 BCE).1
Between each kingdom lay an Intermediate Period, usually marked by political
instability, split control between groups, and conflict. Prior to the New Kingdom,
the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1786-1567 BCE) was marked by the relocation
of the official royal court to Thebes during the 13th dynasty, rival dynasties, and a
line of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos around 1650 BCE.2 The New Kingdom
united Egypt in 1567 BCE under Ahmose I, the first pharaoh of the 18th dynasty.
As this powerful new dynasty brought stability to Egypt, its rulers successfully
restored control over Nubia, rebuilt an alliance with Mittannia, and began to fight
with the Hittites over territory. One of the most notable aspects of the New
Kingdom was the preponderance of women in power, from Queen Hatshepsut
(1503-1482 BCE) who ruled as Pharaoh, to the Great Royal Wives who took over
many aspects of their husbands’ rule.
One of the great rulers of the 18th dynasty, Amenhotep the III, dedicated
his reign to improving the Egyptian empire through its art, architecture, and
international prowess. His reign from 1391 to 1353 BCE saw incredible additions
to the famous Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak, strengthened alliances with
neighboring kingdoms, and new territory won in Nubia. 3Amenhotep III’s eldest
son Prince Thutmose was first in line to take the throne after his father, until he
was appointed the high priest of the temple of Ptah in Memphis, leaving his
younger brother, Amenhotep IV to rule after their father’s death. As Amenhotep
III grew weaker, he instituted Amenhotep IV as a co-regent to smooth the
transition of the throne and to allow himself to continue ruling effectively, even in
his old age. A co-regent assumes the more taxing administrative and legislative
roles that are involved in running a kingdom, while the sitting monarch, in this
case the pharaoh, holds all the final decision-making power.4The two shared the
throne for about eight years, and after his father’s death in 1353 BCE, Amenhotep
IV ascended to the throne.
The Hittite
Empire
At the same time, the Hittite Empire of Canaan to the north, sprawling
across the region of modern-day Turkey, was quickly becoming a significant rival
of Ancient Egypt. Founded in 1700 BCE in its Old Kingdom, the Hittites quickly
became a swift force to be reckoned with, establishing an empire in Mesopotamia
that survive for approximately two hundred years through military force and
economic strength.5 The founder, Hatusilli I, built the capital of Hattusa, the
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"Amarna: Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun." Penn Museum. Accessed January 7, 2015.
Ibid.
3 Connor, David B. Amenhotep III: Perspectives on His Reign. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1998. 3-10.
4 Reeves, C. N. Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet. London: Thames & Hudson, 2001. 172.
5 Mark, Joshua. "The Hittites." Ancient History Encyclopedia. April 28, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2015.
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center of the Hittite kingdom. However, through a series of assassinations and
political conflicts, the Hittite kingdom crumbled in 1500 BCE and remained in a
state of disarray for about a hundred years.
After 1400 BCE, the Hittites slowly started to rebuild under the rule of
Tudhaliya I and Tudhaliya II, but the prosperous New Kingdom, later known as
the true Hittite Empire, truly began under King Suppiluliuma I. Just as the New
Kingdom of Egypt was reaching its peak in the 1300s BCE, Suppiluliuma carried
the Hittites to political and economic dominance of the region during his rule in
1344-1322 BCE. Having spent the earlier part of his reign improving life for his
people by reclaiming and renovating cities and building up his army,
Suppiluliuma began to quickly take back the regions of the Hittite Old Kingdom
that were lost during the 100 year-long “dark ages.”6 Suppiluliuma began to look
to expand the growing empire outwards into the regions allied with Egypt, such
as the kingdoms of Mitanni and Amurru. Determined to chip away at the rival
empire, Suppiluliuma began to amass a larger and larger force to intimidate the
border kingdoms of Egypt.7 Although the Hittite Empire encompassed all of
modern-day Turkey and the northeastern coastline of the Mediterranean,
Suppiluliuma’s eye turned to the kingdoms along the east coast of the sea to
increase Hittite trade by controlling port cities allied with Egypt. In the time
frame of this committee, Suppiluliuma is just coming to power, although much of
his re-establishment of the New Kingdom comes before his official date of rule.
