Tutankhamun and the Daughter of Ra

IntroductionAkhenaten, the “heretic” king, who tried to revolutionize the Egyptian religious pantheon and make the Aten, as represented by the disc of the sun, supreme and only god, has died, probably by assassination. His successor, Smenkhkare, has also mysteriously disappeared. The young boy, Tutankhaten, his son by a secondary wife, has acceded to the throne, his legitimacy ensured by his marriage to Akhenaten’s daughter, his half-sister, Ankhesenpaaten. After much political and court intrigue, General Horemheb has gained control over the Two Lands and re-asserted the power of the Priests of Amun. * * * * Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922 by the archaeologist Howard Carter, and some of the most magnificent artifacts we have from ancient Egypt were found, undisturbed. There cannot be many people alive today who have not heard of Tutankhamun, or seen the objects from his tomb on display in museums or photographed in books. But not so many know the story of his wife, the young Ankhesenamun, facing dangerous and troubled times. Letters from her have been discovered and preserved, telling a story both moving and tragic, but also of daring, intelligence and courage. This is basically her story — the Daughter of Ra. “Hail to you, you owners of souls, who are devoid of wrong, who exist for all eternity! Open to me, for I am a spirit in my own shape, I have power by means of this my magic, and I am recognised as a spirit.” Spell 72, The Book of the Great Awakening (From The Book Of The Dead by R O Faulkner, British Museum Publications, 1985)