"The Boy King" Tutankhamun may have suffered from disabilities - but also worshiped because of them, according to a new documentary called "Tutankhamun: Waking The Dead" with historian Bettany Hughes.
The historian noted that the young monarch could have inherited serious health issues due to inbreeding in the royal family. However, even his disabilities were considered a blessing from the gods, the programme suggested.
"The Ancient Egyptians were very enlightened, for them disability was a divine attribute. So, Tutankhamun would not have been stigmatised if he did have a club foot, he would have actually been seen as special", Egyptologist Dr Sofia Aziz, said in the documentary.
She noted that some ancient texts, specifically written for children, teach them not to make fun of dwarfs, blind people, and other individuals with disabilities.
Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was the last representative of the 18th Dynasty, which ruled Egypt from around 1550 BC to 1292 BC. He is believed to be a son or close relative of Amenhotep IV, also known as Echnaton.
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