The Old Gods
and the New
At the beginning of Amenhotep IV’s rule, he lived in the capital city of
Thebes with his beautiful and revered wife Nefertiti and their young family. At
the time, Amenhotep IV’s growing commitment to the already established cult of
the Aten had not raised any concerns, as a pharaoh’s dedication to a particular
god was a common, if not encouraged, pattern. No one would have expected
Amenhotep IV to break from the traditional gods of Egypt, as at the time, that
was an unheard of idea. In the fifth year of his reign, however, the Pharaoh did
just that. Elevating the status of the Aten to the Supreme God, Amenhotep IV had
the Aten’s name written in the cartouche form meant only for pharaohs. This
fundamental change coincided with the declaration of a Sed festival, which was
an enormous occasion to celebrate the Pharaoh’s divine powers and right to rule.
While the Sed festival is usually held in a pharaoh’s thirtieth year of rule, Pharaoh
Amenhotep IV held his much earlier to announce the proclamation of the Aten.8
Even more significantly, the Pharaoh changed his name, formerly a tribute to
Amun Re, to the more widely known form of Akhenaten. This name change
required a rebranding and resculpting of hundreds of statues, carvings, and
tributes to the pharaoh.
All of these monumental changes were fundamentally shocking to the
Egyptian aristocracy and people, as it jarred Egyptian culture down to the very
core. To change to a monotheistic religion would mean admitting that the current
gods that preserved the natural way of life, did not actually do so. Abandoning
them would be similar to abandoning everything the Egyptians knew about the
world around them and destroying the maat, or balance, of the world. There are
close to 2,000 gods and goddesses in the Egyptian tradition, often with
overlapping characteristics, physical appearances, and spiritual reigns. The most
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Mark, “The Hittites”
Mark, Joshua. "Suppiluliuma I." Ancient History Encyclopedia. May 20, 2014. Accessed January 2, 2015.
8 Rosalie, David. Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt, Facts on File Inc., 1998. p.124
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common explanation for this is the former split between Upper and Lower Egypt,
which were two completely different regions with at least forty sub-regions
among them, each with various deities and religious practices. As Egypt slowly
became a more unified region, people began to combine traditions and gods,
forming the Egyptian pantheon as it stood in the New Kingdom. Although there
are thousands of gods, the more widely worshipped deities were often the ones
with dual human and animal qualities. Gods such as Anubis, the famous god of
the dead, were often represented with the head of a jackal or another animal.9
Egyptians would then interpret the presence of that animal in the physical world
in the form of omens and signs. In the religious traditions, the gods had their own
particular family trees, histories, and religious journeys that would justify a
particular natural phenomenon, spiritual dichotomy, or relationship between
multiple deities.
The Temple of
Amun Re at
Karnak
Image Credit:
digital.library.unt.edu
The more commonly worshipped gods included Amun Re, the sun god
and King of the Gods. Amun Re was created when two separate gods, Amun and
Re, became one idea over time, allowing for the combination of two contingents
of followers. Amun Re quickly became the most important god of the New
Kingdom, and Egyptians believed him to be omnipresent, invisible, and the
source of all other gods, as well as creation.10 The title of “God of the Dead”
belonged to many different gods, but most widely to Osiris and Anubis. The
history between the two is that Osiris was a former king of the gods who was
betrayed and killed. After his death, Anubis became the new god of the dead, but
Osiris still presides peacefully over the afterlife, a place where all Egyptians
believe they will go after they die. Osiris’ wife and sister is Isis, the most revered
Egyptian goddess. She was known for her beauty, devotion, and powers of
healing, placing her dear to many Egyptians. The son of these two deities was
Horus, the god of both the sky and all the Pharaohs of Egypt. One of the most
significant goddesses in Egypt – and for this committee – was Maat, the goddess
of the balance of the universe. She stood for truth and order, representing the
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9
Penn Museum, "Amarna”
Ibid.
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Egyptian concept and ideal of maat as well. Maat is the universe’s ideal state as
instituted by the gods themselves, which Maat was responsible for upholding.11
As these are only a few of the thousands of gods and goddesses, delegates are
strongly encouraged to do additional research to build on this foundation,
especially if there may be a deity relevant to a particular position.
