The temple was small and hastily thrown together of timber and clay, and it was unlike other temples, being open in the middle, where the altar stood. No god was to be seen so that the puzzled soldiers looked about to find him. Horemheb said:

“His god is round and like the sun’s disk, so look to the sky if your eyes can endure the brightness. He holds out his hands over you in benediction, though my mind misgives me that today after your march his fingers upon your backs will feel like red-hot needles.”

But the soldiers murmured that Pharaoh’s god was too distant. They desired a god before whom they might prostrate themselves and whom they might touch with their hands if they dared. But they fell silent as the priest stepped forward, a slim youth with unshaven head, who bore a white cloth over his shoulder. His eyes were clear and eager, and upon the altar he offered up colourful spring flowers and oil and wine, until the soldiers started laughing out loud. He also sang a hymn to Aten that was said to have been composed by Pharaoh. It was very long and monotonous, and the men listened to it with open mouths and without any comprehension. He sang like this:

“Most beautiful are you upon the horizon, Living Aten, source of all things living! When you rise in the eastern sky

All lands are filled with your glory.

Fair you are, great and radiant, high above the world.

Your beams embrace all lands you have created,

And bound together with the rays of your love,

Far you are, yet your rays touch the ground,

Exalted you are, yet the soles of your feet touch the soil.”

Then the priest described the darkness and the lions that slink from their lairs by night and the serpents, and many of those who listened were afraid. He described the day’s brightness and declared that when the birds spread their wings in the morning, it was in adoration of Aten. He declared also that this new god quickened the baby in the womb and gave fertility to the seed of man. Listening to him, one might fancy that there was not one tiny thing in the world with which Aten did not concern himself, nor could even a chick crack its shell and cheep without Aten’s help. And he continued:

 

 

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“So numerous are your deeds,

that happen in secret from us,

Oh the only god, whose power no other god has.

Alone you created the world to your liking,

Man and cattle and large and small animals,

Everything that is on earth and walks,

Everything that is in air and flies,

The Syrian and Nubian lands,

And the land of Egypt,

Everyone you set to their places,

And give everyone what they need,

Everyone has their place,

And you have numbered their days,

Many languages they speak to your liking,

Their colour and shape are different,

That is how you separate men from each other.”

Yet he assured, it was Aten who had created both the earthly Nile and the heavenly Nile, so that officers murmured he was interfering in Amun’s affairs. He had created the seasons and lived in millions of shapes in cities, villages and colonies, in rivers and roads. And he came to an end:

“You alone dwell in my heart

And no man knows you

but the King your son.

You share your thoughts with him

And anoint him with your power.

The world lies between your hands

As you created it,

By your light do men live,

And if you veil from them, they die,

You are the life

And through you men live.

All eyes are turned toward your glory, Until the hour of your setting,

 

 

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