section_path: Reign/Religiopolitical countermand/During-life deification
section_name: During-life deification
paragraph_text: During-life deification
  
  In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were venerated after their deaths through mortuary cults and associated temples as deities. This form of apotheosis was typically reserved for deceased pharaohs, but Tutankhamun was one of the few pharaohs who was worshiped in this manner during his lifetime. Temples of his cult were built as far away as in Kawa and Faras in Nubia. The title of the sister of the Viceroy of Kush included a reference to the deified king, indicative of the universality of his cult.
  
  The Stela of Huy from Karnak Temple is also evidential of the lifetime deification of pharaoh Tutankhamun. It contains a hymn directed to the deified form of Tutankhamun. Below is an English translation
  
  Give praises the ka of Amun, lord of Karnak homage to Amun, by whom swear the Two Lands and... to the royal ka of Tutankhamun: that they may give a happy lifetime and a body, joyful, every day, to the ka of the royal son of Kush, the overseer of the countries of the south, Huy
  
  The hymn clearly regards Tutankhamun with equivalent divinity as the god Amun.