The Life of King Tut - Boy King

Since his tomb was first discovered in 1922, the life of King Tut has continued to mystify and enthrall both historians and amateur sleuths alike.
The young age of the ruler, his mysterious death and the curse that continues to be associated with ancient Egypt and King Tut have only increased the world's fascination with King Tut's life history.

Quick Facts About King Tut

• Became king at the early age of nine.
• Died mysteriously at the age of eighteen.
• Mysterious curse thought to be responsible for the deaths of almost two dozen people involved with the discovery of his tomb.

Much of the early King Tut life story remains shadowy including his parentage.In what year was King Tutankhamen enthroned? Noone knows for sure. It is believed that his parents were Akhenaten and a minor wife, Kiya. After becoming king he married his half-sister, Ankhesenamun; who was born to Akhenaten and his primary wife, Nefertiti. His rule was primarily governed by two high ranking aides, including his wife's grandfather. The life of King Tut was cut short when he died mysteriously, only nine short years after taking the throne.

The short life of King Tut and the cause of his death remains a mystery even today. Severe head trauma was discovered when his mummified corpse was carefully unwrapped, although the cause of the injury has received much speculation. Some authorities believe the injury might have resulted from an accident while others contend he was surrounded by individuals who would stop at nothing to access the throne. Just 18 when he died, Tutankhamen Pharoah of Egypt left no son to succeed him to the throne; although mummified female infants were found contained within his tomb. His wife's elderly grandfather assumed the role of pharaoh, marrying the newly widowed Ankhesenaumun, his own granddaughter. She mysteriously disappeared soon after the marriage.

**Update: recently an international research team under the leadership of Egyptian radiologist Ashraf Selim discovered the real cause of Tutankhamen's death. It turns out he fell from a horse, broke his left thigh on several places and got blood poisoning because of the open wound. The mistery ends.

When his tomb was uncovered by Howard Carter in the fall of 1922, a wealth of King Tut's treasures were discovered as well. Although the burial tomb was obviously put together rather quickly to accommodate the death of the young king, it contained an amazing array of items. In total, when the tomb was finally emptied, it contained thousands of King Tut's tomb treasure including the King Tut throne chair. A silver trumpet King Tut was buried with was also discovered. Perhaps the most studied and easily recognized of all King Tut's treasures are the Tutankhamen sarcophagus symbols. The preserved mummy of the boy king was found to be contained within 3 golden coffins. His mummy was eventually returned to the tomb, however; persons interested in the life of King Tut can now view his tomb treasure in a museum in Cairo.

The Curse of King Tut

The curse of king Tut; whether real or simply a fascinating legend, has produced perhaps even more speculation than the life of King Tut and his actual death. According to Egyptian legend a curse was inscribed on the outside of the king's tomb: Death shall come on swift wings to him that disturbs the peace of the king. Several months after the initial discovery of King Tut's tomb, the principal backer of the expedition died a sudden death. In the next few years, 20 other individuals who were involved in the uncovering of the tomb died mysterious deaths.

A number of articles about the death of king Tut have been written, however much of the history of King Tutankhamun remain a mystery. The life of King Tut, the boy king, seems destined to remain shrouded in mystery.