Committee Mandate
Pharaoh Akhenaten’s court will take place during the middle of his reign,
starting in1346 BCE. As a court of Akhenaten’s advisors, officials, priests, allies,
and members of the royal family, your role is to preside over the governing of the
empire, meaning you will operate as the kingdom’s executive, legislative, and
judicial branch all rolled into one. As those who help the pharaoh govern, the
court acts on behalf of the pharaoh, using his absolute power to legitimize the
laws they create and enforce in the eyes of the people. Although Pharaoh
Akhenaten will not be a delegate in this committee, he will be reviewing its
actions and providing either his support or displeasure at the activities he
observes. As such, it is the mission of this committee is to preserve Egypt’s maat,
or the ideal state of the universe. Through all of the changes that may occur, the
committee must decide on the essence of what it means to be Egyptian, and
whether they are abandoning their true values, or ushering Egypt into a new age.
Topic A: Worship of the Aten
One of the most significant markers of Akhenaten’s reign is his worship of
the Aten, the God of the Sun Disk. Although the Aten was already part of the
Egyptian religious tradition and had been gaining recognition as a powerful god,
the era of the Aten began during Akhenaten’s father’s realm: Amenhotep III
named his royal barge the “Spirit of the Aten.”12 It was common within the royal
court to adopt a particular god as the “supreme state god” or royal patron, but
Akhenaten was the first pharaoh to not only adopt a particular god, but to
exclude other deities as a whole. Akhenaten’s dedication to this new god
threatened thousands of years of deeply rooted Egyptian tradition and culture;
Egypt’s ancient polytheism had changed to henotheism, or the worship of one
god while still acknowledging the existence of other gods. As his reign continued,
however, Akhenaten declared the Aten the one and only god, transforming Egypt
into a monotheistic state and completely invalidating the entire pantheon of gods
and their corresponding cultural traditions.13 After this sudden change,
Akhenaten began to build temples for the Aten, which involved redirecting all
previous funding of the temples of Amun Re, Ptah, and all other main gods to the
creation of temples for the Aten. With this change in cash flow, Akhenaten has
left the priesthood, an influential class in Egypt, on the brink of political and
social insignificance. By abandoning the most faithful supporters of the pharaoh,
the priests, Akhenaten has created formidable enemies that hold sway with a vast
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Ibid.
Rosalie, Handbook to Life
13 Aldred, Cyril. Akhenaten: King of Egypt. London: Thames and Hudson, 1991.
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number of devoted officials, nobles, and citizens of Egypt. For the nobles,
worshipping the Aten means being welcomed into the pharaoh’s new court, but
also abandoning the traditional way of life and the idea of journeying into the
next world: the afterlife. For the common people, abandoning the worship of the
old gods could bring economic and environmental disaster: appeasing the gods is
the reason why Egypt not only survives, but prospers.14 Although Akhenaten has
turned a blind eye to the continued polytheism among the working class, any
potential action to eradicate the temples and idols of the old gods may be met
with extreme resistance. Knowledge of this potential threat to the state’s stability
has influenced Akhenaten’s actions until now.
Questions to Consider:
•! How will the court address those who refuse to recognize the new
religion’s legitimacy?
•! How will Egypt’s allies and enemies view this complete cultural shift?
Topic B: The Hittite Threat
As a large empire, Egypt faces the constant threat of invasion by the
Hittite armies on its northern border. Although Egypt has the military capacity to
face the Hittites in open battle, Akhenaten and his predecessors have refrained
from doing so unless the situation requires it, and only then with the assistance of
allied kingdoms. However, Akhenaten’s preoccupation with the religious affairs
of Egypt has left his foreign affairs lacking, leaving most of the administrative
duties to his viziers and to his mother, Tiye. While this system has sustained the
kingdom through the early part of Akhenaten’s reign, the amassing Hittite forces
pose a looming threat to the allied kingdoms of Byblos, Amurru, and Mitanni.
Each kingdom has been requesting Egyptian gold, aid, and attention, and has
received nothing from the pharaoh.15 After Akhenaten reneged on a past promise
of payment to Tushratta, King of Mitanni, the already-strained relationship
between the two has come close to a breaking point. Additionally, when Aziru,
ruler of Amurru, received no promise of aid from the pharaoh, he attacked Byblos
hoping to expand his territory, which in turn caused a backlash from Byblos.16
Egypt’s alliances are weakening during a critical time: any shifts in loyalty to the
Hittites could completely upset the power balance of the Ancient Middle East.
