Why did Akhenatens experiment with monotheism fail?

Answer 1

Prior to his reign the many priesthoods were very powerful, and slowly over long periods of Egyptian history they whittled away at Pharoah's power. Trying to consolidate power and centralize it in the person of Pharoah wasn't a bad idea, but Akhenaten's approach was much too radical and extreme. At one point, Pharoah was seen as the High Priest of every cult. Akhenaten obliterated the cults. The priesthoods fought to get their power back, and it didn't take them long.

Answer 2

A:It is likely that a plague that struck about the time of Akhenaten's death was seen as a sign that Akhenaten had offended the other gods of Egypt. In any case, it is likely that all the old gods had continued to be worshipped outside the royal capital during his lifetime.

Answer 3

Monotheism had no connection with the Egyptian past. The Egyptians were accustomed to polytheism, the worship of many gods.