TutankhamunShort Biography, Information & Facts about Tutankhamun, the famous pharaoh and king of Egypt Biography, Facts and information about the life of a Pharaoh
The term pharaoh was the title given to a ancient Egyptian kings, such as Tutankhamun. An ancient Egyptian king, or pharaoh, was considered to be a living god and worshipped as a deity. The pharaoh was an absolute ruler of Egypt and both the political and religious leader. Short Biography of the life of Tutankhamun
The history, facts and information about Tutankhamun, a famous pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. The following short biography information provides basic facts about the life Tutankhamun: - Tutankhamun also known as King Tut
- Tutankhamun was first known as Tutankhaten, meaning "Living Image of Aten"
- In the third year of his reign he changed his name to Tutankhamun, meaning "Living Image of Amun" when the reforms and religion of his heretic father Akehenaten were reversed from worshipping just one god, the Aten, to worshipping the old gods, the chief of which was Amun
- Alternative spellings of the name Tutankhamun: Tutenkhamen and Tutenkhamon
- Egyptian Period / Kingdom: New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Tutankhamun ruled in the Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty
- Name of Previous Pharaoh: Akhenaten 1351 BC -1337 BC
- Years of Reign: 1334 BC -1325 BC
- Succeeded by: Smenkhkare (1336 BC -1334 BC)
- There is some speculation that the Pharaoh referred to Smenkhkare Ankhetkheperure was in fact a woman due to the feminine spelling of the name. Further speculation questions whether Smenkhkare Ankhetkheperure could have been Nefertiti, Akhenaten's Chief Wife and the mother-in-law and stepmother of Tutankhamun
- Lifespan of Pharaoh Tutankhamun: 1343 BC - 1325 BC
- Tutankhamun Year of Birth: 1343 BC
- Family of Tutankhamun
- Father of Tutankhamun: His father was Akhenaten, the heretic king
- Mother of Tutankhamun: His mother was believed to be Kiya
- Stepmother: Nefertiti, chief wife of his father Akhanaten and daughter of Ay
- Chief Wife: The chief wife and consort of Tutankhamun was Ankhesenpaaten (aka Ankhesanamum and Ankhesenamen), his half sister
- Children: None survived. His two daughters were still born and were buried with Tutankhamun
- Grand Vizier: Ay who was also the father of Nefertiti, his stepmother. Ay was also the grandfather of Ankhesenpaaten, the wife of Tutankhamun
- General of the Armies: Horemheb (who was also designated heir to the throne)
- Year of Death of Tutankhamun: 1325 BC
- Location of the Burial Site: Valley of the Kings
- Tomb of Tutankhamun reference number: KV62
- Name of Egyptologist who discovered the burial site, or tomb, of Tutankhamun: Howard Carter
- Why Tutankhamun was famous: This relatively minor boy king was made famous by the discovery of his intact tomb KV62, complete with all of its wonderful treasures, by the Egyptologist Howard Carter.
- Biography and accomplishments: Background to the life of Tutankhamun - The chaotic reign of one of his predecessors, Akhenaten, radically changed Ancient Egypt from a polytheistic religion, with many gods, to monotheism (the worship of one god). Akhenaten used the might of the army and its powerful military commanders to destroy the old religion and its priesthood. He moved the entire population of Thebes to his new city of Armana. The traditional temple based economy, run by priests of Amun, had been replaced by the new regime, run by local administrators and military commanders. The new economy began to collapse due to the greed and corruption of the new officials. The Egyptian people were unhappy with the changes. Akhenaten did nothing to restore order and was forced to abdicate. The army were torn between their loyalty to the Pharaoh and their loyalty to the people. Compromises had to be made. Temples to the old gods were reopened, their worship was allowed and the roles of some of the priests of Amun were restored. But the god Aten remained as the supreme god, allowing continued worship to the Aten. At this time a mysterious Pharaoh called Smenkhkare took the throne, who could have been Nefertiti. It then passed to Tutankhamun.
- Tutankhamun Biography and accomplishments: Tutankhamun was born c1343 BC and was brought up in Armana (dedicated to the god Aten) the city established by his father Akhenaten. He was 9 years old when he was made Pharaoh in 1334 BC. During the same year he married Ankhesenpaaten, his half sister, the third daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. In the third year of his reign, due to pressure from the traditionalists, he changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun. Queen Ankhesenpaaten also changed her name to Ankhesenamun, reflecting the growing acceptance of the old god Amun. During year 4 of his reign he, and the royal court, moved back to the old capital at Thebes (modern day Luxor) which was also the center of worship of the Ancient Egyptian god Amun and the power base of the Amun priests. The boy King Tutankhamun was advised by his Grand Vizier Ay who held enormous power over Tutankhamun. He was also supported by the military led by General Horemheb. During the reign of Tutankhamun (1334 BC -1325 BC) Horemheb was designated as the Boy King's "Deputy" and was recognised as heir to Tutankhamun. The children of Queen Ankhesenpaaten and Tutankhamun did not survive. His two daughters were still born and were buried with Tutankhamun. During his reign Tutankhamun commissioned various building work including the restoration of some temple properties at Karnak and Thebes. There were also military campaigns in Nubia and Syria during his reign, although it is doubtful that Tutankhamun played any part in them.
- Tutankhamun died at the age of 18/19 and his cause of death remains a mystery and subject to much speculation. Did Tutankhamun die a natural death or was he murdered? Who might have killed Tutankhamun? His tomb was hastily constructed by Ay who succeeded him to the Egyptian throne. For a full biography and full details of his life and mysterious death please refer to the Sitemap.
Tutankhamun
Each section of this Ancient Egyptian website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of Pharaohs and of Tutankhamun. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Ancient Egyptian Kings- their life, family, reign, dynasty, important dates and events and accomplishments.
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