The committee must retain these alliances at any cost to remain a united front
against the forces of the Hittite ruler, Suppiluliuma I.
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Dollinger, André. "The Priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings." An Introduction to the History and Culture of Pharaonic
Egypt. Accessed December 29, 2014.
14
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16
Mark, Joshua. "Akhenaten.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. April 17, 2014. Accessed January 2, 2015.
Ibid.
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The Lion Gate of
Hattusa
Image Credit:
Hattusas.com
As a ruler concerned primarily with the prosperity and wealth of his own
nation, Akhenaten’s willingness to engage in battle depends heavily on the
current state of affairs in the kingdom. Without a stable army and domestic work
force, Akhenaten will not risk plunging his kingdom into turmoil by entering a
battle. In addition, the willingness of the army to go to war relies heavily on troop
morale, which may vary greatly due to the religious and cultural upheaval of the
era.
Questions to Consider:
•! What are other ways for the court to undermine the strength of the Hittite
Empire?
•! How can the court convince Akhenaten to take direct action?
Topic C: Moving to Amarna
In 1346, Akhenaten declared the construction of Akhetaten, or Amarna, a
city specially designed to become the new political and religious capital of the
empire.17 Thebes, the current capital, was no longer sufficient to fill the needs of
the Aten. Akhenaten dreamed of a shining, new, spacious city filled with temples
and places of worship for the Aten, including an enormous palace for the royal
family to lead the kingdom to a higher purpose. Enraptured by his vision,
Akhenaten has demanded that all of the most skilled planners, builders,
sculptors, and architects join him in designing and creating the Holy City of the
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Dodson, Aidan. Amarna Sunset Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, Ay, Horemheb, and the Egyptian Counter-reformation. Cairo:
American University in Cairo Press, 2009. 170-174.
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Aten. The Pharaoh will not rest until his city stands in the gleaming sun blessed
by the Aten, and he and his entire family are living in his glorious palace.
Fulfilling Akhenaten’s demands by constructing a city is an enormous
endeavor, requiring a new palace, temples, libraries, artwork, housing, fields, etc.
Building these will not only take time, but also will require significant resources
that must either come from increased production or a reduction elsewhere.
Filling the new city will require mass movements of people and their possessions,
necessitating protection from the army or police force. Farmers may be unwilling
to leave their fields and land, similar to many civilians who do not wish to vacate
their family homes and neighborhoods. The court must decide who will live in
Amarna, and who will stay in Thebes. Additionally, the court must be careful not
to leave Thebes, a thriving city, without a healthy workforce to sustain the
population that remains.
Most importantly, moving the entire court of the pharaoh to Amarna
jeopardizes the role of Thebes as the center of Egyptian culture, trade, and
politics.18 A new city would divert important trade routes and the flow of wealth,
uprooting merchants, artisans, and established markets. Both the worship of the
Aten and the move to Amarna jeopardize the significance and power of the
established priesthood of Thebes and the Temple of Amun Re, the former
epicenter of religious life to both the royal court and the wider populace. With
this in mind, the government and priesthood must devise a way to save a city
whose lifeline of importance, population, and funding may disappear, while the
Egyptian elite now face the decision to join the new court of Amarna, or to
remain loyal to the Theban people and way of life.
Questions to Consider:
•! What methods will the court create to both build Amarna and ensure its
success?
•! What groups of Theban people will be more easily convinced to move to
Amarna?
Topic D: Succession
One of the most important topics of discussion will be the issue of
succession. Historians have no clear way of knowing the exact line of succession
after Akhenaten, and it is very possible that the royal family of Akhenaten didn’t
either. The pharaoh’s only son Tutankhamun, born around 1341 BCE, may be too
young to be Akhenaten’s immediate successor, leaving an incredibly important
role vacant.19 As Akhenaten grows older and frailer, the committee must settle the
matter of who will take the throne. If the pharaoh dies without having named a
successor, the court can act through the pharaoh’s divine right to institute a new
pharaoh before there is an attempt to take the throne by force or by political
coup.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neale, Sandra J. "AKHENATEN AND THE AMARNA PERIOD - Some Further Thoughts and Considerations." Akhenaten and
the Amarna Period. Accessed January 3, 2015.
