Why is the "boy king" Tutankhamen famous?
Tutankhamen, also known as the "boy king," is famous for a few reasons:
1. Rediscovery: Tutankhamen gained his fame primarily due to the discovery of his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt by the British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. The tomb was remarkably intact and contained an incredible amount of magnificent artifacts, including his golden burial mask. This discovery was of great significance as it provided valuable insights into the life, art, and culture of Ancient Egypt.
2. Age at death: Tutankhamen became pharaoh of Egypt at a very young age, around nine years old. His reign was relatively short, lasting from around 1332 to 1323 BC. Due to his young age, many aspects of his rule, such as decision-making and governance, were most likely carried out by his advisers.
3. Restored religious practices: During the reign of Tutankhamen's predecessor, Akhenaten, significant religious reforms were implemented, focusing on the worship of a single deity, the Aten. Tutankhamen, after ascending to the throne, reversed many of these reforms and reintroduced traditional Egyptian religious practices, including the worship of multiple gods.
4. Tutankhamen's mummy: Tutankhamen's mummy has provided valuable information about his physical appearance and health. It revealed that he was approximately 18 years old at the time of his death, and he had a slender build. Examination of his mummy also indicated that he had various health issues, including a broken leg and malformation of his foot.
Overall, Tutankhamen's fame is largely linked to his tomb's extraordinary discovery, his young age at death, the restoration of traditional religious practices, and the insights provided by the examination of his mummified remains.