Circa 1353-1336 B.C.E.
King, Dynasty 18

Beginnings. Akhenaten was the second son of King Amenhotep III of Dynasty 18 (circa 1539-1295/ 1292 B.C.E.) and his wife Tiye. When his older brother Thutmose died young, he became the crown prince. It is possible that Akhenaten served for a time as co-regent (co-king) with his father, but the evidence for a co-regency is disputed. When his father died around 1353 B.C.E., he ascended to the throne as Amenhotep IV. He was married to the beautiful Nefertiti, as his Great Royal Wife. She may have been his cousin, although this is uncertain. He was also married to a woman named Kiya, who may have been a Mitannian princess. By Nefertiti, Akhenaten had six daughters, three of whom died in infancy. It is also possible that he was the father of Tutankhamun (born Tutankhaten), but, as with so much...