19 "The Many Names of King Tutankhamun." The Michael C. Carlos Museum - Emory. Accessed January 2, 2015.
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As in any kind of power struggle, there are many contenders who eye the
Egyptian throne. The most immediate is the Queen and Great Royal Wife
Nefertiti, who already holds an unusual amount of power for a queen. It is
possible that she may ask to become co-regent as her husband’s health declines,
just as Akhenaten did for his father, Amenhotep III. The co-regency system
allows for a smooth, peaceful transition from one pharaoh to another, which may
allow Nefertiti to assume the name Neferneferuaten, a female pharaoh of the 18th
dynasty and one of Akhenaten’s potential successors.
King Tut’s
Sarcophagus
Image Credit:
nationalgeographic.com
Another claim lies among the royal family of Smenkhkare, Akhenaten’s
son-in-law married to his eldest daughter Meritaten. His family background is
unclear, although his claim to potential co-regency or even the throne may come
from his close friendship with Akhenaten and his important role at court.20 Both
Vizier Ay and General Horemheb have possible claims to the throne as well, as
their roles as powerful advisors, officials, and public speakers could allow them to
claim the throne in a time of dispute. With all of this in mind, the future of the
18th dynasty and the New Kingdom is in the hands of this committee, which must
decide which ruler will continue to bring Egypt into the light of the golden age.
Questions to Consider:
•! What would be the possible consequences of each potential ruler taking
the throne?
•! How can the court ensure that Egypt has a strong leader that will stabilize
the kingdom’s future?
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20
"Smenkhkare | Biography - King of Egypt." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed December 28, 2014.
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Delegate Positions
Dais Staff
CHAIR: Ay, Vizier of Upper Egypt
As Akhenaten’s most trusted advisor and right hand, Ay has dominion over
Upper Egypt, or the southern half of Egypt, centering around Thebes and
extending all the way into Kush. Appointed by the Pharaoh, the vizier’s primary
role is to supervise all of the government officials. Both viziers sit on the High
Court to ensure all aspects of government are running smoothly and that the
Pharaoh’s will is being carried out.
VICE CHAIR: Ramose, Vizier of Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt contains all of northern Egypt, extending from the Mediterranean
and the Nile Delta through the epicenter of Memphis and into the desert of the
middle of Egypt, including Amarna. Ramose has all of the same duties as Ay,
although he does not enjoy the same high favor from Akhenaten, as the region of
Lower Egypt is not as politically and economically active as Upper Egypt.
Commander
Menes
Leading the Egyptian Army, Commander Menes is responsible for the training
and upkeep of the Egyptian Army, as well as ensuring that the Hittites are unable
to enter or conquer the great Kingdom of Egypt. The Commander is very
outspoken and direct, especially when dealing with matters of Egyptian security.
Menes often prioritizes the general good of the empire over individual ambitions,
although he can be known to be very close-minded and skeptical of unorthodox
methods often used by the priesthood. Never quite at ease, Menes sometimes
displays vague paranoia about ambitious generals replacing him or planting spies
among his ranks. For example, Menes respects General Horemheb for his
dedication to the Pharaoh but is continually wary of his influence over Akhenaten
and his son.
Ounephes
As the Overseer of Prophets, Ounephes is in charge of all of the temples and must
face the difficult task of mediating the anger of the priesthood and following
Akhenaten’s close and demanding orders in creating temples to the Aten.
Although he must cater to both parties, Ounephes must decide with which side
his loyalties lie. To avoid conflict, Ounephes is known for sweeping metaphors
and flowery language that often hide his true intentions, as he has been
continually balancing opposing forces. Worried about retaliation from either side,
Ounephes takes careful measures to always protect himself and his family.
General
Horemheb
As an advisor and confidant to Ay, General Horemheb crafted his influential role
in Akhenaten’s court through military skill, shrewd leadership, and clever
politics. His dedication and respect for the Pharaoh and his wife, Nefertiti, earned
him the role of mentor to Akhenaten’s young son, Tutankhamen. Horemheb is
widely respected by his men, who will often go to great lengths to protect him.
