A note on the psychological and philosophical aspects of Egyptian monotheism

The occurrence of monotheism in Egypt at the end of the 18th Dynasty can be explained as a causal outcome of preceding circumstances and need not be ascribed to the unique qualities of Akhnaton's thinking. It resulted from the ever-increasing affluence and a concomitant intensification in the belief of the king's divinity that characterized much of the history of the 18th Dynasty. Conversely, the decline of monotheism was caused by the deterioration in Egypt's security and material welfare, which in turn led Akhnaton to suppress all references to the other gods. As these measures brought no improvement, a restoration was inevitable. (OEB)