Final answer:
Atenism was a monotheistic religion established by Pharaoh Akhenaten, focusing worship on the sun god Aten as the only deity, radically changing Egyptian religion and society by shifting divine access through the pharaoh and undermining the established priesthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nature and Significance of Atenism:
Atenism was a religious reform in ancient Egypt that took place during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep IV, who is better known as Akhenaten. This monotheistic belief system centered around the worship of Aten, the sun god, whom Akhenaten promoted as the supreme deity. Rejecting the traditional Egyptian polytheistic religion, Akhenaten established Aten as the sole god, a radical shift in the theological and cultural norms of the time.Akhenaten's religious innovations were reflected in his art, which depicted him and his queen Nefertiti receiving life directly from Aten, symbolized by rays ending in hands offering the ankh, the Egyptian sign of life.
The significance of Atenism lies in its revolutionary nature, challenging the powerful priestly class and altering the dynamics of Egyptian worship. Despite its brief existence, Atenism had a profound impact on Egyptian society and religious practices. After Akhenaten's death, his religious reforms were largely reversed, and traditional polytheism was restored. Hence, Atenism remains a notable, albeit short-lived, episode in the history of ancient Egyptian religion.