They Would Be Gods

The pharaohs of the Old Kingdom created colossal wonders that reference and revere nothing but their own uniqueness. But by the New Kingdom, as they sought not just obedience but worship, Egypt’s rulers allied themselves with and heavily funded various cult centers, especially the one in the city the Greeks named Thebes. The twinned temples of Karnak and Luxor were lavishly expanded, by Amenhotep III, Ramesses II, and others. The main beneficiary of this largess was the resident priesthood of Amen Ra, which became a power center rivaling the monarchy. When Amenhotep’s son Akhenaten had a religious revelation, closed the cult centers, built a new holy city, and preached a monotheistic gospel of love and forgiveness, he of course brought on his own destruction. His son, Tutankhamen, went back to paying off the priests, and his father’s legacy, even his inclusion in the roster of rulers, was mostly erased.Read more