The History of Egypt Podcast

The most lavish tomb (before Tutankhamun). The family of Queen Tiy came from an interesting place, and led a fascinating life. Her mother and father - Tjuyu and Yuya - and her brother Anen enjoyed great privileges thanks to their family connections. In life, and in death, they left an enduring legacy... Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the sh...

Amunhotep III (Part 8): What Does The Scarab Say? From 1392 to 1390 BCE, Amunhotep III experienced an interesting few years. He hunted his 100th lion, and welcomed a new bride to his court. The princess Gilu-khepa came from Mitanni, for a diplomatic marriage to the king. Then, Amunhotep commissioned an artificial lake, built for the glory of his main wife, Tiye. Interesting times, all round... Web...

Amunhotep III (Part 7): Everything Bigger Than Everything Else. For 2000+ years, the Colossi of Memnon have dazzled visitors to Thebes. What are the statues doing there? In this episode, we explore the lost Mortuary Temple of Amunhotep III, in particular the immense statues which are his enduring legacy. From the work of Egyptian builders to the heroes of Greek myth, the Colossi of Memnon have a u...

Amunhotep III (Part 6): City of a Hundred Pylons. In 1397 BCE, King Amunhotep III began a massive series of building projects in Thebes. At Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the new "Maru" viewing place, the King inaugurated sanctuaries and gardens for the god Amun. We explore these monuments, and how they created a reputation that still resonated in the sagas of Greek myth... Website: www.egyptianhistory...

Amunhotep III (Part 5): Exploring the Southlands. In late 1397 BCE, King Amunhotep III took a band of warriors deep into Nubia (Sudan). They traversed deserts, explored hidden pools, and came to mysterious lands. It was a trip into strange new places... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. ...

Amunhotep III (Part 4): Pharaoh's First War. At the start of regnal year 5 (around August 1397 BCE), Amunhotep III led his first and only military campaign. Responding to a revolt in Nubia, the King gathered an army and began an expedition. We follow the king on campaign, and explore a slightly unusual situation... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.c...

Amunhotep III (Part 3): Introducing Queen Tiye. In 1399 BCE, the pharaoh Amunhotep III married his first and most important wife: Tiye, Royal Wife, Great of Praises, Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt. Just twelve years old, the young queen would go on to be the most powerful woman in the world... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Ma...

Amunhotep III (Part 2): A Busy Start. From May 1400 to April 1399, King Amunhotep finished his first year (just 4 months long) and began his second. In this 12-month period, he began a flurry of new projects. From donations to Thoth, to a mighty hunt, the King set himself as a vigorous and dynamic youth. His mother, Mutemwia, helped drive much of this... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Su...

The Birth of a God. Amunhotep III (Neb-maat-Re) came to power in mid-1400 BCE. He was twelve-years old, but already he had spent years being groomed for power. Today we explore the birthing myth and the childhood of one of the greatest pharaohs in history. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payment...

Nebi and the Guardians of the Sinai. Around 1414 BCE, a man and his comrades were marching into the unrelenting heat of the Sinai Peninsula. We follow Nebi of Tjaru and his men, as they undertake the grueling work of protecting Egypt's frontiers... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music...

Ladies of the Lake. Before she became queen of Egypt, the lady Tia'a spent her days at the royal harem of the Faiyum. This was a mysterious institution, devoted to serving queens, concubines and all the children of a pharaoh. We explore the Queen's background, the harem as an institution and the people who led the Faiyum's communities... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show vi...

Thutmose IV (Part 2): The Entire Reign at Once. For ten years, maybe more, Thutmose IV ruled Egypt. It was a successful reign and the treasures that emerge from this period are testament to a prosperous realm. The royal court is more visible than ever, with intriguing tales to tell... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-tim...

Thutmose IV (Part 1): Old Enemies Become New Friends. 1418 - 1416 BCE. The new pharaoh spends his first two years involved in political reprisals and military actions. He removes rivals, but also makes friends with some longstanding enemies... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by K...

A Clash of Princes. In 1418 BCE, Egypt momentarily lacks a pharaoh. Two sons of the crown go head to head, in a duel to be the next ruler. Who wins? Only the Sphinx knows... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. Select Bibliography: Bryan, B. M. (1991...

Around 1440 BCE, Egyptians were carving the burial monument of Amunhotep II in the Valley of the Kings. In 1898 CE, a group of excavators were uncovering the edifice once more. In a dual narrative, we explore the design, construction and discovery of a most remarkable tomb... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donatio...

Amunhotep II (Part 6): Finding an Heir. Around 1420 BCE, Amunhotep II comes to the end of his days. We explore his family life, what we know about the man himself, and try to get a handle on his legacy... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. Select...

Amunhotep II (Part 5): How to Make Friends and Rule the Nile Valley. The pharaoh Amunhotep II has a reputation for cronyism: he put his childhood friends into positions of power, and removed trusted officials from office at a whim. Does he deserve this reputation? We go in search of an answer, exploring the lives of some noteworthy men who rose to prominence in this time... See photos of the tomb...

Interlude: A Royal Journey Through the Underworld. Rulers of the 18th Dynasty decorated their tombs with lavish images of the underworld, which we know as the Duat. These scenes, and texts, reveal a complex story of Re's journey beneath the western horizon, through the nether, and ultimately into a cosmic re-birth. Along the way he crossed waters and deserts, faced demons and monsters, and even me...

The Book of the Dead might be the most famous piece of writing from ancient Egypt. It is also one of the most misunderstood... This episode is as an introduction to the Book of the Dead. As we move forward through the centuries, we will revisit the text to see new developments and additions. NOTE: When searching for the "Book of the Dead" you may often come across the version by E. Wallis Budge. T...

Amunhotep II (Part 4): Servant of Great Gods. Before he became king, Amunhotep II made a promise to embellish and restore monuments on the Giza Plateau. Once Pharaoh, he fulfilled his promise beautifully. As he did so, he introduced a new chapter in Egypt's religious history... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donat...

Amunhotep II (Part 3): Slavery and the Bible. In 1435 BCE, King Amunhotep II led a devastating war in Syria. He took thousands of captives and transported them to Egypt by force. Once there, they became captive workers of the Egyptian elite. Was this the historical inspiration for the Biblical "Captivity"? We go in search of answers... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via...

Amunhotep II (Part 2): The Pharaoh's Aide. In 1440 BCE, a servant of Pharaoh inscribed his tomb with a remarkable text detailing every aspect of his job. What was life like, for one of Egypt's most important officials? Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Select Bibliography: G.P.F. van den...

Amunhotep II (Part 1): The Sportsman King. From 1459 to 1440 BCE, the prince Amunhotep II enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Once he ascended to power, he displayed his prowess to all and sundry. From the battlefield to the sports field, Amunhotep set out to make his name... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation v...

Thutmose III (Part 10): The End of a Mighty Reign. From 1450 to 1441, Thutmose lived out the last nine years of his reign. He commanded one last expedition; oversaw building projects, and brought his tomb to completion. Finally, he had to prepare for the succession, and his own inevitable death... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. M...

Thutmose III (Part 9): Home and Propaganda. From 1455-1450 BCE, Thutmose spent much of his time involved in domestic affairs. Unfortunately, this involved some very harsh policies towards his immediate predecessor... Update (2023): Thutmose III probably reburied some of his immediate successors. In 2023, archaeologists may have found a tomb associated with one of these rulers. More information in...