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[[File:Akhenaten_as_a_Sphinx_(Kestner_Museum).jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Akhenaten as a Sphinx with the Sun God]]The first monotheistic religion developed in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Akhenaten, but it failed to gain a foothold and disappeared soon after his death. Monotheism did not become a permanent fixture in the world until the adoption of monotheism by Hebrews in Babylon. While monotheism is often seen as something that has derived from Judaism, the history of how monotheism became pervasive and expanded beyond Judaism is complex. Integrating both historical and archaeological data, we find that the rise of monotheism has been influenced by key political events. These political events help transform not just these early monotheistic faiths but also by extension many parts of the world today.

====First Evidence of Monotheism==What was the first Monotheist Religion? ==How did monotheism start? The first evidence of monotheism emerges from Egypt in the 14th century BCE (1353-1336 BC) during the reign of Akhenaten.<ref>For information about Akhenaten see: Reeves, Nicholas. 2005. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0500051062/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0500051062&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=677e84cbaa3df8a547a903e9e58c82b0 Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Prophet]''. 1. Aufl. London: Thames & Hudson.</ref> The king was known to have worshiped Aten, the sun disk god (Figure 1). While initially, Akhenaten allowed the worship of many gods, as Egyptian kings had always done so, by the 5th year of his reign there was a decisive movement move that made the worship of Aten the only recognized cult religion in the countrykingdom.

This The worship of Aten constituted the first evidence monotheistic religion in history of monotheismthe world.<ref>For information about monotheism in this period see: Hoffmeier, James Karl. 2015. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199792089/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0199792089&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2ff8db798db59fc236b0c547f0d958ea Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism]''. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> However, while this represented an innovation, the worship of a single god proved to be highly unpopular with the priestly classes as well as, most likely, the local population. In this period, worship of deities was very specific to given cities and temples. Additionally, these temples performed important economic activities to communities. The ban of other gods or the cessation of worship of other gods would have been devastating to local economies and communities.<ref> For information about how temples in cities function during the ancient world see: Kemp, Barry J. 2006. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415235502/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415235502&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=68c8626317aaf79a23b9398a4a09701e Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization]''. 2nd ed. London ; New York: Routledge, Pg. 257.</ref>

====Ancient Judaism: Not Very Monotheistic====In Biblical chronologyHowever, while this represented an innovation, we see that the establishment worship of a single god proved to be highly unpopular with the state of Israel would constitute the world’s first true monotheistic state. Howeverpriestly classes as well as, the reality is there is no evidence yet that shows monotheism existed or was beyond a limited minority either in Judah or Israelmost likely, the two main states of the Jewish people in the Biblelocal population.<ref> For information regarding the diversity In this period, worship of gods in ancient Israel deities was very specific to given cities and Judah, see: Stavrakopoulou, Francesca, and John Bartontemples. Additionally, eds. 2010. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0567032167/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0567032167&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a6fddd78b93aaa866baffd50a135f2a0 Religious Diversity in Ancient Israel and Judah]''these temples performed important economic activities for communities. London ; New York: T & T Clark.</ref> In fact, excavations throughout modern Israel commonly reveal the existence The ban of other gods. In particular Asherah (or Astarte), was worshiped, likely in conjunction with Yahweh, the Jewish god. While the Jewish Yahweh god may have been the main god, it appears cessation of worship of other gods were worshiped and accepted by much of the Jewish population. Perhaps one of the starkest indications that monotheism, if it existed at all, would have been limited a very small minority of Jews. During the 8th century BC, archeologists have found evidence that suggests that Yahweh was married or coupled with the goddess Asherahdevastating to local economies and communities.<ref> For information about this inscription, how temples in cities function during the ancient world see: Ruether Kemp, Rosemary RadfordBarry J. 2006. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/05202500520415235502/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=05202500520415235502&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d016bd8cf492a027e3ef5cd3d600f5b7 Goddesses and the Divine Feminine68c8626317aaf79a23b9398a4a09701e Ancient Egypt: A Western Religious HistoryAnatomy of a Civilization]''. 12nd ed. paperback print. BerkeleyLondon ; New York: Univ. of Calif. PressRoutledge, pgPg. 74257.</ref>

This evidence indicates == Was Ancient Judaism Monotheistic? ==In Biblical chronology, we see that even if Yahweh had supremacy he was not the only god worshiped. In fact, establishment of the Bible does seem to suggest this was state of Israel would constitute the case (e.gworld’s first true monotheistic state.However, the Asherah poles worshiped in the Bible). What reality is not indicated there is the extent of which ancient no evidence yet that shows monotheism existed or was beyond a limited minority either in Judah and or Israel, the two main states of the Jewish people in essence, appeared to be very similar to other contemporary states, which had chief gods (e.g., Ba’al, Marduk, Ashur, etc.) but also worshiped other deitiesthe Bible.<ref>For information about other states regarding the diversity of gods in ancient Israel and how divinity was structured Judah, see: SnellStavrakopoulou, Francesca, Daniel Cand John Barton, eds. 20112010. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052168336X0567032167/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052168336X0567032167&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8863fbc417e1e248326b0e496a5416b4 Religions of the a6fddd78b93aaa866baffd50a135f2a0 Religious Diversity in Ancient Near EastIsrael and Judah]''. London ; New York: Cambridge University PressT & T Clark.</ref>

