The most well known or at least the most publicized ancient pharaohs of Egypt, King Tut, ruled and died early. The demise of the young pharoah has always been a mystery and much speculation has centered around his cause of death from murder to accidents. But a recent theory based on medical evidence suggests that he died from a genetic condition of temporal lobe epilepsy. Based on art and figurines of how he was depicted, King Tut is consistently shown with highly feminine features, including enlarged breasts. His enlarged breasts indicates that he suffered from gynecomastia. What is the connection between the temporal lobe of the brain and gynecomastia and other feminized features? The temporal lobe is connected to parts of the brain that are involved in the release of hormones. Epileptic seizures are known to alter the level of hormones involved in sexual development. This might well explain the development of the pharoah’s large breasts. Scans of his body showed that he died from a fracture of his leg at the time of death. People with epilepsy have a much higher incidence of dying from accidents and falls and are more likely to die young. The art of the time also depicted him with a walking stick, also suggestive of leg injuries or impairment. Further clues is that King Tut’s predecessors and relatives also had early deaths as well as similar body features, including gynecomastia.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana