ATON

ATON. — From itu, “the disk,” it was the proper name of the disk of the sun, which Amenhotep IV (v. IV) adopted as the sole deity of Egypt, thereby provoking a grave religious persecution in the country. It was represented as a disk with rays ending in hands. In its honor, Amenhotep IV founded a new capital, which he called Aḥtaton, “the horizon of A.,” where there was a splendid temple dedicated to the god. Ernesta Bacchi