Call me ignorant or oblivious but the first time I’ve heard about King Tutankhamun was about 4 months ago when I came across the book The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson. Although the book is a fiction book but the amount of research that the author went into writing this book was very palpable. I’m not a fan of History, ancient stuff and I read this book only because I did not have any other book to read at that time. But the more I read of this book, the more fascinated I became about this famous pharaoh.
King Tut became pharaoh at the age of around 8 or 9 years old and he reigned for about 10 years when he died suddenly at the age of 19. His death has cause a lot of debates and it is still a mystery unsolved or will never be solved.
King Tut was married to his half-sister Ankhesenepatan where they both had two stillborn daughters. And it is believed that King Tut was the result of incestuous relationship of Akhenaten and one of Akhenaten’s sisters. That’s why some believe that King Tut might have suffered from genetic defect that ended his life at such an early age. And some research shows that King Tut might have also suffered cleft palate and scoliosis and they also found cane in his tomb where King Tut used it in order for him to walk.
The most popular theory is that King Tut was being murdered by Aye who was a Vizier since King Tut’s father, Akhenaten was ruling Egypt. Akhenaten brought a major changed in Egypt when he enforced monotheistic where for the past hundreds of years Egyptians have been worshipping so many different gods. This change might be hostile as it contradicts with the common practice of religions in Egypt. And when Akhenaten died and passed down the throne to King Tut when he was still a child, would only mean catastrophe. So all major decisions would probably be made or suggested by Aye and Horemheb. After the death of King Tut, Aye became pharaoh and he married Ankhesenepatan, wife of King Tut.
From the book The Murder of King Tut, it is written that Aye forced Ankhesenepatan to married him so that he can be the next pharaoh. Ankhesenepatan did ask for help from the Hitties who were enemies of Egypt at that time. She sent a plea to the Hittie’s King saying
"My husband has died and I have no son. They say about you that you have many sons You might give me one of your sons to become my husband. I would not wish to take one of my subjects as a husband... I am afraid."
The ‘subjects’ that she mentioned was speculated to be Aye. But in the end Aye became pharaoh and Ankhesenepatan was married to him. But the queen died shortly after he was married to Aye.
I have totally forgotten about this King Tut and then I read the news today that says ‘Seven tombs in New Kingdom Cemetery open’. These tombs belong to several men who served King Tut and his father, Akhenaten.
Aye ruled as a pharaoh for 4 years and guess who became the next pharaoh. It was Horemheb! He was a commoner who became Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and advisor to the King Tut. What is more surprising is that when King Tut died, Horemheb was designated as ‘Crown Prince’ meaning Horemheb was the heir to King Tut’s throne. But Aye using whatever tactic he had and he himself succeeded King Tut. So when Horemheb became pharaoh, he desecrated Aye’s tomb and smashed his sarcophagus into pieces!
This book surely doesn’t seem like a fiction book. Is almost like ‘watching’ a drama but with proven evidence everywhere. I usually thought that this kind of fights for the throne that we always saw in movies is mostly made up. But this definitely surpasses my expectations on a lot of things. And one that I’m certain is this --> ‘Do not judge a book by its cover!’
The Golden Mask of King Tut
and i won a giveaway from Polish Infatuated!!love the nail polish she sent me!!=)
This is what i'm wearing now
Handmade Reviews Giveaway All Summer Long
