The History of Egypt Podcast

Recorded 2024. The daughters of Akhenaten and Nefertiti were not just "ornaments" for their parents. Like many princesses, they also participated in the religious rituals and royal pageantry of the Egyptian government. In this interview, Courtney Marx (MA, George Mason University) joins us on behalf of the American Research Center in Egypt, to discuss the Amarna princesses and their role as priest...

In the city of Akhet-Aten (Amarna) a small tomb hides a noteworthy story. Here, we find the life and work of a police officer. Mahu, Chief of the Medjay in Akhet-Aten, managed the guards who patrolled the Horizon of Aten. Mahu, and his troops, were responsible for guarding the outposts and apprehending fugitives. Possibly, they were also involved in criminal punishments. Some of those practices we...

Fatma Keshk is an Egyptologist, archaeologist and researcher in Egyptian heritage. She leads the outreach project "The Place and the People," working to strengthen ties between archaeologists and local Egyptian communities. It is my pleasure to welcome Fatma to the History of Egypt Podcast; I hope you enjoy the conversation. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www...

Aaron de Souza is an archaeologist specializing in the material culture of Egypt and Nubia. He earned his PhD at Macquarie University, Sydney, in 2016, and is now a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in Vienna. In the field, Aaron works with ceramics and material culture, particularly in cemetery contexts. He has published several articles and a book, titled New Hor...

Heba Abd el Gawad is an exhibition curator, public outreach specialist and researcher in Egyptian heritage within museum contexts. She is the postdoctoral researcher for the project ‘Egypt’s Dispersed Heritage: Views from Egypt’ at the Institute of Archaeology, University College of London, in addition to many other important works. Heba joins the History of Egypt Podcast to discuss public outreac...

An unofficial history, just for fun. In distant ages, and forgotten realms, a mighty civilization once flourished on the banks of a great river. The people of Nehekhara and their great kings are now a memory… but they are not dead. Not quite. Today, we dive into the lore of a fantasy civilization, inspired by ancient Egypt… Date c.2,500 Before the Imperial Calendar (I.C.). Includes non-canonical m...

Legacy and Summary. Today, we look back at Akhenaten's reign, and I ramble for a while about his importance in history, both ancient and modern... Date c. 1346 BCE and 20th Century CE, 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. Music by Ancient Lyric www.b...

Side-episode. Today we discuss some "extra" items from Akhenaten's tomb. Also, we return to KV55, that elusive monument in the Valley of the Kings, to see some reasons why it *might* be Akhenaten. Date c.1346 BCE 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 M...

A controversy comes to its end. King Akhenaten died in his 17th year on the throne. Surprisingly, we know a lot about his passing and his burial. From the date of his death, to his sarcophagus, shabti figurines and his innovative tomb, we can get a sense of how this controversial ruler finally met his end... Date c.1346 BC. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www....

Erasing a God. Sometime in his reign, Akhenaten initiated a project that has made him infamous. The King’s agents, sculptors and masons travelled throughout the country, visiting major temples and shrines. Their job? Hack away the name and figure of Amun, King of the Gods, wherever they found it. This project is the most controversial of Akhenaten’s reign. Today, we dig into what happened, and why...

Interview. Chris Naunton is the former head of the Egypt Exploration Society and the elected President International Association of Egyptologists (2016-2019). With decades of experience, he is an enthusiastic and engaging scholar, with a particular talent for outreach and communication. Dr. Naunton sat down to discuss the city of Amarna, its exploration, and the evidence that helps us connect with...

How it was made, how it was discovered, and how it wound up in a museum far from its home. Date c.1347 BCE and 1912 CE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Follow the show on social media www.facebook.com/egyptpodcast and www.twitter.com/egyptianpodcast. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza...

The Queen becomes King. Throughout Akhenaten’s reign, the Great King’s Wife Neferet-Iti (Nefertiti) grew more and more prominent. By regnal year 16 (1437 BCE), she seemed to be an equal to her husband. Eventually, the Queen may have transitioned to a new role, and become a co-regent alongside Akhenaten. In this episode, we explore the evidence for Nefertiti as a King… Chapter two begins at 22:38 D...

