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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 MonotheismWhat was the first Monotheist Religion? ==How did monotheism start? The first evidence of monotheism emerges from Egypt in the 14th century BC 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 had performed important economic activities to for 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> == Was Ancient Judaism Monotheistic? ==In Biblical chronology, we see that the establishment of the state of Israel would constitute the world’s first true monotheistic state. However, the reality is there is no evidence yet that shows monotheism existed or was beyond a limited minority either in Judah or Israel, the two main states of the Jewish people in the Bible.<ref> For information regarding the diversity of gods in ancient Israel and Judah, see: Stavrakopoulou, Francesca, and John Barton, 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]''. London ; New York: T & 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=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 York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> == When did Hebrew Monotheism develop? ==[[File:Zeus_Yahweh.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|4th Century BC Phoenician coin with 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 afterward. 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>  <dh-ad/> In other words, the theology began to be monotheistic 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).

==Ancient Judaism: Not Very Monotheistic==In Biblical chronologyFurthermore, we see that the establishment of the state of Israel would constitute the world’s first true monotheistic statethis good vs. However, the reality evil struggle is there is no evidence yet that shows monotheism existed or was beyond a limited minority either also depicted in Judah or Israel, the two main states eventual resurrection of the Jewish people in dead during a judgment day on Earth, where the Bible.<ref> For information regarding the diversity good goes to a type of gods in ancient Israel and Judah, see: Stavrakopoulou, Francesca, and John Barton, edsheaven. 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]''. London ; New York: T & T Clark.</ref> In factWhat this suggests is that Judaism, excavations throughout modern Israel reveal or at least very commonly other gods, in particular Asherah (or Astarte), was worshiped, likely in conjunction with YahwehChristianity, the Jewish god. While the Jewish Yahweh god may have been the main god, it appears other gods were worshiped and accepted influenced by much Zoroastrianism’s concepts of the Jewish populationgood vs. Perhaps one of the starkest indications that monotheism, if it existed at allevil, would have been limited a very small minority of Jews. During as the 8th century BC, archeologists have found evidence major tenants that suggests that Yahweh was married or coupled with the goddess Asherah.<ref> For information about this inscription, see: RuetherChristianity adopts, Rosemary Radford. 2006. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520250052/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0520250052&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d016bd8cf492a027e3ef5cd3d600f5b7 Goddesses and such as the Divine Feminine: A Western Religious History]''. 1. paperback print. Berkeley: Univ. concept of Calif. Press, pg. 74.</ref> This 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.gGod vs., the Asherah poles worshiped in the Bible). What is not indicated is the extent of which ancient Judah Satan and Israeljudgment day, were already present 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 York: Cambridge University PressZoroastrianism.</ref>

