Famous Pharaohs

King Tut

Tutankhamun was 9 years old when he became pharaoh. Many young boys became pharaohs because their father died. They had lots of help from special priests, military leaders, and other important people. Tut definitely would have needed many trusted helpers since he was so young.

He was only 19 when he died. The ancient Egyptians did not have a lot of time to build his tomb so it was small compared to others. Since it was so small, his tomb was overlooked and not rediscovered for many years.

In 1922, an archaeologist named Howard Carter found King Tut's tomb. It was filled with treasures and many other items. The artifacts gave us information about Egyptian life. Even more amazing than the treasure was that King Tut had not been seen since he'd been placed in his tomb by the ancient Egyptians 3000 years earlier. This made Tut's tomb more special than others. It had not been disturbed by grave robbers or tomb raiders. It was just as the ancient people had left it.

Examining the mummy and tomb, archaeologists made these conclusions:

~ He was healthy. However, walking canes suggest he had a leg injury

~ His teeth were cavity free - maybe the Egyptians had dentists

~ Tut's skull was damaged

Some think he was murdered since he died so young and his skull was damaged. Scans of his body in the year 2000 proved the damage to his head was done after he died probably during mummification. Some believe he died of an infection from breaking his leg which might have occurred in a chariot accident. They concluded he broke his femur (thigh bone) and it caused a serious infection inside his body. In 2010, forensic experts even studied his DNA. They learned he had malaria and this could have also caused his early death.

Inside his tomb, murals were painted on the walls that told the story of Tut's funeral and his journey to the afterworld. Also in the room were other artifacts — oils, perfumes, toys from his childhood, precious jewelry and statues of gold. His funeral mask was made of solid gold. The mask weighs 25 pounds and contains many gemstones. It is one of the most famous works of art in history.

Hatshepsut

Queen Hatshepsut was the wife of a pharaoh. She had a 10 year old step-son that was supposed to become the new king or pharaoh after her husband died. Instead, she claimed he was too young to be ruling all of Egypt. She declared herself to be his regent. A regent was someone who would rule for another person when they could not do the job. Because the position of pharaoh is usually passed from father to oldest son, she had to prove herself worthy of ruling Egypt. Unlike other pharaohs, she avoided war and focused on trade. She made Egypt rich and spent money rebuilding temples. Hatshepsut often wore men's clothing to convince people she could handle the job. She wanted the Egyptian people to respect her and think she was capable of ruling the empire.

One of her best decisions was ordering a trade expedition. An expedition is a long trip or journey. The goal of her trade expedition was to exchange goods with neighbors to the south of Egypt. Many helpers had to go on this trip. Trading with others could make Egypt rich, but it would also allow ideas to be shared.

A huge caravan of scribes, soldiers, artists, and helpers set off on a sandy road that led to the Red Sea. There they loaded onto five ships for the journey. Hatshepsut took jewelry, papyrus, and bronze weapons. She traded those for gold, perfume, ivory, leopard skins, and live apes. This trip or expedition lasted two years. Archaeologists have found hieroglyphics about this journey.

During her time as queen, her step-son plotted against her. It is not known how she died, but afterwards many believe her step-son (Thutmose III) ordered all the statues in her honor to be destroyed.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra became a pharaoh at the young age of 18. Her father the pharaoh died and he wanted his children to share the throne. Therefore, Cleopatra ruled with her brother even though they hated each other. She formed an alliance with Julius Caesar the leader of Rome. Rome was becoming the most powerful civilization in the world so she thought this would help defeat her brother.

Cleopatra and Caesar formed a friendship and then fell in love. They defeated Cleopatra's brother and stayed in Egypt for a few years. They had a son, named Caesarian. Back in Rome, the people became upset with the Roman leader Caesar. They thought he was spending too much time helping Cleopatra and ignoring Rome. Rumors spread that Caesar might move the capitol of Rome to Egypt. Many important people in Rome wanted Caesar dead. Caesar was eventually murdered by his own friends that said they did it to save the Roman empire from Egypt and Cleopatra.

After Caesar was killed, two other Romans named Marc Antony and Octavian decided to split up Rome and share power. Later, Marc Antony wanted to meet the Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra and Marc Antony fell in love and had three children. Marc Antony and Cleopatra lived their best lives traveling and having fun but people thought they were ignoring their royal duties.

Eventually, Marc Antony and Octavian went to war because sharing power rarely worked in ancient times. After many battles, it was clear Octavian would win. In the end, Marc Antony and Cleopatra both killed themselves but at different times. Before she died, Cleopatra requested to be buried beside her true love Marc Antony. Experts believe she wanted to keep their burial place a secret because they have never been found. She was 39 and the last pharaoh of Egypt. Rome then conquered all of the Egyptian territory.

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