A Short-Lived Ruler. In 1349 BCE, Egypt had two kings. But not for long. The young ruler, Smenkhkare, was destined to die early. In this episode, we explore the strange case of Akhenaten's co-king... Date c.1349 BCE Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Social media www.facebook.com/egyptpod...

Child labour, plague, and dark deeds at Amarna. By regnal year 14 (c.1349 BCE) Akhenaten's capital city had grown to almost thirty thousand people. This massive growth carried a price, one that archaeologists are finding in the city's vast cemeteries... Date c.1349 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via...

Royal Tombs, Amarna, Egyptology. Prof. Aidan Dodson has been in the game many years, and has published widely on a variety of topics. From his best-selling Amarna Sunset, Amarna Sunrise and The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt, Prof. Dodson is familiar to many who are interested in ancient Egypt. In this interview, he sat down to discuss the Amarna Period, royal tombs, and the science of history in Eg...

The Mysterious Mummy. In this episode, we visit the historical crime scene known as Valley of the Kings tomb number 55. KV55 is easily the most analysed, debated, and confounding find in all of Egyptology... Date: c.1350 BCE and 1907 CE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Z...

Two Funerals and a Wedding, Part 2. In 1350 BCE the royal house of Egypt was in crisis. The princess Meket-Aten, just eight years old, was the second prominent person to die in a short span of time. Soon after, Akhenaten seems to have appointed a new co-ruler. His name was Smenkh-ka-Re. Date c.1350 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodc...

Two Funerals and a Wedding, Part 1. Around year 12 of Akhenaten, the Queen Mother Tiye died. She journeyed to the West at the age of 60, having been a powerful influence for more than fifty years. Tiye is a monumental figure, literally, in the history of ancient Egypt. In this episode, we do her honour, and explore her legacy following her death. Date c.1351 BCE Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast...

A Princess of Egypt. By 1351 BCE, princess Meritaten was approximately ten years old. The pharaoh's eldest daughter was front and centre of propaganda. But what was her life like? Today, we explore the life of an Egyptian princess... Date c. 1451 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Mu...

Diplomacy, Betrayal, Murder. Around 1350 BCE, the sons of Abdi-Ashirta inherited his power and began to pursue further conquests. Along the way, they committed several heinous crimes... Date c.1355-1350 BCE. 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. Music...

Abdi-Ashirta and the Rise of Amurru. In the later years of Amunhotep III (father of Akhenaten) and the early years of Akhenaten himself, events in the north began to trouble the royal court. The Egyptian empire, long established in Canaan and Syria, was under threat. Great powers were rising, and regional vassals were starting to fight amongst themselves. Into this milieu, a man named Abdi-Ashirta...

A Man Living Alone. In the midst of Akhenaten's whirlwind reforms, and his radical decisions, it's easy to forget the impact this probably had on ordinary people. How did the folks who followed Akhenaten adjust to life in a completely new city? A few letters and texts, excavated in the old capital, give us a glimpse... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patre...

Part 1: Egypt, Canaan, Babylon, Assyria. In the 14th Century BCE, travellers criss-crossed the world. Many came to Egypt for diplomacy, trade, and to live. In this episode, we explore three short stories relating to Egypt and its neighbours... Part 2: Mediterranean, Aegean, Pirates. In the 14th Century BCE, records from Egypt hint at piracy and raiding across the sea. And artistic images even show...

Akhenaten (Part 11). By 1351 BCE, Akhenaten had achieved many of his early goals. His city, Akhet-Aten, was established, his religious ideas were reaching maturity, and the King could begin to express his vision of Aten in a new way. Finally, pharaoh could celebrate his mastery over foreign populations. Thus, in 1351 BCE, Egypt played host to a grand celebration of tribute… Website: www.egyptianhi...