Using a Variety of Evidence from the Tomb of Tutankhamun, Discuss the Role/Life of the Pharaoh in New Kingdom Egypt. Essay Example
The pharaoh was undoubtedly the most important terrestrial figure in ancient Egypt and played a significant role in the functioning of Egyptian society. Entrusted with governing the realm of Egypt and providing a link between the Egyptian people and the gods, pharaohs were “an essential element in the maintenance of the position of society in the order of creation”. This idea has been substantiated through the various artefacts located in tombs in the Valley of the Kings, particularly that of Tutankhamun. These finds have shed light on the role and lifestyle of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt. Through the discovery and analysis of these items, historians and archaeologists alike have been able to glean considerable amounts of information in regards to the pharaoh’s role in religion and the afterlife, warfare and leisure activities.
The afterlife and religion were integral facets of daily life and the ancient Egyptian culture, and the pharaoh provided a fundamental link between the spiritual deities and the Egyptian people. This role was exemplified through the various festivals and customs that the pharaoh was involved in with regard to religious practices, as well as the intricate afterlife traditions that centred on the pharaoh’s right to eternal life. The wall paintings in Tutankhamun’s tomb explicate the importance of the afterlife, particularly in relation to the pharaoh himself. Although only his burial room bore murals upon the wall, the spectacular pictures elucidate Tutankhamun’s holy entry into the afterlife and the customary rituals that were performed. The Opening of the Mouth ceremony is depicted on the north-facing wall of the burial chamber, while the rest of the panel and the opposing wall show Tutankhamun being welcomed to the afterlife by various significant gods, including Osiris and Nut. The pharaoh’s funeral procession is also portrayed on the walls of the tomb, and the culmination of these images effectively demonstrate the supreme importance
The afterlife and religion were integral facets of daily life and the ancient Egyptian culture, and the pharaoh provided a fundamental link between the spiritual deities and the Egyptian people. This role was exemplified through the various festivals and customs that the pharaoh was involved in with regard to religious practices, as well as the intricate afterlife traditions that centred on the pharaoh’s right to eternal life. The wall paintings in Tutankhamun’s tomb explicate the importance of the afterlife, particularly in relation to the pharaoh himself. Although only his burial room bore murals upon the wall, the spectacular pictures elucidate Tutankhamun’s holy entry into the afterlife and the customary rituals that were performed. The Opening of the Mouth ceremony is depicted on the north-facing wall of the burial chamber, while the rest of the panel and the opposing wall show Tutankhamun being welcomed to the afterlife by various significant gods, including Osiris and Nut. The pharaoh’s funeral procession is also portrayed on the walls of the tomb, and the culmination of these images effectively demonstrate the supreme importance