Ay was the Vizier and royal chancellor of Akhenaten, and supported the Aten monotheism.
Later, during Tutankhamen reign Ay was also the Grand Vizier of the Pharaoh, how was only nine years, and Ay
was the real ruler behind the scenes. Under Tutankhamen Ay helped restore the Amun cult,
and abandoned the monotheism.
After Tutankhamen's death, Hittite archives state that Ankhesenamun wrote to Suppiliumas, the Hittite
Pharaoh,
requesting one of his sons to marry her. Suppiliumas granted this request, but his son
Zannanza was killed on his way to Egypt.
Ay apparently inherited the thrown by marrying Tutankhamen's widow, Ankhesenamun against her will, and outmaneuvered
the designated successor Horemheb.
He was an old man, at least 70 years old, when he succeeded the thrown, and only ruled four years, without any notable accomplishments
Ay planned for Nakhtmin to be his successor. However, Ay's plan went awry as Horemheb succeeded the throne and wrecked Ay's tomb.
Ay was amongst the Amarna Pharaohs whose memories were execrated under later rulers.
New Kingdom 