The Life of King Tutankhamun Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Life of King Tutankhamun - Essay Example Little is known of King Tut beyond his name, age, and the fact that he was a pharaoh king, but there is endless speculation surrounding him. Archaeologists have historically divided into opposing factions, each side failing to utilize hard evidence to support their claims for validity. There are differing opinions on his parentage, claim to the throne, religious beliefs, and most notably - the manner of his death. A careful examination of the clues and research leads to some, not all of the answers. On November 25, 1922 Howard Carter, Egyptologist and Lord Carnarvon accompanied by his daughter, Lady Evelyn Herbert were the first to glimpse into the tomb emblazoned with the name Nebkheprure-Tutankhamen3. After financing a long and expensive archeological dig, it certainly must have been with much relief that Lord Carnarvon breathed in the stale air of the most complete Pharaoh's tomb ever to be discovered. It was a ground-breaking discovery that owed much to the obscurity of King Tut's life. His tomb, once sealed was forgotten, placed beneath Ramses VI's tomb in an obscure corner of the Valley of the Kings4. At one time, workmen from the XX dynasty were housed in the shifting sands about King Tut's tomb5 proving that his existence was all but wiped away. Slightly more obscure than the location of his final resting p... At one time, workmen from the XX dynasty were housed in the shifting sands about King Tut's tomb5 proving that his existence was all but wiped away. Slightly more obscure than the location of his final resting place is the origin of Tutankhamen himself. The great uncertainties surrounding Tutankhamen are his obscure parentage and the manner of his death. His parentage is never clearly agreed upon because it is never clearly stated. King Tut's birth can be traced to the years between 34 and 35 of Amenophis III's reign6 and dating of the mummified remains assist in knowing how old King Tut was when he died7. This knowledge is useful in attempting to discover the identity of his parents. At the time of the reign of his predecessor Akhenaten, who was the leader of a great religious usurping records on the princes were not kept. Only the princesses were acknowledged in accordance with the beliefs of Aten, the chosen god of Akhenaten.8 This belief system in effect, clouds any written records that might have survived with Tutankhamen's treasure. Two artifacts did survive with his treasure, which serve as an obvious nudge in the correct direction of his parental lineage. "There was in the child king's tomb a small golden statuette showing Amenophis III crouching in the attitude of the solar child, as if to show his oneness with the son in whose flesh he would be reborn. This statuette, wrapped in linen and laid in a tiny coffin, was found beside a lock of Queen Tiye's hair touchingly enclosed like a mummy in its own little sarcophagus"9. Also, an alabaster pitcher with the couple's name is found elsewhere in the tomb along with various other artifacts from various members of the royal family who appear to be

What is the Quran about according to Fazlur Rahmans book Major Themes Essay

What is the Quran about according to Fazlur Rahmans book Major Themes of the Quran - Essay Example This paper presents the major Qur’anic themes as Rahman presents theme as they are organized in chapter order. Rahman synthesizes the major themes logically rather than chronologically and the Quran has been allowed to speak for itself and interpretation has been used only as necessary for joining together ideas. In this classical work, Rahman unveils the Qur’an’s focuses on issues of God, society, revelation, and prophesy in such admirably logical manner (Rahman 6). In other words, Qur’an, which is referred to as the last, revealed Word of God the Book talks about God, His relationship with a man, man-to-man relationship and man relationship with nature. According to Rahman, the Qur’an must always be read with the spirit of wholeness and a sincere attempt to seek pure guidance (Rahman, 5). Additionally, the Holy Book is regarded as a complete code of life taking into account that Islam is but a complete way of human life and so Qur’an is its source of guidance on the mundane lives. Moreover, Rahman explains that the Qur’an’s teachings are no t restricted to a particular nation or a specific era but for the global community. The Book provides comprehensive piece of legalization in addition to the moral principles as a way of ensuring cordial human relationship with one another. It also explains the afterlife concept of Eschatology, Satan, and Evil. The Book is organized based primarily on the major themes. The theme of God opens the first chapter of Rahman’s book discussing the necessity of God, His Unity and its implications. According to him, the Qur’an is a document aimed at man and so it is no treatise about God and His nature. However, the elaboration about God’s existence is strictly functional, in the sense that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe (Rahman 1). Additionally, God judges man either individually or collectively and He metes out to him merciful