Scientists have once again brought to light the wealthiest individual in human history, based on the data they have gathered. If you belong to Generation Z and think the richest person to have ever lived is Elon Musk, you are greatly mistaken. There have been fortunes in history so vast that no one has come close to them for thousands of years.
The wealthiest known person in human history was the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III. If this name doesn’t ring a bell, think of him as the grandfather of the more famous pharaoh Tutankhamun. Amenhotep ruled Ancient Egypt at the height of its power 3,400 years ago and was worshipped as a living god. Now, thanks to the work of scientists, the true face of Amenhotep III has been revealed.
An archaeologist described this pharaoh as “one of the richest men to have ever lived.” Amenhotep III ushered in an era of unprecedented prosperity and international power for Egypt. To grasp the scale of his wealth, imagine an emperor who could afford to employ hundreds of thousands of workers for years to construct one of the world’s largest pyramids, transporting massive stone blocks across the desert, all while only spending a fraction of his fortune.
Of course, these pharaohs were also notorious for their unmatched cruelty, executions, tortures, and the oppression they inflicted on their people, making them the colossal figures of terror in ancient times, ruling with a level of power that remains difficult to reach even today. Amenhotep is regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs, and more statues of him have survived than those of any other pharaoh, yet his face had never been scientifically reconstructed—until now.
A multinational team has now used data obtained from his mummy’s skull to reveal his true likeness for the first time in nearly 3,400 years.
Despite being one of Egypt’s greatest kings, Amenhotep III’s preserved mummy shows he was about 156 cm (5’1″) tall, making him one of the smallest kings we know of from preserved remains. This small stature is not reflected in the art of the time; he is famous for his colossal statues.
Brazilian graphics expert Cicero Moraes, who brought Amenhotep’s face to life, explained that the reconstruction began with digitally recreating the pharaoh’s skull using images and data obtained from his mummy. Further data was then used to determine the probable sizes and positions of his nose, ears, eyes, and lips.
Despite the passage of millennia, the legacy of Amenhotep III’s wealth and influence endures, offering a glimpse into a time when the rulers of Egypt wielded immense power and riches.
Would you have guessed that such a colossal figure in terms of wealth existed so many centuries ago? Share your thoughts and comments below!
