Final answer:
The religious switch occurred around 1350 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who enacted a shift to monotheistic worship centered around the sun god Aten. Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti became divine intermediaries, reducing the influence of traditional priests. This radical change was brief and Egypt reverted back to its customary polytheistic practices after Akhenaten's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Religious Revolution of Akhenaten
The religious switch referred to in the question occurred around 1350 BCE when Pharaoh Akhenaten, previously known as Amenhotep IV, initiated a radical change in ancient Egyptian religion. He established a form of monotheism by endorsing the worship of Aten, an aspect of the sun god Ra, and declared that Aten was the sole god. This was a significant departure from the traditional polytheistic beliefs of the Egyptians. Akhenaten also proclaimed himself and his wife, Nefertiti, as divine intermediaries, which diminished the power and influence of the traditional priesthood. The Amarna Period, as it is known, was marked by significant stylistic changes in art and was a brief episode in Egypt’s history, as the nation returned to its traditional religious practices after Akhenaten’s death.
During his reign, Akhenaten moved the capital to a new city, Akhetaten, and took measures to suppress the worship of other gods, such as defacing inscriptions that referenced them. His motivations for these changes have been the subject of much speculation. Some theories suggest a sincere belief, while others postulate a strategic move to reduce the power of the priests and consolidate religious authority directly under the pharaoh. Nonetheless, the religious switch was short-lived, as the traditional cults, especially those devoted to Amun, resumed prominence after Akhenaten’s passing.