Egyptian Belief System
The Egyptian belief system was complex which were primarily composed of polytheism, magic, politics, and a steadfast belief in an afterlife. However, the absolute authority of the Egyptian ruler was the determining factor when it came to which belief system would be implemented during their respective reign. Therefore, there was direct correlation between the ruler and artistic architecture specifically related to their individual belief system. The history of ancient Egypt is divided into three major periods of political stability and cultural growth, along with many changes in Egyptian leadership known as the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Egyptian rulers and their gods were ever present in many examples of Egyptian art throughout the many changes in leadership. The depictions of these relationships, however, were not always consistent from ruler to ruler, dynasty to dynasty. The Votive Palette of King Narmer, 3150-3125 B. C., Seated Statue of Khafre, 2570-2544 B.C., and Akhenaten With Nefertiti and Their Children, 1384-1336 B.C., are three prime examples of the differences in depiction from one period to another. One of the earliest surviving works of art, the Votive Palette of King
More examples of the ruler's divine role are the two lions engraved on the armrest of the sturdy stone statue. Due to the change of belief many pieces of architecture during the Amarna period depict a more tranquil environment with an emphasis on equality. The relationship between the two characters is depicted as that of a partnership. Narmer's dominating size and central position on the front side of the work point to his importance; whereas, his sandal-bearer and defeated rivals are smaller in size and thus, less important. Aten is depicted as a pure circular shape contrary to previous depictions of gods in human or animal form. And, indeed, the artist's intention was to create a sculpture that to serve its purpose has to endure for eternity. The Egyptian sky god Horus is again depicted in this work in an even more protecting role, demonstrating the god's divine protection of "his" ruler. Depictions of Egyptian rulers in this way were unseen before Akhenaten reign. Ultimately , similar to previous gods, Aten plays a similar role as protector of the divine ruler which demonstrates the supreme role and transcendent power of the Egyptian king throughout the three main periods of Ancient Egypt. With this came the creation of much of the surviving art and architecture from ancient Egypt which included such artifacts as the pyramids along with the colossal statue of Khafre as the god Hu, later known as the Great Sphinx. Akhenaten was devoted to the worship of a single god named Aten. Another very distinct difference in this work is in the depiction of the god Aten, the sun disk god. This is why the relief shows a very naturalistic view of the human body in that the proportions are not idealized. Although the children are shown in unnatural proportions, their freedom of movement and childlike behavior show emotion unseen in previous works.
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