When the young king died unexpectedly, he was buried in the Valley of the Kings in what was probably not intended as a king’s tomb. While his cause of death is unknown, it has been suggested it was the result of injuries, perhaps from a chariot accident, or from an infectious or congenital illness. His reign did not last long, as analysis of his mummy suggests that he was around 19 when he died. Tutankhamun became king when he was around nine years old. The uraeus (a rearing cobra, an ancient Egyptian symbol for royalty and authority) on his forehead protected him, while the bull's tail, finely carved between his legs, conveyed strength. This statue is a conventional representation of an Egyptian king, conveying his supreme status as head of state and of the religious hierarchy. In this granodiorite statue, Amenhotep III is shown wearing a nemes head-dress, which was in reality made from a piece of cloth. The king ordered huge temples to be built, provided with finely-sculpted statues of himself and the gods. His name incorporates that of Amun, one of the most powerful deities of the time.Īmenhotep's reign was marked by a strong government and stable society, supported by enormous wealth from Egypt's empire – especially gold from Nubia.
The reign of Tutankhamun's grandfather Amenhotep III (around 1390–1352 BC) marked the peak of ancient Egypt's prosperity and reflected long-held traditions of kingship and religious belief.
