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James Humphreys Feb.

1st, 2013 Periods 6-7 King Tut Compare and Contrast

November 4. It is on this day in 1922 that Howard


Carter stumbled upon the skillfully built, clandestine tomb of the celebrated boy pharaoh by the name of King Tutankhamen. This hurriedly developed tomb concealed in the Valley of the Kings was filled to the brim with treasures and riches. It was then discovered that this renowned king only lived for about 19 years. A lot of Tutankhamens successes are still shrouded in mystery, and it was very clear that this particular time in Ancient Egypts history was especially turbulent. This King forged a legacy by erasing all his fathers wrongdoings. But many questions are left unrequited. How did this boy king meet

his untimely demise? This case has started a succession of different analyses, each one hoping for another outcome that could explain how this pharaoh came to his premature end. The clues given to the examiners are baffling; each theory can be deflated. But nonetheless, many theories have been made. Some believe in assassination, some put their faith in natural causes and illness. How did this King perish? King Tut was not a strong or healthy king, contrary to his idealized sarcophagi, but a frail, malaria wracked, deformed child. A large possibility is that King Tut met his end due to natural causes. King Tut had the most lethal form of malaria, which targets the brain. He easily could have died of this tragic sickness, or he could have died of the broken femur that was noticed in his autopsy. His blood showed traces of Gangrene, a

horrible disease that causes your skin to rot as you live. Many different sicknesses were making attempts on Tuts life. A King Tut study team member, Carsten Pusch, a geneticist at Germany's University of Tbingen, stated, He was not a very strong pharaoh; He was not riding the chariots. Picture instead a frail, weak boy who had a bit of a club foot and who needed a cane to walk,(National Geographic, 2005). This quote shows that this King had many deformities and weaknesses that could easily have been penetrated with illness, and that could have led to his death. Alas, King Tuts father was Akhenaten, the unfair king that forced Atenism, a monotheistic religion, upon the polytheistic people of Egypt. This meant Tutankhamen had some enemies from the moment he was born. Even though he quickly repaired

the damages done by his father, Amun Re artifacts and artwork were destroyed or defaced, and that couldnt be easily repaired. As a result, some priests didnt forgive him. A popular theory is that King Tut was murdered by Aye, a former priest and the pharaohs closest advisor. In the different scans done to the mummy, a blood clot and a damaged skull base were discovered. This suggests a blow to the back of the head with a blunt object. To a king this frail, that blow would be fatal. Also, Aye did his burial ceremonies, and many rituals werent performed and body parts are missing. A hasty burial is implied, as if Aye didnt wish Tutankhamen to reach the afterlife. King Tut Investigators/Experts, Greg Cooper and Mike King, speculate that Horemheb, his military commander, could have murdered the pharaoh if he wanted to. The quote states, The

military commander spent much time with Tut, teaching him hunting and chariot driving activities that offered plenty of opportunity for a contrived accident. This quote shows the possibility the Tut was murdered by Horemheb. But Horemheb made no move to take the throne after Tut died, and could have gotten it if he wanted to. Why would he kill Tut if he obviously had no interest in being pharaoh? This mystery is exceptionally difficult. Although many reliable historians have different theories on King Tut, belief that King Tut was assassinated is incorrect. Closer examination reveals that King Tut died of natural causes. Indisputably, malaria must have weakened Tuts health greatly, and then a grisly accident caused a fracture in the leg, which got infected with gangrene. The combination of the deadliest

form of malaria, gangrene, and the pain of a skin-piercing bone break would be too much for Tuts deformed, inbred, young body to handle. He died shortly after. The cause of the boy kings shortened reign was clearly due to natural causes. In conclusion, King Tuts death was due to his multiple health disorders. Evidence such as gangrene traces and malaria in the bloodstream clearly show his bad health. No person would be able to survive so many ailments. In the end, these unfortunate disorders killed the pharaoh. King Tut was a great king, and did many pronounced things. He reinstated polytheism to the people of Egypt, whom had their religion oppressed by his father, Akhenaten. His untimely death was a great blow to his people, as he was a respected king. He did what he had to do, and more, because he cared for his people more than

anyone. King Tut should, and always will be, remembered for his benevolence.

Bibliography

Handwerk, Brian. "King Tut Not Murdered Violently, CT Scans Show." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 8 Mar. 2005. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. Kluger, Jeffrey, and Andrea Dorfman. "Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews." Time. Time, 9 Sept. 2002. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

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