Tutankhamun

Thanks to the discovery of his opulent tomb by the Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922 and the alleged curse that was unleashed as a result, Tutankhamun holds a prominent place in the popular imagination. “King Tut”, as he is colloquially known, ruled Egypt during the 18^th Dynasty and oversaw far-reaching religious reform and a series of conflicts with Egypt’s enemies the Hittites, before dying at the age of just 20. But what is the truth behind the legends surrounding this iconic figure? In just 50 minutes, you will find out about Tutankhamun’s family background and everyday life as ruler of Egypt and learn about the major contribution that the discovery of his tomb made to the discipline of Egyptology.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the key events of Tutankhamun’s rule and the scientific advances that have permitted modern researchers to uncover previously unknown details about his life and death. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political and religious context and an evaluation of his legacy, giving you all the essential information about Egypt’s boy pharaoh.

About Tutankhamun

Given that he lived and ruled some 3000 years ago, relatively little is known about the life of Tutankhamun and his brief rule. Indeed, it seems that his reign did not make much of a mark on his contemporaries and quickly faded into obscurity after his death. This all changed when his burial place was discovered in 1922: the tomb had been untouched for millennia and its contents were remarkably well preserved, making it one of the most valuable archaeological discoveries of all time.

This clear and accessible 74-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Tutankhamun
• Biography of Tutankhamun
• Religious and political context
  • The religious context before Tutankhamun’s reign
  • Significant reform
  • Turbulent foreign relations
• Key moments
  • The religious restoration
  • New construction projects
  • A sickly adolescent
  • An untimely death
  • A contentious succession
  • An unprecedented discovery
  • The journey to the afterlife according to Egyptian custom
• Impact of Tuthankhamun’s rule
  • The great religious restoration
  • The scientific significance of the discovery
  • The curse of the pharaoh
  • Curse or myth?
  • A rational explanation
  • “Tutmania”
• Summary