Born in the lower classes of Egypt, Horemheb has gained the respect and
admiration of the Egyptian people and fellow soldiers for his tireless ambition,
work ethic, and powerful public speaking skills. However, his quick rise to
influence in Akhenaten’s eyes has left many members of the court wary of his
relentless ambition.
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Nekhtou
As the Overseer of Treasury, Nekhtou is responsible for distributing the
government’s wealth and levying and colleting taxes, as well as facing the
immense task of creating enough funds to build Amarna. He works closely with
Bathos, Overseer of Public Works, and Harscheft, Overseer of Agriculture, to
meet Akhenaten’s ever-growing list of demands. Nekhtou does not truly enjoy
sitting on the royal court, as he believes that his position does not garner the
widespread respect he believes it should. He does not care for political or
religious affiliations unless there is a logical or financial solution behind the
issue, and thus often finds himself at odds with the neighboring kingdoms
clamoring for Egyptian monetary aid.
Bathos
As Overseer of Public Works, Bathos is responsible for the construction and
upkeep of Egypt’s cities, roads, and temples. In such an expansive empire, Bathos
is the head of substantial resources and a large work force to mobilize to complete
very large projects. Bathos’ most immediate task is building Amarna, which
requires significant collaboration with the Overseer of Treasury, the Commander
of the Police Force, the Royal Sculptor, and the Vizier of Lower Egypt. One of the
major challenges to Bathos’ position is time; subject to the whims of the Pharaoh
and of the weather and flooding patterns of the Nile, Bathos rose to such a
position for his efficient and immediate problem solving ability. He is committed
to working by the book, and believes that every problem has a logical and, most
importantly, legal solution.
Apophis
The Pharaoh chooses the Chief of the Royal Bodyguard specifically from the
military, as he wants to ensure that the safety of the royal family lies in
trustworthy hands. Although the position is an honor, it is one that is easily taken
away: the Pharaoh can replace Apophis at any time, for any reason. Akhenaten
chose Apophis for his dedicated worship of the Aten, which the Chief of the Royal
Bodyguard now demands of all who work for him. Apophis is extremely loyal to
Akhenaten and has dedicated himself to ensuring the safety, health, and secrecy
of the royal family. He is very strict with his contingent of bodyguards, and tightly
monitors their actions and commitment to their role.
Makalani
As Commander of the Police Force, Makalani also holds the ceremonial title of
“Chief of the Medjay,” declaring him responsible for keeping order in all cities
across Egypt. Maintaining stability in cities that are close to the northern border
near the Hittites is one of his main concerns, especially keeping the public calm.
Complicating Makalani’s job is the fact that the police force has a reputation of
corruption and inefficiency in many cities, especially Thebes. Although he has
publicly denounced corruption in his force, the police have not radically
improved their methods under Makalani’s command.
Harscheft
As Overseer of Agriculture, Harscheft’s main duty as the Overseer of Agriculture
is ensuring that the Kingdom of Egypt can survive any plagues or droughts that
may affect the crops. Life in Egypt is sustained by the Nile and its cycles of
flooding and receding, and it is the job of the Overseer of Agriculture to maintain
the health and lifeline of the kingdom. As Egypt has been prospering for years,
the urgency of Harscheft’s position has slowly faded to one of maintenance and
supervision, instead of policy creation, large-scale mobilization, and labor
projects. Harscheft was chosen for the position for his quick solutions and
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willingness to work with other Overseers, although he has been criticized for his
short-term approach to issues.
Psenirina
As the Governor of Thebes, Psenirina has the difficult job of maintaining Thebes’
significance as the center of the Egyptian Kingdom. He answers to Ay, whose
governing of Upper Egypt in based in Thebes. During the move to Amarna,
Psenirina must ensure the survival of his city’s work force, agriculture, economy,
and political structure. He rose to such an important position by working with
integrity and honesty in menial government jobs, appearing to the people as the
iconic success story of social mobility. But as he stayed in office for years without
many changes to the Theban standard of living, the middle and lower classes
began to lose faith in his seemingly spotless record. Psenirina began to focus his
efforts on improving life for the nobility and upper class, who view him as the
champion of Theban cultural life and economic importance.
