Tutankhamun

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Tutankhamun (also known as Tutankhaten) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, who ruled c. 1332–1323 BC. His original name, Tutankhaten, means "Living Image of Aten", while Tutankhamun means "Living Image of Amun". He is colloquially referred to as "King Tut".

Early Life

Tutankhamun was born around 1342 BC. He was the son of Akhenaten (formerly Amenhotep IV) and his sister, known as The Younger Lady. His reign began at a very young age, around eight or nine years old, following the death of Neferneferuaten, who is believed to have been his predecessor.

Reign

During his reign, Tutankhamun worked to restore the traditional Egyptian religion and practices that had been set aside during his father's rule. Akhenaten had established a monotheistic worship of the sun disk Aten, but Tutankhamun reinstated the polytheistic worship of Amun and other gods. He moved the capital back to Thebes and restored the temples, images, and privileges of the old gods.

Death and Burial

Tutankhamun died around 1323 BC at the age of 18 or 19. The exact cause of his death remains a subject of debate among historians and scientists. His tomb, KV62, was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 1922 by Howard Carter, and it was found largely intact, providing a wealth of artifacts and information about the period.

Legacy

Tutankhamun's tomb is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The artifacts found within, including the famous gold mask, have provided immense insight into the wealth, artistry, and daily life of ancient Egypt. Despite his relatively short reign, Tutankhamun is one of the most well-known pharaohs due to the discovery of his nearly intact tomb.

Related Pages

• Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt
• Akhenaten
• Ankhesenamun
• Valley of the Kings
• Howard Carter (archaeologist)
• KV62
• Ancient Egyptian religion