The History of Egypt Podcast

Part 1. In the ancient city and necropolis of Abydos (Egyptian Abdju), pharaoh Sety I commissioned a magnificent temple. Today, this monument is one of the finest in the country, a highlight of any trip. Sety’s work is complicated, with several components and structures worthy of discussion. So, this is part one of a multi-part tour through the complex. Today, we cover: The history of Abydos pre-S...

Ramesses II: Prince of Egypt. When Sety I took power, his eldest son was probably 10—15 years old. The King's Son Ra-messes (“Born of Ra”) enjoyed a privileged upbringing. And by the time he was physically mature, the young prince was ready to expand the royal household. His father Sety had some plans in that regard… Details and sources: Date: c. 1299 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com....

Karnak, Abydos, foreign wars, and prince Ramesses. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand joins us once again to explore the life, reign, and legacy of Sety I. We also explore the rise of prince Ramesses (later King Ramesses II), who becomes increasingly prominent in the later years of his father's rule. Links and more info: Peter Brand at Memphis University. National Geographic documentary "Egypt:...

Sety I (Part 6b): Standards and Practices. The early 19th Dynasty army was a well-organised machine, with distinct units (the zA ‘company’) and officers (e.g., chai sereet, ‘Standard Bearers’). Papyrus archives record the daily business of military life, like the Standard Bearer Mai-Sety / Mai-Sutekhy, the company scribe User-Hat, and the royal administrators that monitored food deliveries, ration...

Sety I (Part 6): Mesha, Menfat, Pedjet, Pecherer. By 1300 BCE, Egyptians had developed a sophisticated, well-organised military system. Distinct branches and types of troops (infantry, archers, auxiliaries, and more) marched and fought in identifiable units. Their weapons survive in the archaeological record, and ancient texts and art reveal their equipment, behaviour, and battlefield roles. Today...

Sety I (Part 5): Empires clash. Around 1300 BCE (approximately), Sety I records a battle against the Hittites. In the course of his northern wars, perhaps following the reconquest of Kadesh and Amurru, Sety faced off with his distant rival. The Kingdom of Hatti, land of the Hittites, sent forces to challenge the Egyptian resurgence… Details and sources: Date: c. 1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhist...

Amurru (Part 4): Reconquista. The land of Amurru, and its leaders, have been a noteworthy part of the story in recent decades. Since the reigns of Amunhotep III and Akhenaten, the lords of Amurru have caused great trouble in Egypt’s northern empire. They have raided, plundered, and even murdered their way to regional prominence. Now, a couple decades after their betrayals, King Sety I is bringing...

Sety I (Part 4): Catching Up with the Kadeshians. Around 1300 BCE (chronology uncertain), Sety led another campaign into the north. This time, the pharaoh of Egypt marched into Canaan, Lebanon, and Syria. In the process, he visited local chieftains, went “shopping” for luxury items, and then launched a daring attack on Kadesh… Details and sources: Date: c. 1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypod...

Sety I (Part 3): The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak. In 1302 BCE (approximately) the pharaoh of Egypt Men-Ma’at-Ra Sety I commissioned a remarkable monument. A hall of columns, near the entrance of Karnak sanctuary, would be a gathering place for the gods and the faithful. This hall, called “Sety is Effective in the House of Amun,” is now one of Egypt’s most famous (and most photographed) monument...

Sety I (Part 2): The First Campaign of Victory. In 1302 BCE, the pharaoh Men-Ma'at-Ra Sety I led a military expedition to the east. He attacked the Bedouin ("Shasu") in Sinai. Then, he turned his sights on Canaan. The new King was an active warlord, aggressive and eager to fight. Thanks to records at Karnak and elsewhere, we can trace his assault... Date: c. 1302 BCE (March - June). Website: www.e...

Sety I (Part 1): A Repeat Appearance. In 1303 BCE, the old king Ramesses is dead after a brief reign. But now, for the first time in decades, a royal son is taking power. King Sety (Men-ma'at-Ra) ascends, aged approximately thirty years old. The new ruler's reign will be noteworthy for its splendid monuments and its abundant records. In fact, as his reign begins, we can even trace his movements on...

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...