Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

T is for TUTANKHAMEN



The Rogue Speaks:

My "T" offering for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday is about the boy king affectionately known as TUT!

He was the son-in-law of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh, whose rule has been determined as the most over-rated on of all the Pharaohs. As for Tut's own parents, we know nothing. He could have been a descendant of a Royal, but then again, maybe not. By marrying the daughter of a king, however, he became a potential heir to the throne, according to Egyptian law.

Akhenaten had no male heirs, but he did have daughters. His daughter Mertaten was married, and her husband, Smenkhkare, was associated with her father as co-regent. She had wanted to be queen, but her husband died around the same time as her father, and shortly after, she disappeared, leaving the the throne up for grabs.

To make a long story short, Tut was married to the only surviving daughter,Ankhesenpaaten. They were both mere children at the time, so of course there was someone in the background, pulling all the strings. This someone was Ay, Chief Priest, Court Chamberlain, who was a personal friend of Akhenaten, and whose wife, Tyi, was a nurse to the royal wife, Nefertiti.

Ay really wanted to be the next Pharaoh, so it is suspected that he had a lot to do with Tut's early demise.

Far more interesting than the life of King Tut is the discovery of his tomb in the Valley of The Kings. The tomb, a fairly modest one, lay hidden for more than 3000 years.

In the late 1800's, an American business man, Theodore Davis, was the first person to find items related to Tut's resting place.

In 1907, more clues were discovered in a small pit, but were disregarded by Davis as having any significance. It wasn't until later that Egyptolotist Howard Carter, working with Davis realized the importance of those relics. He became convinced that Tut's tomb lay in the Valley of the Kings. He was permitted to begin digging in 1914, but the war broke out and it wasn't until 1921 that the actual excavation began.

The tomb was found and opened! It was heavily photographed and eventually the contents were taken to the Cairo Museum. There have been two world tours of these treasures--in the 1970's and again in 2005.

But enough about those old mummies! Here is a photo of the REAL King Tut. He stole my heart and tickled my funny bone many years ago, and he still does today.

Steve Martin, that "wild and crazy guy," is one of the most gifted comedians that I know. The most important aspect of his talent is his impeccable timing. There is just no other comedian who can match him in that regard. Tuts may come, and Tuts may go, but to me, his Tut is THE BEST!!

54 comments:

Bruce Coltin said...

It's sad when it happens to any artist. You've been sniffing your paint again.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I love this song, and I loved watching Steve dance to it! I so regret that I missed out on seeing the King Tut exhibit when I was in Elementary School. (Don't know why.)
xoRobyn

Tammy said...

Interesting history! And I agree about Steve Martin. Love hearing the song again.

Pondside said...

Yes, Steve is one special Tut!
I'll never forget seeing Tut at the museum in Washington in the 70's.

Judie said...

Actually, Bruce, I've been eating vermillian crimson.

21 Wits said...

Oh this is a wonderful T...my daughter, and my best friend took the train one weekend to Chicago and one of the things we saw was King Tut's show at the Field Museum...a very good show as was your description of the sad story actually dying so young...but a great post for T!

Tom Hakkinen said...

Had to Youtube this one, but it's a good'un. You're right, Steve Martin is really funny in that song.

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

You can't even think "King Tut" without thinking Steve Martin. We just watched the 30 Rock last night where he made a guest appearance. Oh man, he still cracks me up.

Bruce Coltin said...

Does it taste like chicken?

Unknown said...

Great 'T' post :) My dad is a big history fan so when the exhibition came to LA several years ago, he convinced us to go with him. It was a pretty awesome exhibition!
Unfortunately, I'm not very knowledgeable about Steve Martin's "King Tut" so I'm going to have to google it to learn more about it.

Judie said...

Bruce, actually it tastes sweet--loaded with lead, you know!!

ChrisJ said...

You're so right about Steve Martin. And interesting post.

I understand that cerulean is quite tasty!

Angelia Sims said...

Oh thank GOODNESS you ended with Steve Martin. YEAH!!! Love him and agree. Funniest man EVER. I must have watched "The Jerk" a million times.

King Tut has to be the most famous Egyptian. I always loved his story of all his treasures.

Bruce Coltin said...

Judie, I want you to promise me that you will quit -- cold turkey -- this very minute! Call an artist-friend who is in paint-eating recovery and ask her to sit with you until the craving leaves you forever. Please!

Judie said...

Bruce, if it is good enough for Van Gogh, it's good enough for me. Besides, I have probably already wrecked my health by firing raku pottery with only a bandana around my nose and mouth. That yellow smoke is toxic!!

Mary said...

Steve Martin is a comedic genuis! I hate that I've never seen this exhibit~

Unknown said...

I saw parts of this exhibit in Washington, D.C. when I was little. It was amazing.

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Love to read and learn fun facts from your posts! And love this song! haha

Blessings & Aloha!

nothingprofound said...

Poor King Tut! Why couldn't those nosy archeologists let the young man rest in peace? And Steve Martin is wonderful-I even like his more serious roles. Most comedians are also good dramatic actors.

Cher Duncombe said...

Judie, you really got me with Steve Martin! He has so much talent and provided so many laughs on SNL that he will be forever remembered, not just for his films, but for those short pieces on SNL. I sometimes long for those days.

Lola said...

Such a great *T* post!

Love yr movie choices over at my place too!

XOXO Lola & Nora:)

THE SNEE said...

