King of Egypt of the 18th dynasty (c.
1379-1362 BC), who may have ruled jointly for
a time with his father Amenhotep III. He
developed the cult of the Sun, Aton, rather
than the rival cult of Ammon. Some historians
believe that his attention to religious
reforms rather than imperial defence led to
the loss of most of Egypt's possessions in
Asia. His favourite wife was Nefertiti, and
two of their six daughters were married to
his successors Smenkhare and Tutankaton
(later known as Tutankhamen).