Profile of Tutankhamun

 

Full Name: Tutankhamun (originally Tutankhaten)
Date of Birth: c. 1341 BCE
Date of Death: c. 1323 BCE (around 18–19 years old)
Cause of Death: Uncertain; theories include genetic disorders, infection from a broken leg, malaria, or other health complications.

Family and Relationships
Tutankhamun was a pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, ruling during the New Kingdom period. He was the son of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the controversial ruler who attempted to shift Egypt’s religious beliefs to the worship of the sun god Aten. His mother is believed to be KV35 Younger Lady, identified as one of Akhenaten’s sisters.

Tutankhamun married Ankhesenamun, his half-sister and daughter of Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. The couple had no surviving children, but two mummified fetuses found in his tomb are believed to be their stillborn daughters.

How He Died
Tutankhamun’s exact cause of death remains a mystery, with several theories proposed:

• Health issues due to inbreeding: DNA studies suggest he suffered from multiple genetic disorders, including a clubfoot and a cleft palate, which may have made him physically weak.
• Injury: His mummy shows evidence of a severe broken leg, possibly from a chariot accident or fall, which may have led to a fatal infection.
• Malaria: Traces of malaria parasites were found in his remains, leading some experts to believe he succumbed to malaria combined with a weakened immune system.

There is no strong evidence that he was murdered, though earlier theories suggested possible assassination.

Interesting Facts

• Tutankhamun ascended to the throne at just nine years old, ruling for about a decade.
• He reversed the religious changes of his father, Akhenaten, restoring Egypt’s traditional polytheistic beliefs and the worship of Amun.
• His tomb, discovered almost intact in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, remains one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time.
• The famous golden death mask found in his tomb is one of the most recognized artifacts from ancient Egypt.
• His tomb contained over 5,000 treasures, including chariots, weapons, jewelry, and even a dagger made from a meteorite.
• Despite his fame today, Tutankhamun was a relatively minor and forgotten ruler in history until his tomb’s discovery.

How History Has Depicted Him

• Ancient records barely mention him, as later rulers erased many references to his reign due to his father’s controversial rule.
• His modern fame skyrocketed after the discovery of his tomb, capturing the world’s imagination.
• The legend of the “Curse of the Pharaohs” arose due to the mysterious deaths of some individuals associated with the tomb’s excavation (though most lived long lives).
• He has been depicted in books, films, and documentaries as a tragic yet intriguing figure.

Though his reign was short and not particularly influential, Tutankhamun remains one of the most famous pharaohs in history, thanks to the extraordinary discovery of his tomb and the stunning artifacts that offer a glimpse into the wealth and grandeur of ancient Egypt.