Within a generation after the death of Akhenaton, Atonism was dead, and
its leading exponent was contemptuously called, "that criminal of
Akhetaton." The religion never had a popular base, and that
disintegration of the empire might effectively be charged to the
displeasure of Amon at his neglect. The government was moved back to
Thebes, and Akhenaton's son-in-law, Tutankhaton ("the living image of
Aton"), became Tutankhamon ("the living image of Amon"). The cycle was
now complete. Thebes and Amon had been restored to their former place of
supremacy, the monuments erected by Akhenaton were defaced and the Aton
temple was removed stone by stone. By the time of Moses, Akhetaton was
abandoned completely, and Atonism had been forgotten.
[Illustration: Akhenaton Worshiping Aton. Akhenaton, his wife
Nofretete, and one of their daughters stand with hands raised as they
present offerings to Aton. Rays from the sun disk end in hands, two of
which hold the Egyptian sign of life (ankh) before the faces of the
Pharaoh and his queen.]
V
THE HYMN TO THE ATON
Our most important source for knowledge of the Aton cult is found in the
tombs of the nobles east of Akhetaton. These tombs include reliefs
bearing hymns in praise to Aton and to his son, Akhenaton. Either the
Pharaoh composed them himself, or they were composed by courtiers who
had completely assimilated the religious convictions which were basic to
his reforms. The so-called long hymn to Aton not only extols the glories
of the god of Akhenaton, but it also contains expressions which have
become a part of Egyptian, and even Hebrew devotional literature. The
Long Hymn was inscribed on the walls of the tomb prepared for the priest
and courtier Eye who had known Akhenaton from his youth.[10] James H.
Breasted suggested that it was an excerpt from the ritual of the Aton
temple.[11]