Jeffrey D. McKelvin

Divine Mortals

History EN ↓ 3 episodes

Divine Mortals is a bi-weekly podcast that explores the lives and times of historical rulers who were revered as gods by their subjects. We will discover what they were like as people, how they came to power, and what it was like to serve them through the eyes of their closest relationships. If you love history, mystery, and royal intrigue, this podcast is for you.

Author

Jeffrey D. McKelvin

Episodes

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Divinity 03.08.2025 38:53

Was he a king, a god, or both? In this episode of [Your Podcast Name] , we journey into the lush jungles of ancient Mesoamerica to uncover the life and legend of Kʼinich Janaab Pakal , the Maya king who rose to power at just 12 years old and ruled for nearly 70 years. Crowned amid cosmic alignments and clad in jade, Pakal wasn't just a ruler—he was a living god to his people. What made Pakal divin...

The God-King and the Architect of Her Divinity 26.06.2025 46:10

In this episode of Divine Mortals , we journey into the story of Hatshepsut , Egypt’s first great female pharaoh. Born into royalty but denied the throne by tradition, she rose above the expectations of her detractors, donning the regalia of kingship and declaring herself the living embodiment of the god Amun . But behind the gold-tipped obelisks and divine declarations was a deeply human story —...

The Eternal President and the Forgotten First Lady 12.06.2025 45:48

In this debut episode of Divine Mortals , we travel behind the iron curtain of North Korea to explore the life and rise of Kim Il Sung—not through the lens of his propaganda machine, but through the people closest to him. From guerrilla warfare in the snowy hills of Manchuria to the marble corridors of Pyongyang’s palaces, we follow his evolution from rebel commander to “Eternal President.” But wh...