Akhnaten (d. c.1362 bc) Ancient Egyptian king of the 18th dynasty (r. c.1379–1362 bc). He succeeded his father, Amenhotep III, as Amenhotep IV. In an attempt to overthrow the influence of the priests of the Temple of Amun at Luxor, he renounced the old gods and introduced an almost monotheistic worship of the sun god, Aten. He adopted the name Akhnaten and established a new capital at Akhetaten (modern Tell el-Amarna). After his death Tutankhamun reinstated Amun as national god, and the capital reverted to Luxor.

Akhnaten. Opera in 3 acts by Glass to lib. by composer, S. Goldman, R. Israel, and R. Riddell. Comp. 1980–3. F.p. Stuttgart 1984, Houston 1984, London (ENO) 1985.