Explanation: Pharaoh Akhenaten of Ancient Egypt attempted to institute, during his reign, a monotheistic faith wherein only the Sun-god, Aten, was worshipped.
… this did not outlast his reign, and his successor quickly abolished the monotheistic heresy and returned to polytheistic worship of the Egyptian pantheon.
To add to this, the context of the original photo is a home in Hollywood in 1923 from a member of the (obviously) deeply prejudiced “Hollywood Protective Association,” with signs installed as part of a push by some residents to evict the Japanese-American community and curb additional settlement by non-white people.
As far as I can tell from a cursory search, there was no real material motivation at all, just racism and xenophobia following an increased number of Japanese migrants.
Explanation: Pharaoh Akhenaten of Ancient Egypt attempted to institute, during his reign, a monotheistic faith wherein only the Sun-god, Aten, was worshipped.
… this did not outlast his reign, and his successor quickly abolished the monotheistic heresy and returned to polytheistic worship of the Egyptian pantheon.
@PugJesus They also tried to literally erase them from their recorded history. Fascinating stuff.
Thankfully not all of it was destroyed, including one of the most famous works of ancient Egyptian art, the Bust of Nefertiti, Akhenaten’s wife. But I also like this delightful relief (?) of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and their three children.
The pharaoh that succeeded Akhenaten? His son Tutenkhamun. King Tut… Tutenkh-Amun… in honor of God Amun.
Edit: likely he had his mother or someone reign first for a short time while he was s child but eventually him.
Tutankhamun was originally named Tutankhaten. He changed it when he swapped to the cult of Amun.
To add to this, the context of the original photo is a home in Hollywood in 1923 from a member of the (obviously) deeply prejudiced “Hollywood Protective Association,” with signs installed as part of a push by some residents to evict the Japanese-American community and curb additional settlement by non-white people.
As far as I can tell from a cursory search, there was no real material motivation at all, just racism and xenophobia following an increased number of Japanese migrants.
Bullshit. Many of us still worship the sun disk.
Neigh. Board. Hood.
Here’s a fantastic breakdown of the life and troubles of Akhenaten.
Neat fact: Akhenaten’s son is one of the most famous Egyptian pharoahs, Tutankhamun.