The Origin
There was a controversial ancient king in Egypt who renounced his name, religion, and city. He was from Thebes, the capital city of Luxor. This story dates back to three thousand four hundred years ago, Akhenaten, the pharaoh, built a city where he lived with his wife, Nefertiti. He was a worshipper of the sun.
After the death of Akhenaten, his son Tutankhamun inherited the throne and ruled Egypt. According to the legend, he ditched the legacy of his great father. But the question arises that for what reasons Akhenaten left Thebes. It was a city that enjoyed the status of ancient Egypt’s capital for more than one and a half-century. It will be an interesting read undoubtedly.
The Quest for Answers
The discovery of a grand and industrial metropolis within the city of Thebes that Akhenaten received as a legacy from Amenhotep III, his father, might provide several answers. This discovery, which has recently earned the name the lost golden city of Luxor. And it is the root cause for all the speculation, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of controversy. Since unearthing the lost city in September 2020, the archaeologists have only been able to lay their hands on just the surface.
They have realized that this discovery certainly holds great Egyptological significance. However, its rank is not yet certified. The researchers have been highly impressed by the preservation they have been able to unearth so far. The find is phenomenal in all respects, and the team of archaeologists would agree on this point. Thebes is not less than Pompeii’s Egyptian version.
The Findings So Far
The site reveals some fascinating facts about Amenhotep III, the 18th dynasty Pharaoh. Amenhotep III ruled Thebes from 1986 to 1353 B.C. He was the ruler of an era famous for its abundant power, wealth, and luxury.
Akhenaten was there beside him as a ruler during his final years. However, Akhenaten died. Akhenaten, the ruler of Thebes from 1353 to 1336, parted ways with everything his father believed in.
Events That Changed History
Throughout those 17 years that he reigned, he discarded almost everything that Egyptian culture stood for. The only thing that he stuck to was worshipping Aten, the sun god. His original name was Amenhotep IV. But he even changed it to Akhenaten. Akhenaten means devoted to Aten. He left Thebes, which was his royal seat, and set up a new city, Akhetaten. He transformed stiff and uniform Egyptian art and gave it an animated and detailed shape.
After he left for his heavenly abode, major obliteration by the successor changed the course of history. When Tutankhamun ascended the throne, his art, religion, capital, and even the name of Akhenaten were erased from the pages of history. The controversial transformation took place over the years. But what strikes the archaeologists the most is how was life when Amenhotep II ruled Thebes? The recently discovered city could provide a host of clues the archaeologists are looking for. To the north of Thebes lies his mortuary temple from the 14th century B.C. You can find the mortuary temple named Medinet Habu that came up for Ramses III two centuries later to the south. Although the experts have not been able to determine the size of Thebes, the date is pretty much evident.
The Great Gain For The Archeologists
When Akhenaten sat on the throne and deviated from his father’s legacy, he left everything behind. That particular loss has, of course, proved to be a great gain for the archaeologists. The city is beautiful from all sides, and no one can deny the grandeur that Thebes stands for. The preserved streets with tall walls around them exude Egyptian culture from that era.
There is everything extraordinary about it. In a nutshell, archaeologists use the term ‘mindblowing’ to describe it. Akhenaten’s son probably reused the city. Tutankhamun went on to establish Memphis as his new capital. Ay, the next ruler of the city, used it. He tied the knot with Tutankhamun’s wife after his death. Another finding from the site proves four other settlements between the third and seventh centuries A.D.
After that, it was buried under the sands until the archaeologists found it a few days back. The hope is that the years ahead will unearth more and more information. And interesting discoveries will be made, which will reveal a whole range of facts giving a clearer picture.
