For hundreds of years Egypt's polytheistic religion was static until Akhenaten. Due to the inextricability of Egypt's economy, politics and religion, Akhenaten's reforms were a catalyst for many impacts to New Kingdom Egypt in varying degrees. There was a significant shift to Egypt's economy, religion was modified with the introduction of monotheism, art was extensively innovated and militia powers became passive in handling foreign affairs. Although there were drastic changes which successfully lasted during Akhenaten's reign, they did not endure his death. Essentially, the majority of Egyptians would not have been extensively impacted by Akhenaten's reforms as polytheism still occurred within their homes. B.J Kemp is supportive of this theory as archaeology has provided evidence for the popular manifestation of anthropomorphic gods within household shrines. Furthermore, like previous religious trends, commoners embraced the Aten (to a certain extent). This can be seen through papyrus letters written by minor officials to their relatives, where the Aten is acknowledged as a 'bestower of blessings'. .
However, D.B Redford's theory suggests that Akhenaten's devotion to the Aten created an absence of the devotion to other gods which deprived New Kingdom Egyptians of their basic religious comforts. Perhaps what most affected the mass would be the impediment of their participation and contribution to festivals such as the Opet Festival which Akhenaten changed to focus upon the royal family. Without their traditional religious practices, confusion and disorientation would have been common emotions amongst the people. Middle Class Egyptians would have been partially impacted by Akhenaten's time in reign; the most radical being the relocation of his officials and their families to Akhetaten, meaning leaving their previous life and community behind. Within their new homes they were prohibited to pay homage to their previous gods, and instead replaced shrines with Akhenaten and his family.
