Dynasty 18 Royal Family Tree

Tutankhamun's Childhood 

Evidence surrounding Tutankhamun's childhood is limited but several aspects of his early life have been deduced from archaeological evidence and historical records. Here are some key features of his childhood:

1. Birth and Family Background:

   • Tutankhamun was born around 1341 BCE in Akhetaten, during the reign of his father, Akhenaten, who is known for attempting to establish monotheism by worshipping the sun god Aten. He was raised in his father's city Akhetaten, dedicated to the God Aten. Tutankhamun would have witnessed Aten religious practises, worshipping a form of the sun god in open air temples, with no cult staff or restricted secret cult rooms.  

   • His mother’s identity is still debated, though it is believed she was one of Akhenaten’s wives, Kiya. 

   • He was originally named Tutankhaten (meaning "Living Image of Aten") but changed his name to Tutankhamun (meaning "Living Image of Amun") after Akhenaten’s death, marking a return to the traditional polytheistic worship of Egypt’s gods.

2. Early Life During Akhenaten’s Reign:

   • During his childhood, Egypt was in a period of religious upheaval, as Akhenaten moved the capital from Thebes to the city of Amarna and implemented radical religious reforms, focusing on the worship of Aten.

   • As the son of Akhenaten, Tutankhamun would have been raised in this unique environment, though he would have been a child when the political and religious climate began to shift after his father's death.

3. Accession to the Throne:

   • Tutankhamun became pharaoh at a very young age, around 9 or 10 years old, after the death of his father and the brief rule of his possible older brother, Smenkhkare.

   • He was likely chosen to be king because of his royal lineage, but his youth meant he had little control over the kingdom's affairs. Instead, powerful advisors, particularly Ay (his grandfather or an older relative) and Horemheb, took control of the government.

4. Education and Training:

   • As a royal child, Tutankhamun would have received the normal education given to prospective Kings in various subjects, including reading, writing, administration, religion and rituals

   • He would also have been trained in military and governance skills, 

5. Health:

   • Tutankhamun’s health as a child may have been compromised by various illnesses. He suffered from several genetic disorders, possible a result of incestuous marriages within the royal family.

   • Evidence from his mummified remains suggests he had a clubfoot, which would may have made walking difficult, and also training for the military. Evidence from his tomb indicates he was able to navigate his physical issues based on the fact his tomb contained 6 chariots and numerous bows. Around 130 walking sticks were found in his tomb some showing extensive wear.  

6. Influence of Advisors:

   • Once king, Tutankhamun was heavily reliant on advisors and regents to govern, especially during his childhood. These advisors, such as Aye and Horemheb, played significant roles in stabilizing Egypt after Akhenaten's reign and returning Egypt to traditional religion. 

7. Return to Traditional Religion:

   • As a young pharaoh, Tutankhamun's reign marked a return to the traditional polytheistic beliefs and the restoration of the god Amun as the central deity, abandoning the Aten worship his father had promoted.

   • This shift may have been influenced by his advisors or his role as he inherited the throne at such a young age. His Restoration stele described the return in year 4 which would have made him around 13 years of age.

In more detail> 

King Tut was the son of the powerful Akhenaten (also known as Amenhotep IV) and most likely one of Akhenaten's sisters. At the time of his birth, ancient Egypt was going through great social and political upheaval, his father's new religion was extremely unpopular and the people feared that the Gods would permanently abandon Egypt. . Tutankhamun's father had forbidden the worship of many gods in favor of worshiping one, Aten, the sun disk. For this, he is known as the "heretic king." Historians differ on how extensive the change from polytheism to monotheism was, or whether Akhenaten was only attempting to elevate Aten above the other gods. It does seem, however, that his intent was to reduce the power of the Amun priests and shift the traditional temple-based economy to a new regime run by local government administrators and military commanders. This must have impacted on the ability to administer Egypt, a task that normally was based in Temples which were now left in ruin. 

As the populace was forced to honor Aten, the religious conversion threw the society into chaos. The capital was changed from Thebes to Armana, and Akhenaten put all of his efforts into the religious transition, neglecting domestic and foreign affairs. As the power struggle between old and new intensified, Akhenaten became more autocratic and his regime more corrupt. Following a 17-year reign, he died soon after. Another King named Smenkhare ruled for a few short years moving the royal court back to Thebes. Upon his death Akhenaten's now nine-year-old son, Tutankhamun, took over around 1332 B.C.E. 

Tutankhamen grew up in his fathers capital dedicated to the Aten called Akhetaten. It is unlikely that he was initially aware of the changes his father had brought to Egypt's or knowledge of Egypt's traditional gods or indeed life outside of Amarna where Akhnaten's religious revolution had brought great distress and havoc to religion.  Tutankhamen would have observed his father officiating at Aten Temples alongside his favorite wife Nefertiti. Scenes from the Amarnan Tombs show an affectionate royal family and an idealized life revolving around Atenism. After the death of Akhenaten and the relocation to Thebes, Tutankhamun would have had to undertake a fast education in polytheism, learning about the many and varied ways of Egyptian Gods, and worship practices associated which each. Pharaoh, was head of all cults in Egypt and he was expected to understand the worship rituals of each, this must of been a challenging learning curve for young Tutankhamun. The Restoration Stele records the jubilation of the people with this popular reform. Quite likely, due to his young age and popular policies Tutankhamun would have been welcomed and accepted to the throne by the masses. 

What would be the defining features of Tutankhamen's childhood? 

Explain what would have been difficult for him as the new King in the context of this period in Egyptian history. 

Boy King in Power

Because Tutankhaten was just nine years old when he assumed power in 1332 B.C.E., in Thebes. The first years of his reign were probably controlled by his grandfather Aye, who bore the title of Vizier. Ay was assisted by Horemheb, Egypt's top military commander at the time. It is believed that these men led  young Tut to reverse Akhenaten's decree to worship Aten in favor of the traditional polytheistic beliefs, although there is some evidence that this was begun by Smenkare who only ruled for a few short years. 

When Tutankhamun a few years after the return to Thebes, he continued the Restoration of traditional religion, repairing temples, reinstating cult staff and reestablishing Amun Re into pre-eminence once again. 

While foreign policy was neglected during Akhenaten's reign, Tutankhamun sought to restore better relations with ancient Egypt's neighbors. While there is some evidence to suggest that Tutankhamun's diplomacy was successful, during his reign battles took place between Egypt and the Nubians and Asiatics over territory and control of trade routes. Tutankhamun was trained in the military, the 6 chariots in his tomb attest to his passion for this activity and also archery. The question is did he see any military action? The poor state of his mummy (some scholars have suggested) was due to him dying whilst on military campaign. 

Tutankhmaun's chariots. 

Tutankhamun- Public and Private life. 

Make a list all the facts we know about Tutankhamun's life, what he liked, his personal connections, his responsibilites. 

Next to each fact write a piece of evidence that proves this fact. 

Can you think of evidence for each of the following roles. 

Public: Pharaoh

Warrior Pharaoh

High Priest

Head of Government

Builder

Private: 

Son

Husband

Father

Hunter