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[[Image:Tut_mask.jpg|right|thumb|The funeral mask of Tutankhamun]]'''Tutankhamun''', or '''King Tut''', was a [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]]'s 18th dynasty who reigned from 1336-1327 [[B.C.]]. He is usually identified as the son of [[Akhenaten]], the "heretic pharaoh" who replaced Egypt's traditional [[polytheism]] with the monotheistic cult of [[Aten]]. Tutankhamun restored polytheism and the cult of Amun.

[[Image:Tut_mask.jpg|right|thumb|The funeral mask of Tutankhamun]]'''Tutankhamun''', or '''King Tut''', was a [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]]'s 18th dynasty who reigned from 1336-1327 [[B.C.]]. There has been much controversy over his lineage over the years. The most up-to-date research suggests that Tut was the son of Pharaoh Smenkhkare, a brother of [[Akhenaten]] who ruled briefly in 1336 BC.<ref>Allen, James, "[http://www.academia.edu/10820535/ The_Amarna_Succession].</ref> Akhenaten, the "heretic pharaoh," replaced Egypt's traditional [[polytheism]] with the monotheistic cult of [[Aten]]. Tutankhamun restored polytheism and the cult of Amun.

Tut married Ankhesenamun, a daughter of Akhenaten and [[Nefertiti]] -- and Tut's half sister. Both of their children were girls who were born prematurely and died.<ref>[http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/tragedy-queen-ankhesenamun-sister-and-wife-tutankhamun-001555 The tragedy of Queen Ankhesenamun, sister and wife of Tutankhamun]</ref> Tut named army commander [[Horemheb]] as his successor. However, Horemheb was away on campaign when Tut died unexpectedly. Ay, Tut's vizier, succeeded him as pharaoh.

Tut married Ankhesenamun, a daughter of Akhenaten and [[Nefertiti]]. Meritaton, Tut's mother, was also a daughter of Akhenaten. On the paternal side, the royal couple were first cousins. On the maternal side, they were aunt and nephew. Both of their children were girls who were born prematurely and died immediately.<ref>[http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/tragedy-queen-ankhesenamun-sister-and-wife-tutankhamun-001555 The tragedy of Queen Ankhesenamun, sister and wife of Tutankhamun]</ref> Tut named army commander [[Horemheb]] as his successor. However, Horemheb was away on campaign when Tut died unexpectedly. Ay, Tut's vizier, succeeded him as pharaoh.

In the 19th dynasty, Akhenaten, Tut, and Ay were all treated as illegitimate rulers. Their names are omitted from the Abydos king list and an effort was made to remove all mention of them in records and on monuments. In 19th century, the history of this period was reconstructed by archeologists.

In the 19th dynasty, Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, Tut, and Ay were all treated as illegitimate rulers. Their names are omitted from the Abydos king list and an effort was made to remove all mention of them in records and on monuments. In 19th century, the history of this period was reconstructed by archeologists.

Tut's tomb was discovered intact by [[Howard Carter]] in 1922, still filled with gold, virtually untouched by looters. In 2010, genetic testing established that mummy KV55, discovered in 1907, is Tut's father, and that mummy KV35YL ("the Younger Lady"), discovered in 1898, is his mother. The large wound on the left side of the Younger Lady's face was made while she was still alive, so it appears that she was murdered.<ref>Hawass, Z., Y. Gad, et al., "[http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185393 Ancestry and Pathology in King Tutankhamun’s Family]" (2010), ''JAMA''.</ref> The two mummies are close relatives, probably brother and sister. They are usually identified as Akhenaten and an unrecorded secondary wife.

Tut's tomb was discovered intact by [[Howard Carter]] in 1922, still filled with gold, virtually untouched by looters. In 2010, genetic testing established that mummy KV55, discovered in 1907, is Tut's father, and that mummy KV35YL ("the Younger Lady"), discovered in 1898, is his mother. The large wound on the left side of the Younger Lady's face was made while she was still alive, so it appears that she was murdered.<ref>Hawass, Z., Y. Gad, et al., "[history.memphis.edu/murnane/Allen%20-%20Amarna%20Succession.pdf Ancestry and Pathology in King Tutankhamun’s Family]" (2010), ''JAMA''.</ref> If Smenkhkare and his wife were assassinated together, that could explain why his reign was so short. The tests also showed that the two mummies are close relatives. (Smenkhkare and Meritaton were uncle and niece.)

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