Tutankhamun, the famous Egyptian pharaoh, has fascinated the world since his tomb was discovered in 1922. Although his reign was brief and he died young, he became a symbol of the wealth and mystery of the Ancient Egypt. In this account, we will explore the life and reign of Tutankhamun, emphasizing the key elements of his story.
The youth of Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun was born around 1341 BC. J.-C., during the troubled period of New Egyptian Empire. Probable son of the pharaoh Akhenaten, he grew up in a time of radical religious change and political turmoil. At the age of nine, he became pharaoh and took the name Tutankhamun, meaning “living image of Amun”, the main Egyptian god.
The reign of Tutankhamun
The young pharaoh inherits a country plagued by economic and political problems. Under the direction of his advisers, in particular the vizier Aÿ and general Horemheb, Tutankhamun works to restore order in Egypt. He restores the worship ofAmun and undertakes construction projects in the temples ofAmun à Karnak and in Luxor.
Tutankhamun and international relations
Despite his young age, Tutankhamun played an active role in Egyptian diplomacy. Records found at Amarna reveal exchanges of correspondence with other rulers, such as the Hittite king Suppiluliuma I. These letters testify to Tutankhamun's efforts to maintain peace and strengthen ties between Egypt and its neighbors.
The sudden death of Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun died suddenly around the age of 18 or 19, after only 9 years of reign. The exact causes of his death remain a mystery, although some theories suggest he may have died from illness, accident, or even assassination. His death precipitated a power struggle between Aÿ and Horemheb, which ends with the accession of Aÿ to the throne.
Tutankhamun's tomb
The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter revealed a priceless treasure from ancient Egypt. The tomb, although small for a pharaoh, was filled with precious objects and artifacts, including Tutankhamun's famous gold burial mask. This discovery marked the beginning of a worldwide fascination with the young pharaoh and provided an invaluable insight into Egyptian life and culture during this period.
The cultural impact of Tutankhamun
Since the discovery of his tomb, Tutankhamun has become a true cultural phenomenon. His gold funerary mask and his treasures have become icons of ancient Egypt and have been exhibited in museums around the world. The story of the young pharaoh has also inspired numerous films, novels and documentaries, helping to maintain public interest in this fascinating period of history.
Research on Tutankhamun
Over the years, scholars have continued to study the life and death of Tutankhamun, seeking to unravel the mysteries surrounding this iconic pharaoh. Recent medical scans have revealed evidence of birth defects and infections, suggesting the young king may have suffered from health issues throughout his life. However, the exact circumstances of his death and the details of his personal history remain largely a mystery.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||