Talk: Ancient Egypt’s Religious Revolution – The Amarna Heresy

The changes in state religion instigated by the pharaoh Akhenaten can be considered revolutionary. The move to one state god, the radical changes in art style and the foundation of a new capital was so shocking that not long after his father’s death Akhenaten’s son Tutankhamun instigated a rapid return to orthodoxy. This talk by John Billman is designed for those new to the subject will introduce the history, art and artefacts of the period and help us consider not just the death of Tutankhamun but the significance of his reign in life. John Billman is a continuing education tutor in Egyptology for the University of Oxford, the WEA and other organizations. John is a resident of West Berkshire and Chairman of the Reading-based Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society and combines teaching with fieldwork in Luxor, Egypt as part of the South Asasif Conservation Project. He has an MA in Egyptian Archaeology from UCL and his special interests include archaism in ancient Egypt and material culture generally. Bookings close at 4pm on Tuesday 19 March. Book online: https://tinyurl.com/4k5rmn3y Wednesday 20 March | 7pm | West Berkshire Museum | £5