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Akhenaten was a rather unusual looking individual if stone depictions of him are accurate. At least one Egyptologist that I know of believes that Akhenaten may have suffered from Marfan Syndrome. Dr. Bob Brier also theorized that because of Akhenaten's deformities he may have been shunned by his family. His abandoning the traditional gods of Egypt when he became Pharaoh, may have been more about asserting himself above them then any religious epiphany. Choosing the Aten as his own personal god and a system of worship that only through Akhenaten were others allowed to know this new god could show a bit of pain tinged with just a touch of revenge.

It is interesting to note that much of the art from his period shows his courtiers attempting to please Akhenaten by having their own images mirroring his in shape and form. It is as if Akennaten is setting the standard for beauty at least during his era. Aging likenesses of Nefertiti show her as a a very human middle aged woman. Her body is slightly overweight and sagging in a very natural and normal way. They let it all hang out with no glorification for either of them.

I will be interested in what new research and perspectives they come up with. As long as they are doing this I wish they would reexamine Richard III's life and times. I just don't buy that he was the villain that Shakespeare needed him to be. From everything that I have read of Richard he was a just and honorable man prior to becoming King. He could not have changed so drastically.