A Gallery of Tutankhamun & Family

Questions & Answers

When did Tutankhamun rule Egypt?

Tutankhamun ruled Egypt between c. 1336 and c. 1327 BCE.

What did Tutankhamun do during his reign?

Tutankhamun began the process of dismantling his father's monotheistic belief system and returning Egypt to the polytheistic practices of the past. He died before he could finish this work, and it was accomplished by Horemheb, who then erased Tutankhamun's name and claimed the credit for himself.

Why is Tutankhamun so famous?

Tutankhamun is famous because of the discovery of his nearly intact tomb in 1922, which was world news, and because of the "curse of the mummy" that became popularized in 1923 and was associated with the opening of the tomb.

Is there any basis in fact for the "curse of Tutankhamun"?

No. The "curse of Tutankhamun" was based on a misinterpretation of an inscription found in the tomb and then the death of Howard Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon in 1923. Carter knew there was no curse but allowed the story to circulate because it scared people away from the tomb so he could work in peace and also caused those who had illegally taken or purchased ancient Egyptian artifacts to return them, hoping to distance themselves from the "curse".