Timewatch: The Pharaoh's Lost CityHistory series. More than 3000 years ago, the rebel Pharaoh Akhenaten marched his people from his capital Thebes to build a new city in the desert. It took 20 years to build. The people of this city worshipped in the world's first monotheistic religion, overseen by Akhenaten and his beautiful Queen Nefertiti. The city was designed as a religious utopia. But, after 25 years of digging, experts are suggesting that Akhenaten was nothing but a despot.