Moses's Priestly Journey

Early Years (1366-1351 BCE)

Pre-Priesthood

  • Born in 1366 BCE during Amenhotep III's reign
  • Likely from educated family to be considered for priesthood
  • Probably received early scribal training
  • Would have witnessed early signs of Amenhotep IV's (later Akhenaten) religious changes
Context: This period saw growing tension between Amun priesthood and royal power, setting stage for Akhenaten's reforms.
Initial Priesthood (1351-1346 BCE)

Early Training

  • Becomes priest at 15
  • Initial training likely included:
    • Learning hieratic script
    • Memorizing hymns and rituals
    • Study of astronomical observations
    • Temple purification practices
  • Witnesses transformation of Aten from solar deity to sole god
  • "Falls in love with" Atenism during this period
Context: Akhenaten's religious revolution was gaining momentum, creating opportunities for young priests willing to embrace change.
Rise Under Akhenaten (1346-1336 BCE)

Period of Growth

  • Rapid advancement as older priests resist changes
  • Likely involved in:
    • Writing new religious texts
    • Adapting old rituals to Aten worship
    • Teaching new priests
    • Possibly helping compose hymns to Aten
  • Marriage during this period
  • Reaches senior position by late 1330s
Context: Peak of Atenism, with new temples being built and older cults suppressed.
Transition Period (1336-1332 BCE)

Uncertainty and Adaptation

  • Navigates brief reigns of Smenkhkare and Nefertiti
  • Maintains position through political instability
  • Likely begins seeing signs of coming religious restoration
  • Possibly starts developing private Aten practices
Context: Period of rapid change with multiple rulers and unclear religious policy.
Decline Under Tutankhamun (1332-1323 BCE)

Fall from Power

  • Faces first major crisis as religious reforms begin
  • Demoted to sem priest
  • Learns funeral rites (later used for Asher)
  • Begins developing critical view of institutional power
  • Witnesses persecution of Atenist believers
Context: Systematic dismantling of Atenism under Horemheb's influence over young Tutankhamun.
Later Years (1323-1315 BCE)

Evolution and Resistance

  • 1320 BCE: Restored to lector priest position
  • Develops interest in worker and slave conditions
  • Maintains private Aten devotion
  • Begins forming progressive religious ideas
  • 1315 BCE: Threatened with demotion to wab priest
  • Starts secret religious gatherings
  • Murder and martyrdom
Context: Period of enforced orthodoxy under Horemheb, with increasing social tensions and worker unrest.