High Priest
Ptahmose
High Priest Ptahmose holds the highest and most influential position in the
priesthood, serving as the direct link between Amun Re and the people. He
oversees the temple of Amun Re in Thebes, the center of religious worship across
Egypt. Ptahmose’s influence over the people is a direct result of the integral role
that the temple plays in community. The contingent of Egyptians who went to the
temple regularly to pray, give offerings, and seek guidance often relied on the
High Priest to interpret Amun Re’s will. Ptahmose is a powerful public speaker,
and is widely respected by the people and among the priesthood. The shift to
Atenism directly challenges his relevance in the Egyptian community, a role that
stubborn Ptahmose is not willing to give up easily.
Prince
Thutmose
Despite being High Priest of Ptah, Thutmose holds the title of Prince as
Akhenaten’s older brother. Although he originally had a claim to the throne,
Queen Tiye claims to have seen a vision from the gods that he had a higher calling
in religion, and sent Thutmose to the priesthood when he was young. Although he
is now the prestigious and influential High Priest of Ptah, the priesthood requires
intense dedication and the renunciation of all rights to a throne. Thutmose still
holds a strained relationship with his mother and a merely cordial relationship to
his younger brother, now the Pharaoh. He is concerned for his quickly dwindling
power, which is threatened by the new influence of Atenism.
Director’s Note: Although Thutmose is proposed to have died during the coregency of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, he will be alive and well for the
purposes of this committee.
Sennedjem
Although he holds a largely ceremonial title (Fan-Bearer on the Right Hand of the
King), Sennedjem serves as a close advisor who shadows the pharaoh in all of his
official proceedings. He works closely with Ay and Ramose to provide them with
pertinent information from the Pharaoh, and often relays important messages
from Akhenaten to the entire royal court. Sennedjem also oversees the tutoring of
Akhenaten’s children, especially his young son Tutankhamun. Although they are
both advisors to the pharaoh, Sennedjem and Smenkhkare have had a history of
distrust and rivalry, as both of them frequently utilize political skill and
bargaining.
Former Queen
Tiye
Akhenaten’s mother and adept diplomat in foreign and state affairs, Tiye crafted
her diplomacy skills through years of handling Amenhotep III’s affairs while his
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health was faltering. Tiye is highly respected in the court for her abrupt
mannerisms and straightforward approach. As one of the first supporters of
Atenism, Tiye is committed to stabilizing the new religion and ensuring her son’s
legacy as the first true Pharaoh under the reign of the Aten. As foreign affairs
require a vast knowledge in governmental communication and policy, she has
spent many years fostering a close relationship with the elderly Amenhasura, the
Keeper of the House of Life.
Smenkhkare
Huy
Akhenaten’s close friend and son-in-law, Smenkhkare does not hold an official
position, although his involvement in the court proceedings allows him entry into
many closed circles. Pharaoh Akhenaten allowed him to marry his eldest
daughter, Meritaten, after many years of close friendship and advice. The
relationship between Smenkhkare and Akhenaten builds from mutual trust, as
Smenkhkare is one of the few people with whom Akhenaten shares his personal
thoughts. His political skills have not yet, however, allowed him to get close with
any military officials, but he hopes that General Horemheb will recognize his
open displays of respect and admiration as a sign of good will. He has had a longstanding rivalry with Sennedjem, as they often stand on opposing sides of issues
and attempt to sway the Pharaoh in different ways. Smenkhkare views his own
power and influence as highly dependent on maintaining positive relationships
among members of the court, as he does not hold any official role in the
government.
As the Viceroy of Kush, Huy is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the
kingdom south of Egypt and reporting everything of significance to the Pharaoh.
Due to Kush’s proximity to Upper Egypt, Huy has a close working relationship
with Ay. In times of unrest, Huy turns to Ay for advice and aid. Moreover, as the
Egyptian Governor of Nubia, an expansive conquered land, Huy enjoys a fairly
luxurious life, even by the standards of many of the officials of the Pharaoh’s
court. His major concern is the implementation of Atenism in a land already
resistant to Egyptian control. Although the area is currently under control,
discontent simmers under the surface; any push may bring it to the surface.
