While King Tutankhamun may not be the most significant figure in Ancient Egypt, he is one of the most well-known. Taking the throne at the age of 9, and then dying only a decade later, his brief reign became well known thousands of years after his death. The gold mask on his face is known everywhere. Now, he’s one of the most recognized pharaohs in the world, and the opening of his burial site by Howard Carter and his team helped make that happen.
Magazines
It turned out that Carter’s expedition was a great way to sell magazines. The magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, which featured travelers who visited exotic locations, often found that they were drawn to Ancient Egypt. They were immediately preyed upon by vengeful mummies (at least according to tabloid fodder). The myth of King Tut’s discovery also added that the mummies could curse you.
Batman
Believe it or not, King Tut is a part of the DC Universe, at least technically. The character is a Batman villain who believes himself to be the reincarnation of a lost king. He debuted in the Adam West version in 1966. He wasn’t as popular as other characters like the Joker, but he is considered, arguably by fans, to be one of the most successful villains of the 60s.
The Mask
The funerary mask is one of the most recognized historical artifacts of all time. Over the past century, it has been used for far more than souvenirs. For instance, it has been used for cultural expression, pride, graffiti, and reclaiming it so that people who profited from it historically can’t steal it, among other purposes. It’s also been featured in works by Harlem Renaissance artists.
Dance
The discovery of King Tut inspired songs to be written about it. “Old King Tut” was written in 1923 and was a jaunty tune that depicted the king as a ladies’ man, claiming he had a tomb full of souvenirs. It was popular and coincided with the popular Charleston dance.
Flappers
In the 1920s, Tutankhamun inspired women to adopt the aesthetic of kohl eyeliner; they cut their hair into bobs and wore ornamental jewelry featuring motifs depicting Egypt. He was an inspiration for Western women to change fashion, and while the fad reached its peak during the 1920s, its influence on the fashion industry remains evident today.
Movies
The mummy didn’t originate from literature, unlike other monsters. Instead, the Universal Pictures horror movie was inspired by Carter’s discovery of the tomb. When he and his team discovered the mummy and his riches, they experienced great misfortune. This led people to believe that the tomb was cursed. As a result, the movie The Mummy was born.
Marketing
Many companies decided to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the discovery and began selling products unrelated to Egypt. For instance, cigarettes, lemons, and even magicians began using this legendary king to their advantage. Other entrepreneurs were creative and started using the image of King Tut in different ways, including storybooks and other forms of media.
SNL
In the 1970s, the fascination with Tutankhamun resurfaced, and artifacts toured the United States, sparking a new generation’s obsession. Millions of people saw the tour, and the craze remained strong when SNL featured a skit in 1978. Many thought the skit was in bad taste, but the single ended up going platinum, and others found it endearing.
Candy
In the 1980s, the makers of chocolate oranges, Terry’s, sold a new option called the Pyramint. It resembled a pyramid and featured a mint fondant-filled chocolate shell. Kids also enjoyed Yummy Mummies. It was like Fun Dip, but the sticks were meant to look like mummies. It was a fun treat for younger audiences.
Architecture
Egyptian-style or inspired architecture has been evident in many areas throughout history, as various arrivals have occurred. In the 1920s, it was blended with the Art Deco movement, and cinemas and dozens of “Egyptian theaters” began to appear, featuring pyramids, columns, sphinxes, and other designs. However, this is only a fraction of those that are still in operation today.
His Memory
King Tut’s memory lives on in cinema, books, and other forms of media, as well as in museums and historical records. Through his influence, we can see how a young boy made history not necessarily through his life but through his death. If this list has inspired you, check out a movie or song!