==The New Does the Rise of Monotheismparallel the Rise of Empires? ==[[File:Zeus_YahwehInterestingly, monotheism only appears to emerge during a period when larger states and empires were present.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|4th Century BC Phoenician coin with a image In fact, all religions that possibly represents Yawehwe can call monotheistic, or more accurately universal religions (i.e.]]Perhaps more critical , a religion relevant to monotheism is all people and not what occurred in the period of Judah and Israel but what happened afterwardsjust a population group; e.g. In 587 BC, Jerusalem was sackedIslam, Christianity, Judaism, which constituted Manichaeism) develop at a major crisis for the Jewish population time of large scale empires where kings were now being called “king of kings” and seen as unifiers of Judahmany people.<ref>For a history on the exile concept of “king of kings” and larger unification of multiple populations during the period of the Jews from Judah large empires see: Lipschitz Shayegan, Oded, and Joseph Blenkinsopp, edsM. Rahim. 20032011. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15750607360521766419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=15750607360521766419&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=843b06a4bf8a1afaa936dace0527238e Judah 1f93b445436f466baed1d819eb20554d Arsacids and the Judeans Sasanians: Political Ideology in the NeoPost-Babylonian PeriodHellenistic and Late Antique Persia]’’''. Winona Lake, IndCambridge ; New York: EisenbraunsCambridge University Press.</ref> Many elites were taken to Babylon and this began In essence, before a long period single or universal god became the norm, the concept of a universal king or emperor became well established. This likely makes the Jewish diaspora in places such as Mesopotamia (i.e., Iraq) that lasted until after World War IIidea of a single political unity more palatable for multiple population groups. We see soon after this period know universal empires sought to unify people through a greater emphasis on Yahwehcommon government and other common cultural links, while other gods are now depicted in a negative light and Yahweh is mentioned as including through the only godeconomy.<ref>For indication information about emerging concepts of monotheism during the post-Babylonian exile period and its predecessors universalism in empires see: SchneiderCline, Eric H., Laurel Cand Mark W. 2008Graham. 2011. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04159419110521717809/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=04159419110521717809&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d65b1e1dca811b52f37f6d5cae77a156 Beyond Monotheisma411bd2ba7d644e44a13cf9065a4430e <i>Ancient Empires: A Theology From Mesopotamia to the Rise of MultiplicityIslam</i>]''. London, [England] Cambridge ; New York: RoutledgeCambridge University Press.</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 Therefore, it may not be a surprise that universal empires helped to create philosophies of universal religions and ideas, as the Near East from ideas of greater unity between populations had already become well established. On the period of other hand, during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) and later. This period introduces a new godwhen Yahweh, Ahura Mazdafor instance, to was the wider Near East. While this may not seem significantchief god in Judah, we see no evidence that this god began to be was considered the only god and certainly he was only associated with the emerging religion of ZoroastrianismJewish people.<ref>For information about Zoroastrianism see: BoyceIn essence, 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 the mental constructs 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> This faith eventually (i.e., this is unclear how this religion develops or when it develops its main tenants) becomes likely the earliest faith which depicts a single good god fighting an evil deity (Angra Mainyu) in a great cosmic struggle affecting the whole world pre-Babylonian exile period (i.e., a universal faithbefore the 6th century BC)do not appear to incorporate God as being the only god. FurthermoreThe development seems to happen later, this good vs. evil struggle is also depicted in perhaps under the eventual resurrection presence of empires and/or the dead during a judgment day on Earth, where the good go desire to transform an existing religion due 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, changes in political circumstances such as the concept loss of God vs. Satan and judgment day, were already present in ZoroastrianismJerusalem.

== Conclusion ==What is also telling clear is that monotheism only appears to emerge during a period when larger states and empires were present. In fact, all religions was not something that we can call monotheistic, or more accurately universal religions (i.e., took a religion relevant long time 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” We can see archaeological and larger unification of multiple populations during historically that at least through the period first half of the large empires see: Shayegan, Mfirst millennium BCE polytheism dominated. 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 a single or universal god became the norm, the concept The later monotheistic faith of Judaism appears to initially be a universal king or emperor became well establishedpolytheistic religion. This likely makes After the idea influence 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 loss of universalism 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> ThereforeJudean temple, it may not be a surprise that universal empires helped we begin to create philosophies of universal religions and ideas, as the ideas of see greater unity between populations had already become well establishedtransformations toward monotheism. On the other handThis eventually gives rise to modern monotheistic Judaism, during the period when Yahweh, for instance, was the chief god in JudahChristianity, we see no evidence that this god was considered the only god and certainly he was only associated with the Jewish peopleIslam. In essence, the mental constructs of god in Along the pre-Babylonian exile period (i.e.way, 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 Zoroastrianism likely played an existing religion due to changes influential role in political circumstances such as the loss development of Jerusalemthese universal faiths.

==Conclusion==What is clear is monotheism was not something that clearly develops for a long period of time. We can see archaeological and historically that at least through the first half of the first millennium BC polytheism dominated. The later monotheistic faith of Judaism appears to initially be a polytheistic religion. After the 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 these universal faiths.{{Mediawiki:Religious History}}<div class="portal" style="width:85%;">==Related DailyHistory.org Articles=References=*[[What was Plato's academy and why did it influence Western thought?]]*[[Alexander the Great Top Ten Booklist]]*[[Why was Alexander the Great So Successful In His Conquests?]]*[[What Factors Led to the Creation of the First Cities?]]*[[Thomas Jefferson, the Founding Fathers and Christianity: Interview with Sam Haselby]]</div>===References===