Director’s Note: Under Akhenaten, this position was filled by Tuthmose, but
for the purpose of simplicity, it will be filled by his successor Huy.
Aziru
Aziru, Egyptian Vassal and Caananite King of the Allied Kingdom of Amurru, has
lost faith in the Pharaoh Akhenaten, and no longer believes that he will give any
aid to Amurru. Determined to strengthen his kingdom at any cost, Aziru has
turned his eye to the neighboring kingdom of Byblos to fortify himself against the
Hittites. Conquering Byblos would significantly increase the status of Amurru;
the only obstacle is Akhenaten’s potential wrath for turning on a former ally. As a
relatively young ruler, compared to his neighbors, Aziru’s rise to power is
characterized by his hot temper and rash decisions. He is a fierce leader and
commander known for his commitment to his people and his tendency for swift
and drastic action.
Rib-Hadda
Egyptian Vassal and King of Byblos, Rib-Hadda’s current position is a precarious
one: his country has not received any aid from the Pharaoh in their struggle to
keep the Hittites away from their borders. As the King of Byblos, the weakest of
the three allied kingdoms, Rib-Hadda faces the conquering army of Amurru,
which may easily overtake Byblos’ borders. He worries that Egypt has abandoned
12
its allies, leaving them to face the Hittite threat on their own. Rib-Hadda fears the
consequences of the King of Mitanni’s open disapproval of the Pharaoh, but sees
in him a potential ally for Byblos’ predicament.
Tushratta
Tushratta, King of Mitanni, is the head of a kingdom with a very strained alliance
with Egypt. His primary objective is to get the reparations from Akhenaten’s
reneged promise of payment for assisting Egypt in the last battle with the
Hittites. A shrewd and calculating ruler, Tushratta holds wealth and financial
stability as the one true measure of a kingdom’s worth. He disregards the
religious tension in Egypt as Akhenaten’s failure to pay off the right people and
solve the root problem: dissenters. The King of Mitanni values effective politics,
alliances, and policy over the support of his people, priorities that Tushratta does
not believe that he and Akhenaten share. He does not support the current royal
court, which he feels does not hold its allies in high regard.
Amenhasura
Serving as High Scribe and Keeper of the House of Life makes Amenhasura the
head of the highly revered cultural center of knowledge: he holds all books,
scrolls, tablets, and governmental communication. The Keeper of the House of
Life attends to the court officials who come to the House to seek advice and
wisdom from the scribes. Although there are multiple locations in the major
cities, all Houses are regarded as one united House of Life. The High Scribe is
very aware of the current international state of affairs, as all diplomatic and
governmental letters go through him. A small, elderly man, Amenhasura holds a
place of high respect among the court. He is never one for rash action, and trusts
the power of diplomacy and carefully laid plans. A faithful believer in the
workings of time and the universe’s tendency to restore maat, Amenhasura is
known for his peaceful demeanor but cunning strategy, a characteristic that
makes him a strong friend of the former queen Tiye.
Meritaten
Meritaten is the wife of Smenkhare and the pharaoh’s eldest daughter, who
maintains the relationship of the royal family and the priesthood of Amun Re.
Both an important political and religious office, the God’s Wife of Amun must
attend and mediate all official matters relating to the priesthood on behalf of the
royal family. As the official religion transitions to Atenism, Meritaten must
navigate a change in her position or lose her sacred title. She works closely with
the Overseer of Prophets, although his role is more administrative while
Meritaten’s role balances the political, religious, and ceremonial aspects of the
royal family’s relationship to the gods.
Bek
As the Royal Sculptor, Bek is responsible for all of the decoration of the palaces
and temples, as well as the artistic vision and representations of the gods and the
royal family. A new religion requires a vast number of new statues and carvings of
the Sun God, leaving Bek with the task of creating the visual aspects of Atenism.
In Ancient Egypt, art and religion were inextricably intertwined: for many
Egyptians, the physical representations of the gods were truly the gods
themselves. As a result, Bek is the most vocal supporter of Atenism in the royal
court, as his influence over the future of the religion could easily be given to
another, more zealous sculptor. The more spiritual members of the committee
respect Bek for his religiously artistic visions that have a near-prophetic quality,
although the others view him as a radical.
13
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