AKHENATEN (ruled 1375?-1358? B.C.), Egyptian Pharaoh

Called by historian James Breated "the world's first individual," PharaohAkhenaten brought fresh and controversial ideas to ancient Egypt - a land which, in the fourteenth century before Christ, already had centuries-old traditions and beliefs. Akhenaten introduced the concept of internationalism to the ancient world. He also introduced monotheism - the idea of a single, omnipotent god, rather than a galaxy of greater and lesser gods, as had been believed by his predecessors. In doing so, he antagonized the powerful priesthood, but set the groundwork for modern religion. Akhenaten and his lover, Smenkhkare, were also the first historically documented male couple in history. Their homosexuality does not seem to have bothered Akhenaten's contemporaries, but his challenge to the clergy brought his downfall. The priests joined forces with the army and assassinated Akhenaten and Smenkhkare, and Tutankhamen was made Pharaoh.