In fact, excavations throughout modern Israel commonly reveal the existence of other gods. In particular, Asherah (or Astarte), was worshiped, likely in conjunction with Yahweh, the Jewish god. While the Jewish Yahweh god may have been the main god, it appears other gods were worshiped and accepted by much of the Jewish population. Perhaps one of the starkest indications that monotheism, if it existed at all, would have been limited to a very small minority of Jews. During the 8th century BC, archeologists have found evidence that suggests that Yahweh was married or coupled with the goddess Asherah.<ref> For information about this inscription, see: Ruether, Rosemary Radford. 2006. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520250052/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=The 0520250052&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d016bd8cf492a027e3ef5cd3d600f5b7 Goddesses and the Divine Feminine: A Western Religious History]''. 1. paperback print. Berkeley: Univ. of Calif. Press, pg. 74.</ref>  This evidence indicates that even if Yahweh had supremacy he was not the only god worshiped. In fact, the Bible does seem to suggest this was the case (e.g., the Asherah poles worshiped in the Bible). What is not indicated is the extent to which ancient Judah and Israel, in essence, appeared to be very similar to other contemporary states, which had chief gods (e.g., Ba’al, Marduk, Ashur, etc.) but also worshiped other deities.<ref>For information about other states and how divinity was structured see: Snell, Daniel C. 2011. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052168336X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052168336X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8863fbc417e1e248326b0e496a5416b4 Religions of the Ancient Near East]''. New MonotheismYork: Cambridge University Press.</ref> ==When did Hebrew Monotheism develop? ==[[File:Zeus_Yahweh.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|4th Century BC Phoenician coin with a an image that possibly represents Yaweh.]]Perhaps more critical to monotheism is not what occurred in the period of Judah and Israel but what happened afterwardsafterward. In 587 BC, Jerusalem was sacked, which constituted a major crisis for the Jewish population of Judah.<ref>For a history on the exile of the Jews from Judah see: Lipschitz, Oded, and Joseph Blenkinsopp, eds. 2003. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1575060736/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1575060736&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=843b06a4bf8a1afaa936dace0527238e Judah and the Judeans in the Neo-Babylonian Period]’’. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns.</ref> Many elites were taken to Babylon and this began a long period of the Jewish diaspora in places such as Mesopotamia (i.e., Iraq) that lasted until after World War II. We see soon after this period a greater emphasis on Yahweh, while other gods are now depicted in a negative light , and Yahweh is mentioned as the only god.<ref>For an indication of monotheism during the post-Babylonian exile period and its predecessors see: Schneider, Laurel C. 2008. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415941911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415941911&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d65b1e1dca811b52f37f6d5cae77a156 Beyond Monotheism: A Theology of Multiplicity]''. London, [England] ; New York: Routledge.</ref>

In other words, the theology began to be monotheistic by at least after the period of the exile in Babylon. This could be due to the fact that the main temple to Yahweh in Jerusalem was destroyed, negating any way to properly worship the god. Regardless, what is clear is monotheism only began to obtain greater traction after the destruction of the temple to Yahweh in Jerusalem.

Perhaps also critical to these developments were other religious changes occurring to the Near East from the period of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) and later. This period introduces a new god, Ahura Mazda, to the wider Near East. While this may not seem significant, this god began to be associated with the emerging religion of Zoroastrianism.<ref>For information about Zoroastrianism see: Boyce, Mary. 1996. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9004092714/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=9004092714&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=89511a221a1a75eb734672874e72f015 A History of Zoroastrianism]''. 3rd impression, with corrections. Handbuch Der Orientalistik. Erste Abteilung, Der Nahe Und Mittlere Osten, 13. Bd., Religion, 1. Abschnitt, Religionsgeschichte des Alten Orients, Lfg. 2, Heft 2A. Leiden ; New York: E.J. Brill.</ref> Zoroastrianism eventually (i.e., this is unclear how this religion develops or when it develops its main tenants) becomes the earliest faith which depicts a single good god fighting an evil deity (Angra Mainyu) in a great cosmic struggle affecting the whole world (i.e., a universal faith). Furthermore, this good vs. evil struggle is also depicted in the eventual resurrection of the dead during a judgment day on Earth, where the good go to a type of heaven. What this suggests is that Judaism, or at least very likely Christianity, may have been influenced by Zoroastrianism’s concepts of good vs. evil, as the major tenants that Christianity adopts, such as the concept of God vs. Satan and judgment day, were already present in Zoroastrianism.

