Tutankhamun in hieroglyphs (2024)

The thirteenth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, a.k.a. Tutankhamon, King Tut, Tutankhamen

Despite being almost unknown before 1922 and only reigning for a very brief period of time, Tutankhamun has definitely become as the most well-known pharaoh of modern times after the discovery of his treasure-filled tomb that same year.

In Amarna letter EA 9, the king of Babylon wrote to the pharaoh of Egypt. The name transliterates to Ni-ib-hu-ur-re-re-ia, which transcribes to Nib-khurre-reya, which probably is the Akkadian cuneiform rendition of Neb-kheperu-ra. This is still debated among Egyptologists, and could instead belong to his father, Akhenaten. However, Akkadian nib only transcribes Egyptian neb and never nefer, which means it can't belong to Akhenaten, whose throne name begins with Nefer-. The content of EA 9 itself fits better with Akhenaten though, so the identity can't be said to be final for sure.

Precedessor Smenkhkara Successor Ay
Reign of Tutankhamun
AE Chronology	?–1324
v. Beckerath	1335–1325
Shaw	1336–1327
Dodson	1343–1333
Arnold	1348–1338
Malek	1336–1327
Grimal	1336–1327
Redford	1355–1346
Manetho (Josephus)	9 years
Manetho (Africanus)	6 years
Manetho (Jerome)	9 years
Highest attestation	Year 10

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Ka nakht tut mesut The Dual King Neb kheperu Ra Son of Ra Tut ankh Amun

Horus names

The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.

Horus name

Ka nakht tut mesut

kꜢ-nḫt twt-mswt

The strong bull, pleasing of birth

E1:D40-t-w&t-ms-s-w-t:Z2

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2056
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:H1

Horus name variant

Ka nakht tut mesut

kꜢ-nḫt twt-mswt

The strong bull, pleasing of birth

E1:D40-t-w&t-A23-ms-s-W-A17-t:Z2

Restoration stele, CG 34183
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2025
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:H2

Horus name variant

Ka nakht tut mesut

kꜢ-nḫt twt-mswt

The strong bull, pleasing of birth

E1:D40-t&w&t-ms-t-s

Ornamental gilt and inlaid casket (JE 61476), Carter No. 44

Horus name variant

Ka nakht tut mesut

Nebty names

The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet,representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.

Nebty name

Nefer hepu segereh tawy

nfr-hpw sgrḥ-tꜢwi

One of perfect laws, whopacifies the Two Lands

nfr-h:p-w-iz-Z3-s-g:r-H-a:N17:N17-N21:N21

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2054
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:N1

Nebty name variant

Nefer hepu segereh tawy, sehotep netjeru nebu

nfr-hpw sgrḥ-tꜢwi sḥtp-nṯrw-nbw

One of perfect laws, whopacifies the Two Lands and satisfied the gods

nfr-h:p-w-Z3-s-g:r-H-a:N17:N17-s-Htp:t*p-nTrw:nb-w

Petrie, Illahun, Kahun and Gurob, plate 24 (12)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:N3

Nebty name variant

Wer ah Amun

wr-Ꜥḥ-imn

Great of the palace of Amun

wr:r-aH-pr:Z1-i-mn:n

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2033
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:N2

Golden Horus names

Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity,but its meaning is disputed.

Golden Horus name

Wetjes khau sehotep netjeru

wṯs-ḫꜤw sḥtp-nṯrw

Elevated of appearances who satisfied the gods

U39-xa:Z2-s-Htp:t*p-nTrw

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2054
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:G1

Golden Horus name variant

Wetjes khau sehotep netjeru

wṯz-ḫꜤw sḥtp-nṯrw

Elevated of appearances who satisfied the gods

U39-xa:Z2-z:Htp:t*p-nTrw

Restoration stele, CG 34183
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2056
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:G2

Golden Horus name variant

Wetjes khau itef Ra

wṯz ḫꜤw-it.f-rꜤ

Who has elevated the appearances of his father Ra

w-T:z-U39-xa:Z2-i-t:f-A40:f-A40E

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2044
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:G3

Throne names

Announced at the coronation and always written in acartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known asthe Prenomen.

Throne name

Neb kheperu Ra

nb-ḫprw-rꜤ

Lord of the forms of Ra

ra-xpr-Z2:nb

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2043
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 115,118; III, 119b, Text 79
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:T1

Throne name variant

Neb kheperu Ra

nb-ḫprw-rꜤ

Lord of the forms of Ra

ra:nb-xpr-Z2

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2058
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:T2

Throne name variant

Neb kheperu Ra, heqa Maat

nb-ḫprw-rꜤ ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt

Lord of the forms of Ra, ruler of Maat

ra:nb-xpr-Z3-HqA-Sw

Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2057
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:T3

Birth names

Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.

Birth name

Tut ankh Amun

twt-Ꜥnḫ-imn

The living image of Amun

i-mn:n-t&w&t-anx

Statue of Tutankhamun CG 42091 (JE 36583)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:E3

Birth name variant

Tut ankh Amun heqa Iunu shemai

twt-Ꜥnḫ-imn ḥḳꜢ-iwnw-šmꜤi

The living image of Amun, ruler of southern Heliopolis

i-mn:n-t&w&t-anx-HqA-iwn-Sma

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 115+119b; Text III, 79
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:E2

Birth name variant

Tut ankh Aton

twt-Ꜥnḫ-itn

The living image of Aton

i-t:n:ra-t&w&t-anx-n:x

Name at birth, changed to Tutankhamun after Amarna period
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , IV, 2056
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 144-145, 12:E1

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

Author	Greek	Transcription	Reign
Africanus _{xviii, 11}	Ραθως	Rathos	6 years
Eusebius _{xviii, 10}	Aθωρις	Athoris	39 years
Jerome		Achoris	9 years
Josephus ₉₆	Pαθωτις	Rathotis	9 years

Bibliography

Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 18 (1912): 365–373
Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 144–145
Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 106
Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 479–481

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