The History of Egypt Podcast

The new dynasty. When Paramessu became Ramesses I, his ascent marked a "break" in many ways. For historians studying this period, the evidence presents these pharaohs as a curious blend of traditional motifs and conscious reinvention. How did Ramesses, and his son Sety I, establish a new royal household; and guarantee their legitimacy, as newcomers to the throne? Dr. Peter Brand is Associate Profe...

Ramesses I and Pharaoh's Palace(s). Dr. Peter Lacovara is an experienced archaeologist, museum curator, and specialist in the palaces of Egyptian pharaohs. Since the 1980s Dr. Lacovara has been involved in many noteworthy projects. Most famously, he led the project to identify and repatriate the mummy of King Ramesses I. In this interview, we discuss the mummy and its return to Egypt, as well as t...

The Mummy Movie Podcast is dedicated to the many (many) films in which ancient Egyptian mummies play a role. From the 1932 classic, to the 1999 remake, and dozens more in between, mummies are a classic feature of horror, suspense, and adventure filmmaking. Egyptologist Peter Rose dives into these movies from the historical, production, and entertainment point of view, exploring every nook and cran...

Ramesses I (Part 2): Family, Regime, Remains. In 1304 BCE, Ramesses I rules Egypt. The new royal family is an interesting group, and we have a surprisingly detailed idea of Ramesses' son Suty (Sety). Then, we consider the legacy of Ramesses, which has some remarkably international elements... Details and sources: Date: c. 1304 - 1303 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show v...

Ramesses I (Part 1): Appearing in Splendour. In this episode, we repeat the career and rise of Paramessu (content recycled from episode #170). Then, we begin the reign of Ramesses I, who takes the throne around 1305 BCE. The new king is fully aware of his unusual succession and immediately works to establish his legitimacy... Details: Date: c.1305 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Supp...

Reflective and Prospective. In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the outgoing 18th Dynasty (and its last scion, Horemheb). Then, we consider some of the major themes that will appear in Dynasty 19, and the continuities between the two eras. Finally, we reflect on the 10th Anniversary of The History of Egypt Podcast! Date: c.1305 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the...

From hours 6-12, Ra continues his journey. The great serpent Apep returns, bringing an army of his followers. The sun god deals with those who have died in horrible ways. The journey reaches its climax, and the dawn approaches... Date: c. 1305 BCE (first appearance). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via Pay...

In the dark of the night, Ra took a journey through the Duat (underworld). His voyage was fraught with danger, but he also made many friends along the way. In the Book of Gates, the sun god takes a mysterious but meaningful journey... Details: Date: c.1305 BCE (first recorded appearance). Source: KV57, the tomb of Horemheb, and others. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via...

The Death and Legacy of Horemheb (c.1305 BCE). Horemheb's reign ended after some 27-years of rule, though this is debated fiercely among historians. His latter-day achievements include an unorthodox approach to building his Memorial Temple, as well as an innovative and spectacular royal tomb. Ultimately, the King reached the end of his reign, leaving a legacy that deserves greater attention... Dat...

To Vile Carchemish. In Year 16, King Horemheb may have led a "campaign of victory" to the far north. An artefact identified in the 1970s, but lost for decades, testifies to these events... but what do they mean? Episode details: Date: c.1316 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Music...

Horemheb's favourite god. Throughout his life, Horemheb commissioned monuments and artefacts that honoured Djehuty (Thoth). As a courtier, then a King, Horemheb showed a certain favour towards this god. Why did he like this god, in particular, and what do these artefacts tell us about Horemheb as a person? Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptp...

Horemheb's Great Decree. Sometime during his reign, King Horemheb proclaimed a new set of laws. Taking aim at corruption and abuses-of-power (allegedly happening throughout Egypt), the pharaoh went hard on corrective measures. Punishments could range from beatings to disfigurement, exile, and death. Horemheb was not messing around. But what was he really trying to achieve? Episode details, picture...

New Kingdom vs the World. This week we have an interview with Dr. Uroš Matić. Dr. Matić is a member of the Austrian Archaeological Institute, and takes a fascinating view of ancient society, including violence, gender, and the state. This episode was recorded in 2021. Dr. Uroš Matić online: Twitter, Academia.edu, and the Austrian Archaeological Institute. The Egyptian Empire in the 18th Dynasty: e...

The Mother is Sweet, Born of the Sun. In the second half of Horemheb’s reign, Egypt’s Queen died in childbirth. Subsequently, pharaoh chose one of his servants, Paramessu (Ramesses) as a successor. This choice arguably established the 19th royal Dynasty. Why did Horemheb do this?  Episode details: Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. M...

In the Valley of the Kings, Horemheb commissioned a magnificent tomb. Artistically innovative, it has one foot in the past and one in the future. This tomb introduced a new style of decoration, developed on recent trends, and reshaped the model of royal burials… Episode Details: Date: c. 1323 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. M...

Securing the halls. In the 8th year of Horemheb's reign, a royal official named Maya visited a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. He was there to inspect the burial of Thutmose IV, to ensure its security, and repair it if necessary… Episode details: Date: c.1324 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPa...

Back in the village. In regnal year 7, Horemheb's officials turn up in western Thebes (Waset). They began reorganising the village of the tomb-builders, Set-Ma'at "The Place of Truth." Doing so, the King's government created a lasting legacy in the town we call Deir el-Medina. Episode details: Date: c.1325 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/e...

On August 13th, 2022, The Guardian (UK) ran a headline "Howard Carter stole Tutankhamun’s treasure, new evidence suggests." What's going on, exactly? We dive into the new information and its context. Read the Guardian article here. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Learn more about your...

Horemheb vs Ay, Tutankhamun, and others. Everyone talks about Horemheb "erasing" Akhenaten. But the King demolished monuments of several rulers, and erased the names of others. What does it all mean? Episode details: Date: c. 1327 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro: Luke...

To build his magnificent pylons at Karnak, Horemheb dismantled other monuments. Within the masonry of these pylons, archaeologists found nearly fifty thousand blocks from temples of Akhenaten... Episode details: Date: c.1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Intro music: Keith Zizza...

Horemheb at Karnak (Part 2). There are secrets beneath the sand of Karnak. Horemheb's architects significantly changed the temple's landscape. In some cases, they even relocated older buildings, dismantling and moving them piece-by-piece... Episode details: Date: c. 1329 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donatio...

Horemheb at Karnak (Part 1). Before his ascent, Horemheb had managed building projects for Tutankhamun. Now, as pharaoh, Horemheb went all out. He invested in one of the largest building sprees Karnak would ever see. His monuments continue to define this temple... Episode details: Date: c.1329 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast....

Karnak had experienced a tumultuous time, in the three decades preceding Horemheb's reign... Dates: c.1362 - 1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music interludes: Keith Zizza, Ancient Lyric, and Hathor Systrum.   Select Bibliography: E. Blyth, Karnak: Evolution of a Temple (New Y...

Queen Mutnodjmet is a curious case. For some scholars, she may be the lost sister of Nefertiti. This hypothesis has kicked around for over 100 years. Why can’t we resolve it? Episode details: Date: c.1330 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music: "Hymn to Hathor," by Bettina Joy de G...

Revisionist history in the age of pharaohs. King Horemheb (“Horus in Celebration”) came to power in unusual circumstances. To justify his rule, the new pharaoh set about “retelling” his origins. In a lengthy story, Horemheb cast himself as one chosen by the gods, and destined to rule… Episode details: Date: c. 1330 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patr...