What is also telling is that monotheism only appears to emerge during a period when larger states and empires were present. In fact, all religions that we can call monotheistic, or more accurately universal religions Zoroastrianism eventually (i.e., a this is unclear how this religion relevant to all people and not just a population group; e.g., Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Manichaeismdevelops or when it develops its main tenants) develop at a time of large scale empires where kings were now being called “king of kings” and seen as unifiers of many people.<ref>For becomes the concept of “king of kings” and larger unification of multiple populations during the period of the large empires see: Shayegan, M. Rahim. 2011. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521766419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521766419&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1f93b445436f466baed1d819eb20554d Arsacids and Sasanians: Political Ideology in Post-Hellenistic and Late Antique Persia]''. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> In essence, before earliest faith which depicts a single or universal good god became the norm, the concept of a universal king or emperor became well established. This likely makes the idea of a single political unity more palatable for multiple population groups. We know universal empires sought to unify people through a common government and other common cultural links, including through the economy.<ref>For information about emerging concepts of universalism fighting an evil deity (Angra Mainyu) in empires see: Cline, Eric H., and Mark W. Graham. 2011. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521717809/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521717809&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a411bd2ba7d644e44a13cf9065a4430e <i>Ancient Empires: From Mesopotamia to the Rise of Islam</i>]. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> Therefore, it may not be a surprise that universal empires helped to create philosophies of universal religions and ideas, as the ideas of greater unity between populations had already become well established. On the other hand, during the period when Yahweh, for instance, was the chief god in Judah, we see no evidence that this god was considered the only god and certainly he was only associated with the Jewish people. In essence, the mental constructs of god in great cosmic struggle affecting the pre-Babylonian exile period whole world (i.e., before the 6th century BCa universal faith) do not appear to incorporate God as being the only god. The development seems to happen later, perhaps under the presence of empires and/or the desire to transform an existing religion due to changes in political circumstances such as the loss of Jerusalem.

====Conclusion====What Furthermore, this good vs. evil struggle is clear is monotheism was not something that clearly develops for also depicted in the eventual resurrection of the dead during a judgment day on Earth, where the good goes to a long period type of timeheaven. We can see archaeological and historically What this suggests is that Judaism, or at least through the first half very likely Christianity, may have been influenced by Zoroastrianism’s concepts of the first millennium BC polytheism dominatedgood vs. The later monotheistic faith of Judaism appears to initially be a polytheistic religion. After evil, as the influence of empires and major tenants that Christianity adopts, such as the loss concept of the Judean temple, we begin to see greater transformations toward monotheismGod vs. This eventually gives rise to modern monotheistic Judaism, Christianity, Satan and Islam. Along the wayjudgment day, were already present in Zoroastrianism likely played an influential role in these universal faiths.{{Mediawiki:Cell}}

<div class="portal" style="width:85%Does the Rise of Monotheism parallel the Rise of Empires? ==Interestingly, monotheism only appears to emerge during a period when larger states and empires were present. In fact, all religions that we can call monotheistic, or more accurately universal religions (i.e., a religion relevant to all people and not just a population group;"e.g., Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Manichaeism) develop at a time of large scale empires where kings were now being called “king of kings” and seen as unifiers of many people.<ref>For the concept of “king of kings” and larger unification of multiple populations during the period of the large empires see: Shayegan, M. Rahim. 2011. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521766419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521766419&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=Related DailyHistory1f93b445436f466baed1d819eb20554d Arsacids and Sasanians: Political Ideology in Post-Hellenistic and Late Antique Persia]''. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> In essence, before a single or universal god became the norm, the concept of a universal king or emperor became well established. This likely makes the idea of a single political unity more palatable for multiple population groups. We know universal empires sought to unify people through a common government and other common cultural links, including through the economy.<ref>For information about emerging concepts of universalism in empires see: Cline, Eric H., and Mark W. Graham. 2011. [https://www.amazon.org Articlescom/gp/product/0521717809/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521717809&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a411bd2ba7d644e44a13cf9065a4430e <i>Ancient Empires: From Mesopotamia to the Rise of Islam</i>]. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> *[[What Therefore, it may not be a surprise that universal empires helped to create philosophies of universal religions and ideas, as the ideas of greater unity between populations had already become well established. On the other hand, during the period when Yahweh, for instance, was the chief god in Judah, we see no evidence that this god was Plato's academy considered the only god and why did it influence Western thought?]]*[[Alexander the Great Top Ten Booklist]]*[[Why certainly he was Alexander only associated with the Great So Successful Jewish people. In His Conquests?]]essence, the mental constructs of god in the pre-Babylonian exile period (i.e., before the 6th century BC) do not appear to incorporate God as being the only god. The development seems to happen later, perhaps under the presence of empires and/or the desire to transform an existing religion due to changes in political circumstances such as the loss of Jerusalem. == Conclusion ==*[[What Factors Led is clear is monotheism was not something that took a long time to develop. We can see archaeological and historically that at least through the Creation first half of the First Cities?]]*[[Thomas Jefferson, first millennium BCE polytheism dominated. The later monotheistic faith of Judaism appears to initially be a polytheistic religion. After the Founding Fathers influence of empires and the loss of the Judean temple, we begin to see greater transformations toward monotheism. This eventually gives rise to modern monotheistic Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Along the way, Zoroastrianism likely played an influential role in the development of these universal faiths. ====References====<references/>Updated May 4, 2019.<div class="portal" style='float:center; width:35%'> ====Related Articles===={{#dpl: Interview with Sam Haselby]]category=Religious History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}