The Significance of Akhenaten, Gilgamesh, and Alexander for the Modern Era - Essay Example

Akhenaten was originally a pharaoh under the original name Amenhotep IV. He tried to change the culture of Egypt by making the sun god, Aten, the most important of all. This also was a political move that gave him more power and pushed aside the priests of other gods. He was bold in his change of religious policies and also broke tradition by moving the Egyptian capital to a new city. However, he was not popular enough to leave a legacy, and his changes did not last. Unlike Gilgamesh and Alexander, Akhenaten was not very representative of his people or time.

            Gilgamesh was a great king of the Mesopotamian kingdom of Uruk, who may have existed in reality as well as in legend. He was said to be part god and part man, and of course became a very popular figure among Mesopotamians, which lead to the survival of his story. Gilgamesh was unique in his position in myth and legend, and his character seems to be one that is less concerned with his society than with his own destiny. He goes off in search of adventure and finally in search of immortality. He did not make himself known for what he did in his kingdoms like Alexander and Akhenaten but instead was very individual. Like Alexander, however, he was seen as something of a godly figure.

            Finally, Alexander the Great was a prince of Macedonian descent who was full of ambition and military genius. He is different from the others in that he was a successful agent of change. He was significant for being regarded as a hero and a divine king like Gilgamesh, and for changing society, religions, governments, and cities like Akhenaten. Unlike Akhenaten, his changes had a lasting effect and the world was never able to change back, and overall Alexander was responsible for bringing about a new age in his unique role as a conquerer and reformer.

            These people were all strong cultural influences, in positive and negative ways. As rulers, Alexander and Akhenaton both wielded much more political and military might. They were both similar in that they transformed the kingdoms they ruled, but Alexander went even further by transforming foreign lands and using war as his method of change. Akhenaten was simply a reformer and stayed within his original kingdom. From what we know of Gilgamesh, he was less concerned about progress and achievement for Mesopotamia than with his adventures--he seemed to be a very absent ruler. However, he survived as an icon of his people's culture, and represents their religion and thought in his stories.

            These people are all still significant in the modern era, whether they be historians, poets, archaeologists, or just the common student. They all were known for their unique roles and characteristics and stood out from other mythical figures, pharaohs, and conquerors. All failures and successes aside, these are all notable figures who contributed to the progress of ancient culture and even in many ways to make the world what it is today.