Search for the truth through monotheism and pantheism in ancient Egypt - A journey to an one-god religion of Aton and Amun

The world of Ancient Egypt is a mirror of a age of divinity and glory. More than 1500 gods ruled this culture for thousands of years. Two gods of this long list of deities deserve attention; Aton and Amun. Aton is known as the first god of monotheism in history. Amun became a god of a pantheistic concept during the Ramesside period (1292 BC- 1070 BC). In this study, it was aimed to research how both gods find the way to an one-God religion. Akhenaton (BC 1351-BC1335), a member of the 18. dynasty, who reigned during the time of the New Kingdom, was the creator of Atenism. He built a new theological concept, which accepted only the sun god pictured as the sun disc with its rays. The pharao fought against the traditional egyptian gods, so he ordered to erase the names of gods from the temples, particularly the name of Amun. After the Amarna period the cult of Aton was abandoned and the kingdom returned to its old tradition with Amun on the top of the pantheon. But it began a new era of Amun, the king of gods. The clergy developed the theological concept of Amun which is documented in hymns and prayers. The pantheistic character of Amun shaped slowly the religious thinking during the Ramesside period. İn the end, Amun was the god of truth, the other gods are parts of his body, likewise the elements light, air and water. İn fact, the whole world was a manifestation of Amun's ba, his soul. Keywords: Ancient Egypt, God, Aton, Amun