Tutankhamun: Boy King of Ancient Egypt 5

At what age did Tutankhamun become pharaoh?

What was Tutankhamun's original birth name?

What was the new name Tutankhamun took when he became pharaoh?

What caused uncertainty regarding Tutankhamun's death?

What is Tutankhamun often referred to as?

Why did Tutankhamun marry his half-sister?

What was the significance of the tomb being sealed and undisturbed for thousands of years?

Why did Howard Carter have to wait three weeks for Lord Carnarvon to arrive before opening the tomb?

What was the main reason behind marrying within the family during Tutankhamun's time?

Why was Tutankhamun's tomb built hastily?

Tutankhamun Overview

Became pharaoh at age nine.
Original birth name was Tutankhaten, meaning "Living Image of Aten."
Took the name Tutankhamun, meaning "Living Image of Amun," upon ascending to the throne.

Death and Legacy

Uncertainty surrounding his death is due to the lack of concrete evidence and varying theories, including possible murder or illness.
Often referred to as the "Boy King" because of his young age when he became pharaoh.

Family Ties and Marriage

Married his half-sister, Ankhesenamun, to preserve the royal bloodline and maintain power within the family.
Marrying within the family was common to consolidate power among Egyptian royalty.

Tomb Discovery

The tomb's sealing and undisturbed state for over three thousand years provided invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and artifacts.
Howard Carter waited three weeks for Lord Carnarvon to arrive to ensure proper funding, supervision, and to share the historical significance of the discovery.

Tomb Construction

Tutankhamun's tomb was built hastily due to his early death, resulting in a lack of elaborate preparations typically associated with royal burials.

Test your knowledge on Tutankhamun, the famous Ancient Egyptian pharaoh who became king at the age of 9. Learn about his reign during the 18th Dynasty and the iconic gold burial mask associated with him.