Amenhotep was the name of several pharaohs in ancient Egypt, but the most well-known is Amenhotep IV, who later changed his name to Akhenaten. He ruled during the 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom period, from around 1353 to 1336 BC.

Amenhotep IV is known for his radical religious revolution, in which he attempted to establish a monotheistic worship of the sun god Aten, replacing the traditional polytheistic worship of multiple gods. He moved the capital from Thebes to a new city he built called Akhetaten (Amarna), which was dedicated to the worship of Aten.

During his rule, Amenhotep IV enacted several religious and artistic reforms. He closed down the temples dedicated to other gods, suppressed the priesthood, and erased the names and images of the traditional gods from monuments. He also introduced a new style of art known as the Amarna art, characterized by elongated figures and naturalistic depictions.

Amenhotep IV's religious reforms faced significant opposition, as they went against centuries of established religious practices. His rule was marked by political and social upheaval, as the traditional power structures and religious institutions were disrupted. The pharaoh's focus on the worship of Aten neglected other aspects of governance, leading to economic decline and foreign policy challenges.

After Amenhotep IV's death, his son Tutankhamun reversed the religious reforms, restored the traditional worship of Amun, and moved the capital back to Thebes. The memory of Amenhotep IV was largely erased from history, and his reign was not well-documented until the discovery of the Amarna Letters in the 19th century.

In summary, Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) ruled during the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt and is known for his radical religious reforms, attempting to establish a monotheistic worship of Aten. His rule led to political and social upheaval, but his reforms were ultimately reversed after his death.