Figure 1.--Here is a reconstruction of Tutankhamun's face based on his mummy. The reconstructor seems to have ignored the reported cleft palatte.

The archeological record of Tutankhamun's reign is limited, in part because of the removal of his name from official records that Horemheb later ordered when he became pharaoh. Had his tomb not have been discovered intact, we would known little or nothing about him. A shadowy figure exists in the early days of Tutankhamun's reign--Smenkhkare. He appears to have been a co-ruler. He almost certainly was Tutankhamun's brother, probably by the same father and mother. Tutankhamun is generalyy seen as a minor unimportant king as is sugested by his most common description--"the Boy King". It is true that in terms of length and lack of military conquest, his reign does seem of only minor importance. It should be noted, however, that during his reign the old cults were restored. This is hardly a minor development. The precise year of succession is unknown. The years of his reign are dated from his coregency. Archeoloists believce, however, based on his mummy that hw would have been no more than 9 years old when Ankhenaten died. Egypt at Akhenaten's death would have thus been goverened by a regeant. The Aten cult appears to hve continued in the first year of Tutankhamun's reign. Artifacts in his tomb still depict the young pharaoh with the Aten. After Neferfiti'd death, however, a return to religious orthodoxy was possible began during Tutankhamun's reign. [Aldrid, p. 88.]

Smenkhkare

A shadowy figure exists in the early days of Tutankhamun's reign--Smenkhkare. He appears to have been a co-ruler. He almost certainly was Tutankhamun's brother, probably by the same father and mother. As is the case of Tutankhamun, considerable debate surround Smenkhkare's parentage. Givn the almost enescapable fact that hey are brothers, the samne issues surround his parentage. [Aldred, pp. 97-99.] Such co-rulers are common in Egyptian history. They often are a father and young son as he approaching adulthood, although the concept of co-rulars is a matter of some debate among Egyptologists. Little is know of Smenkhkare, he may have been a brother of Akhenaten and seems to have briefly ruled with Tutankhamun. No one knows, however, what happened to him.

Importance

Tutankhamun is generalyy seen as a minor unimportant king as is sugested by his most common description--"the Boy King". It is true that in terms of length and lack of military conquest, his reign does seem of only minor importance. It should be noted, however, that during his reign the old cults were restored. This is hardly a minor development. Of course this was not the work of a boy of only about 9 years of age. It must have been the work of Ay, perhaps Ay and Horemheb working together. It is interesting that Ay was so deeply involved in restoring the old faith as he had been a trusted confident, probably close relative of Akhenaten.

Succession

The precise year of succession is unknown. The years of his reign are dated from his coregency. Archeoloists believce, however, based on his mummy that hw would have been no more than 9 years old when Ankhenaten died. Egypt at Akhenaten's death would have thus been goverened by a regeant. Queen Nefertiti soon disappears from the historical record. The decissions were made by two powerful advisors. Ay an influential priest under Ankhenten was even more important during Tutankhamun's reign, assuming the role of Chamberlin or Vizer. Egyptologists intensely debate just who Ay was. Many are convinced that he was Nefertiti's father. Upon the death of Nefertiti, Ay became the virtual ruler of Egypt in the name of the young pharaoh. Horemheb played a powerful role as commander of the army.

Religion

The Aten cult appears to hve continued in the first year of Tutankhamun's reign. Artifacts in his tomb still depict the young pharaoh with the Aten. After Neferfiti'd death, however, a return to religious orthodoxy was possible began during Tutankhamun's reign. [Aldrid, p. 88.]

Foreign Relations

Many of Egypt's imperial possessions were lost as a result of the disorders associated with the reign of Akhetaten and Tutankhamun. The Hittites in particular were extending their influence south into the Levant by seizing or extending control over former Egyptian client states.

Sources

Aldred, Cyril. Akhenaten: Pharaoh of Egypt--A New Study (McGraw-Hill: New York, 1968), 272p.