Explore
Akhetaten by clicking on any of the links below.
Location
Boundaries
Layout
North Palace
Location
Akhetaten
lies midway between Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, and Thebes,
home of the cult of the false god Amon-Re. More than 20,000 people
live here to serve the Aten, the royal family, and Egypt. The move
to Akhetaten has allowed the pharaoh and his family to throw off
the oppression of heretic
priests, whose criminal behavior has caused the pharaoh no end
of trouble and whose actions will be punished.
Boundaries
The
pharaoh established the boundaries
of Akhetaten with 15 stelae
carved into the sheer limestone cliffs that ring the city. The first
two of these stelae, set to the north and south, established an
axis along which all the citys temples are aligned.
Layout
The
Nile River divides this desert city in two parts. On the west bank
of the river lie the farm fields. On the east bank sit the temples
and palaces, businesses, workshops, wharves, storage facilities,
and residences. A smaller area for cultivation follows the eastern
riverbank. Akhetaten extends along the Nile for about 7
miles and inland for about 3 miles.
Residences
Homes
for Akhetatens nobles, court officials, private citizens,
and workers lie mainly south of city. Nearly all homes are made
of mud bricks, though larger homes may use stone for doorways and
other support features. The houses of the wealthy are square, with
a central living room whose walls rise above the outer walls of
the house. They boast gardens, granaries, and bathing rooms. All
homes contain at least one shrine for the worship of the Aten and
the pharaoh.
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A
typical country estate has a shallow pool enclosed in a courtyard.
The pool serves as a decoration but also is stocked with fish.
Wealthy families have a number of servants and own at least
one dog and several cats. Girls play with dolls and often
wear their hair in pigtails. Boys have their heads shaved,
except for a braided lock on one side.
World
Book illustration by Linden Artists Ltd.
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Workers
Village
Workers
live in comfortable homes in the Eastern Village. This settlement
consists of six rows of houses laid out along five streets running
north and south. All houses here are built to a standard plan. Each
is 33
feet by 13 feet and features an entry hall, central living room,
and two smaller rooms, including a kitchen. Stairwells lead to the
roof and provide ventilation.
North
Suburb
The
most prominent structure in the North Suburb is the North Riverside Palace. This Palace contains a large villa for the
royal family as well as fertile gardens and a chapel.
North
Palace
The
North Palace was given to Princess Meritaten, the pharaohs
eldest daughter, when she came of age. It features luxurious living
areas as well as a magnificent throne room, large reception areas,
outdoor altars, and a huge facility for keeping
animals. Courtyards with exquisite floor and wall paintings
of plants and animals delight the royal eyes. An elegant formal
garden receives nourishment from the Nile by means of a sophisticated
irrigation system.
To
explore the religious and administrative heart of Akhetaten, click
on The Central City.
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