Researchers continue to speculate about how such a massive structure could have been built during that time. Perhaps his most well-known contribution to Egypt was the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, a monument that is still standing today. King Khufu ruled during the Old Kingdom, the second Pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty. These physical attributes are thought to be symptoms of Marfan Syndrome. These characteristics included elongated necks and arms, bloated stomachs, and weak muscle definition. Akhenaten also contributed to the arts by promoting and encouraging realistic artwork, insisting that artists represent the royal family by their true characteristics. One of his wives, Nefertiti, is depicted making sacrifices in many artworks of the time. This became the first monotheistic religion of the region. He then went on to change the state religion, claiming that Aten, god of the solar disc, was the only Egyptian god. At this point of time, he also changed his name to Akhenaten. In his fifth year, he built a new capital at Amarna and named it Akhetaten. At the beginning of his rule, he commissioned a temple for the god Aten. However, overcoming all the challenges, she still became a ruler.Īkhenaten, at birth named Amenhotep IV, was the son of Amenhotep III. During her time, it was been nearly impossible for a woman to rule Egypt and even more rare to serve as Pharaoh. During this time, she ordered various building projects and sent tradesmen into Punt to bring back foreign goods. Her rule lasted for nearly 20 years, from 1473 until 1458 BC. She insisted it was her right to rule based on her bloodline and wore the symbols of a king. His son, by a different wife, was too young to assume the position at the time and Hatshepsut first became his regent. HatshepsutĪnother Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, Hatshepsut, became the ruler when her husband and half-brother, Thutmose II died. His son Akhenaten (discussed below) went on to become king. Rather than pursuing military conquests, Amenhotep III focused his administration on pursuing diplomatic relationships, building monuments, and encouraging the arts. Because of this, he was made a fertility God. He is remembered most for the abundant crops that were harvested under his reign.

Amenhotep III was the ruler for 38 years during the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom.

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