Life of Tutankhamun
The Life of Tutankhamun
What was the life of Tutankhamun like? How did he spend his childhood?
Where did he live? What did he wear? What was his hair like? Did he wear
make-up? How did he spend his leisure time? What was he taught and what
subjects were included in his education? What did Tutankhamun eat and
drink? All these questions and more, are answered on this page
reflecting on the life of Tutankhamun.
Life of Tutankhamun - The Childhood of
Tutankhamun
The childhood of Tutankhamun was spent
at the new city of Armana, where his parents assumed the roles of
autocratic rulers. His religious education would have been based on the
new religion and the worship of the sole god, the Aten. It was a time of
change and enormous upheaval for the people who lived around him. But as
a child he would have played with the other children of the royal court.
The boys would have played ball games and with animal toys. They also enjoyed
more boisterous games and piggy back and leapfrog. Toy swords and spears
were used emulating male adults. Marbles, darts and bowls were also used
in favorite games for boys. The Nile played such a great part in
everyday life that activities surrounding the river were also popular
especially toy boats.
Life of Tutankhamun - Sports
Tutankhamun would also enjoyed sports related
activities such as hunting and fishing. Hunting could be an extremely
dangerous sport due to the wild nature of the animals which were hunted,
and Tutankhamun would not have been allowed to participate in these
dangerous hunts until he was into his teens. He would also have
become highly proficient in all military related sports including
archery, spear throwing and riding chariots. There are depictions on the
tomb of Tutankhamun showing scenes where he is riding a chariot. It is
quite possible that he also fought in battles against the enemies of
Egypt, the Hittites and the Nubians. No less than six chariots were
buried with King Tut in his tomb.
Life of Tutankhamun - The Culture and
Court of Tutankhamun
The Ancient Egyptians lived in a well ordered society which
was administered by law enforcers, judges and courts. All classes of
society paid taxes who in turn paid for the government and army. The
Pyramid of Power started with the Pharaoh who was the absolute ruler of
Ancient Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians loved music and Tutankhamun would
have enjoyed music which would have provided a focal point at banquets
and religious ceremonies.
Life of Tutankhamun - What did
Tutankhamun eat and drink?
Egyptian Food and Drink varied according to
status and wealth. In the royal palace Tutankhamun would have enjoyed a
large variety of food and drinks served from dishes made of faience,
gold, silver and bronze. He would have dined at low tables eating with
his fingers. Meat was expensive because Egypt had limited land for
grazing as it was needed for growing crops but the royal court and
Tutankhamun would have ate Beef, Mutton
Goat, Antelope, Gazelle, Pelican and various other types of
poultry. Fish was plentiful and included Catfish, Tuna, Mullet, Perch
and Carp. Bread was made in moulds producing a variety of different
shapes and sizes and Tutankhamun would have eaten luxury bread which was
flavored with honey, nuts and dates. Everyone drank beer in Ancient
Egypt, even the children. Wines were a favorite drink and came in
different varieties of red and white, sweet and dry.
Life of Tutankhamun - His home, the
Palace
Tutankhamun would have been raised in a brand new palace at Armana which housed
everyone associated with the noble family. The most ornate rooms in the
palace were those which would be visited by members of the public. These
fabulous rooms were large with high ceilings
and painted with exquisite relief's and decorations which would have
even included
the use of semi-precious stones in the magnificent columns. Ornate,
glazed tiles were used to cover the floors. The great palaces would have
courtyards, halls, public rooms, dining rooms,
kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, servants rooms and outside there were stables
and landscaped gardens containing flowers, ponds, fig trees, date palms,
pools, terraces and sun shades. The palaces would have been
opulently furnished and furniture was
often inlaid with gold, silver, bronze and precious stones
or painted with vibrant colors depicting
aspects of the life of the pharaoh.
Life of Tutankhamun - His Education at
the Prince's School
Tutankhamun would have attended the Prince's School
which educated the sons of the
Pharaoh, members of the royal family, nobles and high officials.
The lessons undertaken
when he was very young would have consisted of basic mathematics and reciting sums.
As he became older Tutankhamun would have received a good,
well rounded education with lessons including Reading, Writing, History, Maths, Arithmetic and
geometry, Astronomy, Music, Geography, Science and Medicine.
Life of Tutankhamun - His Clothes
Tutankhamun and members of the royal family
wore the finest linen. The clothes needed very
little stitching as they were simply draped around the body, however the
higher the status of the person the more clothes and make-up they wore.
He would have had the choice of many different types of jewelry
including rings, bracelets and amulets. Many of these items were light
and delicate, however, the pectoral form of jewelry was large, heavy and
elaborate which was worn on the chest often taking the shapes of
falcons and scarabs.
Life of Tutankhamun - His Make-up
The higher the status of the person the more
clothes and make-up they wore.
Tutankhamun would have worn distinctive eye make up, rouge and perfumed
oils that softened the skin and prevented burning in the sun and damage
from the sandy winds. His Eye make up would have been extremely
elaborate and the almond eye look would have been created by using:
-
Black Kohl - a
mixture of soot and galena
-
Green malchite
stone was crushed and then mixed to use as the green eye make up
-
Red ochre was
used as rouge to stain their lips and cheeks
-
Forms of henna
to paint their nails and color their hair
Life of Tutankhamun - His Hair
The Egyptian hairstyles of children consisted of a shaved head except
for one, long plaited lock which hung at the side. This lock of hair was
referred to as the 'Lock of Youth' and would have been worn by the young
Tutankhamun up until the age of puberty. The 'Lock of Youth' would then
be cut off and the same hairstyle as the men - short or shaved, was
adopted. Elaborately curled and
adorned wigs would have been worn by Tutankhamun at special public
occasions and at religious ceremonies.
Life of Tutankhamun
Each section of this Tutankhamun website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Pharaohs and of Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject
of the Life of Tutankhamun!
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