3.The Life of King Tut

As we explore the various aspects of King Tut’s mummification, and ultimate deification, it is important to situate him historically. Though some of the theories surrounding Tut are precarious, some evidence can be drawn from the recorded evidence in his tomb, and the tombs of other’s. King Tut, or “the boy king” took the throne in 1333 BC at age nine (Reeves, 24 ). Following the rule of Tut’s father, Amenophis IV, Egypt was in a place of religious and cultural turmoil.

Amenophis IV reigned for 17 years. His time in the throne is most notable for his devotion to the Aten, a sun disk (Reeves, 18).  The basic tenant of the Aten was written in the Great Hymn to the Aten. Essentially, Amenophis IV had set in motion a monotheistic belief system, stating, “there is but one god, the Aten, the sole creator and gentle benefactor of mankind” (Reeves, 18). Amenophis IV had become the representative for Aten, and in doing so became a sort of dictator, even changing his name to Akhentaten, (he-who-is-beneficial-to-the-Aten) (Reeves 18).  Amenophis IV made it his life’s work to erase all signs of the previous polytheistic worship of Amun (Reeves 18).

The decision to enforce monotheism marked a turn for the worst in Amenophis’s reign. The economic state of the Egyptian state was destabilized, and much of the duties pertaining to the everyday running of the country was left to Akhentaten’s men (Reeves, 18). This led to mass exploitation and feelings of anger from the population (Reeves, 18).

Akhentaten died after 17 years at the throne, leaving the nation in chaos caused by his overall neglect. What went on after this are a bit difficult to follow. Akhentaten’s wife Nefertiti  seemed to attempt to hold onto power by pleading with king of Hitties, Suppiluliumas I, I to send her a son to marry, he did so, but the he was married en route (Reeves, 23). Nevertheless, this is an indication of the desperation Egypt was experiencing.

The boy king.

After a short reign by Smenkhkare, Tutamkaten came to power. Though he sat in the throne, it is believed that much of the power rested with others (Reeves, 24).  One thing was for certain, however, Egypt had to purge itself from the previous damaging effects of the worship of Aten. King tut, and his wife, Ankhesenpaaten made a point of dropping the “aten’s” from their names, thus signaling the return to Amun.

For much of the reign of King Tut he was under the control of his advisors, however as he aged he became harder to manipulate (Reeves, 33).  A theory surrounding his death is that he was murdered by his closest advisor, heir to the throne, Ay (Reeve, 33).  Ay was elderly and it is speculated his drive to control power may have caused him to strike Tut in a manner consistent with the damage to his skull (Reeves, 33). Whatever the case may be, Tut’s reign ended with his death, just 9 short years after taking the throne.

For those wanting to know more, below is a great documentary on King Tut. 

Sources: 

Reeves, C. N. The Complete Tutankhamun : The King, the Tomb, the Royal Treasure. London: Thames and Hudson, 1990. Print.

N.d. Who's Your Daddy? King Tut's Father Identified. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.<http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28279258/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/whos-your-daddy-king-tuts-father-identified/#.UzWlTK1dVgs>.