Wow! Look at Egypt's history to the present day. I think I would've liked to have been an Egyptologist. It's a country that really lights up my imagination. So much royal intrigue, but with deserts, the Nile, pyramids and sphinxes. Now to go digging up the dirt on that thrown coveter, AY. And then maybe to netflix to watch a Steve Martin movie.

THE SNEE said...

Oops did I say thrown? The comments about the throne must have thrown me!

Teresa said...

You always choose the most interesting topics. Love this one.

JJ said...

I saw the Tut exhibit once at the World's Fair, but I'm not sure if this post is about art or college life in the '60s. Good luck to all the paint sniffers. Oh, and Steve is pretty funny too.

Jo said...

"tut's may come and tut's may go" judie you are just hilarious ... or have it told you that a hundred times over already!!! and steve martin ... he is like the tut of comedy!!!

Judie said...

JJ, I like to have a little something for everyone on my blog, paint sniffers (huffers) included. I don't really recommend sniffing paint because it can destroy brain cells, and I need every last one of mine!

Magyar said...

The first I remember of Steve Martin, was his long ago visit to the Johnny Carson show. He wore a beard, but the right half his face was shaven clean and he was playing a ukulele and all the while, crakin' one liners. I've easily laughed at him since, doesn't matter what he does! _m

Jackie said...

haha lol Steve Martin is The best Jerk too :) I've actually never seen Steve Martin as King Tut so forgive me if I'm out to lunch but thanks for the biography on the real King Tut (if there ever was ) Interesting. Oh and I like the song King Tut on your player :p

Anonymous said...

Oh Judie...
I didn't see
that one coming =)
but I loved it~
~victoria~

Judie said...

Yes, Jackie, there actually was a real King Tut--otherwise all those treasures found in his tomb would be fakes.

The song you hear is being sung by Steve Martin. You can find his "King Tut" on YouTube.

Sarah said...

I thought people have determined that he died from a wound on his calf, which developed into blood poisoning. I was surprised to see that they tended to marry inside of the family when I went to the museum!

GVK said...

Steeped in history, I was persuaded to read your post because of Egypt's topicality. Wasn't quite prepared for that smart twist at the tail end. Steve Martin is my favourite as well. Tut or no Tut.

Along These Lines ... said...

There was a young king called Tut,
Who died with embalming fluid up his ....

Oh, never mind.

But it would be remiss of me not to say Happy Presidents Pets Day - the day after Presidents Day, as I like to call it. In the US, we love our presidents..... pets. See my blog if you’re in the mood for a good ol' irreverent howl.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I do love me some Steve Martin "Tut"..

I have been watching the old Saturday Night Lives for a few weeks now and I am just getting to the point where Steve Martin joins the cast.

Absolutely hysterical even 30 years later...

Wanda Metcalf said...

Oh thank you for bringing Steve Martins King Tut Song and Dance back!! I love love love it!!!! The original SNL gang were the best. Ah the good ol' days

Sue McPeak said...

It's always interesting to get a different slant on an event in history like the 'Reign of King Tut'. It was an amazing exhibit...I saw it in Dallas! I haven't seen Steve Martin's take on Tut! I'll have to see about renting the movie...thanks for mentioning and playing the Tut Song...I have heard that! Great Letter T post!

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

Absolutely love your blog!! -especially with a visit from Steve Martin.

Please visit to see my art blog "T."

I am your new follower.
Barb

JJ said...

Yes, Judie. That's why I wish them good luck. They will need it!

Johnny Nutcase said...

good stuff! We went to a wedding recently at a museum where King Tut's death mask was and I put my sorbet on his head! (don't worry, it was enclosed in a glass case) :)

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

Hi Judie,

Thanks for visiting me, too.

Glad that I could remind you of an Atlanta spring, in winter!
Barb

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Totally agree with you, Judie. Steve Martin is the most darlingest Tut of all.

EG CameraGirl said...

I love Steve Martin too. :)

Thank you for all this great information! Imagine being married so young! Being a royal does NOT sound like fun to me. Too many jealous people interested in doing you in!

Theresa Plas said...

O gosh...I remember that King Tut dance so well...great post Judie!

Gattina said...

I have seen him it's just amazing !
Anyway Egyptian art is amazing !
I have been there already 10 times and I go back again this year in November. Love this country !

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

Greetings, Happy Firday! Blessings…

Friendship Awards, Enjoy!
Thanks for the support, You Rock!
xxx


amazing post...your words are inspirational.

Sunny Simple Life said...

I was luck to see the tour that came thru the US when I was in school. It was fascinating.

Life in Rehab said...

The whole time I was reading the post, Steve Martin's song was playing in my head- so I was pretty surprised by how you wrapped it up! Great piece, and some Tut facts I didn't know.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

An enjoying post! Every time I read about King Tut, it's still fascinating to know..

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I haven't heard that song in years. I burst out laughing. Great T since Egypt has been in the news so much lately.

paige said...

I love all things Egypt. I dont' love steve martin though. Great post!

Rek Sesh said...

Nice post, interesting read your take on history...and Steve martin..loved in the Father of the bride and Three Aamigos...

Short and Sweet said...

Thank you for the history lesson on King Tut, and thank you for stopping by my blog.

Ames said...

Great "T" post Judie. I took my daughter to the exhibit when it was in Jacksonville, Fl. She was in elementary school and I didn't want her riding the school because they hd no seat belts. We left before the bus and the bus got there before us. Freaky huh! I guess they were flying. That's I remember everytime I hear the name Tutankhamen.
I love Steve Martin too. He was good in "It's Complicated." Especially the scene where they got high. Too funny!~Ames