Akhenaten
Heretic Pharaoh
I'm sure the "modern" monotheists would like to believe that the glory of ancient Egypt was part of their history. I'm sure they feel the need to believe that their origins lie in having gained their god-given freedom from an Evil Master Race™. I'm sure they would like to think that their fairytales gain credence by attempting to incorporate real historical figures into them, such as the mighty Ramses.
None of this wishful thinking, however, alters the fact that the different brands of monotheism we see today began as the simple theology of illiterate goatherders, and not as some kind of offshoot from the enlightenment of Amarna.
None of this wishful thinking, however, alters the fact that the different brands of monotheism we see today began as the simple theology of illiterate goatherders, and not as some kind of offshoot from the enlightenment of Amarna.