Question: Did people of Pharaoh believe in multiple gods or only one god?

 The ancient people of Egypt held a fascinating belief system regarding their Pharaoh. They considered the Pharaoh to be part-man and part-god. According to their doctrine, the Pharaoh was an earthly incarnation of Horus, the falcon-headed god ¹. This unique perspective elevated the Pharaoh to a divine status, intertwining their earthly rule with spiritual significance.

However, it’s essential to note that this view evolved over time, and different Pharaohs had varying religious practices. One notable exception was Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled during the 14th Dynasty. Akhenaten, born as Amenhotep IV, embarked on a radical path. In his 4th or 5th year of rule, he experienced a profound transformation. He changed his name to Akhenaten and declared that the sun god Aten appeared to him in a dream, revealing that Aten was the supreme and only god. Akhenaten openly expressed his dissatisfaction with traditional Egyptian beliefs and sought to replace the pantheon of over 2,000 deities with the worship of Aten alone ².

In summary, while the majority of Pharaohs were associated with multiple gods, Akhenaten stands out as a unique ruler who championed monotheism during his reign.