Akhenaten (Part 11): Foreigners Submit.

By 1351 BCE, Akhenaten had achieved many of his early goals. His city, Akhet-Aten, was established, his religious ideas were reaching maturity, and the King could begin to express his vision of Aten in a new way. Finally, pharaoh could celebrate his mastery over foreign populations. Thus, in 1351 BCE, Egypt played host to a grand celebration of tribute…

The Festival of Tribute

All images Davies 1905, vols. II and III.

Right-Click > Open Image for full resolution.

121. Akhenaten and Nefertiti riding to the tribute (D3 10) Nefertiti puts her arm around his waist
Akhenaten and Nefertiti en route to the celebration.
121. Durbar Royal Family (D2 plate 37) 1
Akhenaten, Nefertiti and their daughters enthroned in a kiosk, receiving the tribute.
121. Durbar full scene (D2 plate 37)
The full tribute scene from the tomb of Meryre.

121. Southerners (D2 plate 37) 1
Southerners bringing tribute, including metal, ivory, shields and weapons (top).

121. Bedouin (D2 plate 37) 3
Bedouin (pharaoh’s troops?) approaching in obeisance.
121. southerners 3 captives (Davies 3 plate 14)
Southern prisoners.
121. Foreign prisoners (Hittites) (Davies 3 plate xiv).
Northern prisoners.
121. Foreigners at Meryre's promotion (D2 plate 35) detail
Northerners approaching the throne.
121. Foreign gifts Aegean vases (D3 plate 14)
Aegean-style vases in the tribute.
121. Foreign musicians (bottom) and Egyptian dignitaries (Davies 3, plate VII) - Copy
Northern musicians.
121. Foreign presentation (D2 plate 37) 6 wrestlers - Copy
Wrestlers (left) and boxers (centre).

Bibliography

John Coleman Darnell and Colleen Manassa, Tutankhamun’s Armies: Battle and Conquest during Ancient Egypt’s Late Eighteenth Dynasty, 2007.

Benedict G. Davies, Egyptian Historical Records of the Later Eighteenth Dynasty, vol. VI, 1995.

Norman De Garis Davies and Seymour De Ricci, The Rock Tombs of El Amarna, Volume II: The Tombs of Panehesy and Meryra II, 1905.

Norman De Garis Davies and Seymour De Ricci, The Rock Tombs of El Amarna, Volume III: The Tombs of Huya and Ahmes, 1905.

Barry J. Kemp, The City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and Its People, 2012/2014.

William J. Murnane, Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, 1995.

William Moran, The Amarna Letters, 1993.

Alan R. Schulman, “Some Observations on the Military Background of the Amarna Period.” Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 3 (1964): 51-69.

Alan R. Schulman, “Hittites, Helmets and Amarna: Akhenaten’s First Hittite War,” in Donald B. Redford, The Akhenaten Temple Projec, Volume II: Rwd-Mnw and Inscriptions, 1988.

Anthony J. Spalinger, War in Ancient Egypt, 2005.