Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of The Pharaohs

Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of The Pharaohs

Before Tut’s Reign

Tutankhamun’s Dynasty
The young pharaoh Tutankhamun was one of the last of an illustrious line of kings of the 18^th Dynasty (1539 to 1292 BCE). He followed in the footsteps of his powerful ancestors, who had set the pattern of kingship by acting as both war leaders and builders. Under this dynasty, Egypt reached the summit of its military dominance and artistic achievement.

Tutankhamun's Royal Predecessors
A few highlights of the more famous rulers from this Dynasty include:

	Ahmose—Founder of the New Kingdom and the 18^th Dynasty, Ahmose completed the defeat of the Hyksos, who had invaded Egypt almost 100 years earlier.
	Tuthmosis I—He was the first pharaoh to carve his tomb into the rocky slopes of the Valley of the Kings, where King Tutankhamun’s tomb was later built.
	Hatshepsut—One of the few female pharaohs, she built many famous structures, such as her mortuary temple at Deir el Bahri.
	Thuthmosis III—This pharaoh is remembered as a mighty military leader who enlarged the Egyptian empire to its greatest extent.
	Amenhotep II—The king who created one of the first known peace treaties, Amenhotop II ushered in a golden age of stability and prosperity.

The Height of The Empire
At the tender age of 12, Amenhotep III (Tutankhamun’s probable grandfather) inherited the throne—and the vast Egyptian empire—from his father Tuthmosis IV. Under his long and prosperous reign, Egypt’s literary and artistic production reached its highest level and vast quantities of gold poured into the country.

After a 38-year reign, Amenhotep III passed away and his son Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) took over the throne. This controversial pharaoh created great upheaval by promoting a revolutionary religious philosophy—one that his successor, Tutankhamun, would be forced to handle.

Continue to Tutankhamun’s Inheritance >>