Akhenaten; also known as Amenhotep IV; was king of Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty and reigned from 1375 to 1358 B.C. E. Called the "religious revolutionary;" he is the earliest known creator of a new religion. The cult he founded broke with Egypt's traditional polytheism and focused its worship on a single deity; the sun god Aten. Erik Hornung; one of the world's preeminent Egyptologists; here offers a concise and accessible account of Akhenaten and his religion of light.Hornung begins with a discussion of the nineteenth-century scholars who laid the foundation for our knowledge of Akhenaten's period and extends to the most recent archaeological finds. He emphasizes that Akhenaten's monotheistic theology represented the first attempt in history to explain the entire natural and human world on the basis of a single principle. "Akhenaten made light the absolute reference point;" Hornung writes; "and it is astonishing how clearly and consistently he pursued this concept." Hornung also addresses such topics as the origins of the new religion; pro-found changes in beliefs regarding the afterlife; and the new Egyptian capital at Akhetaten which was devoted to the service of Aten; his prophet Akhenaten; and the latter's family.
#1293868 in Books Cornell University Press 2013-01-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .60 x 6.00l; .65 #File Name: 0801478804248 pages
Review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. War on Sacred GroundsBy Wee BeyIn this excellent study; Ron Hassner analyzes why sacred spaces are so frequently the subject of seemingly intractable conflict and what can be done to manage violence over these sites.Hassner identifies five widespread factors that have historically fueled competition over sacred space among rival religious groups or between religious and secular entities. Once competition over these sites begins; the indivisibly of sacred space makes conflicts extremely difficult to manage and impossible to resolve. Traditional territorial disputes between nation-states can often be arbitrated through division; compensation; cession or a myriad of other means. However; Hassner argues that sacred sites are monolithic spaces with clearly delineated and inflexible boundaries for which no substitute can be offered. These factors make sacred space indivisible; which in turn precludes the effective use of conflict resolution mechanics to arbitrate disputes. Because these conflicts involve religious ideals and absolute and transcendent values; there is simply no way parties to the dispute can willingly accept compromise or substitution.While the nature of these disputes may preclude their successful resolution; Hassner demonstrates that they can be managed and violence over sacred places mitigated. Doing so; however; requires policymakers take actors within these disputes; along with their claims and concerns; seriously. While seemingly commonsensical; Hassner notes that in practice; this is rarely achieved. A key problem is that policymakers approach disputes over sacred space through either a Huntingtonian lens; which sees religion as a wholly irrational force that is better ignored than engaged; or through a Hobbesian framework; which views religiously motivated actions as a pretext for political concerns; and hence assumes these issues can be arbitrated like any other political dispute. Approaching a dispute over sacred space through either of these conceptual lenses is a recipe for failure. Mitigating these disputes; Hassner argues; requires policymakers to understand the content of religious beliefs; while recognizing that the religious elements of the conflict cannot be delinked from the conflict's political aspects. Whenever possible; policymakers should enlist respected religious leaders in conflict mitigation; as these are the only individuals who can credibly reshape the meaning and value of sacred sites and convey this new meaning to their followers.One of the volume's greatest strengths is the author's ability and willingness to bring a nuanced understanding of the doctrines; rituals and rites that comprise various faiths; and to engage seriously the concerns of actors that lead to conflict over sacred space. Hassner's study is immensely valuable and should be read by social scientists; policymakers and anyone with an interest in conflict over sacred grounds.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. As a political scientist...By ErzeThe attempt and plea for international relations scholars to acknowledge that religion is an indivisible subject was appreciated. The content analyses coupled with knowledge of methodological and epistemological approaches utilized by political scientists made a convincing argument.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Beautifully Written Analysis of a Fascinating SubjectBy Jay P.A ground breaking and thoroughly researched effort to explain the intractability of conflicts over sacred sites; with fascinating examples and analysis.An academic study; carefully documented; but beautifully written and a great read. Every American (and other) policymaker should read this.Hassner has been called "...the leading scholar of religion and violence in the United States today..."; and this volume makes it clear why.
