History Extra podcast Drink, dance, death: wine in ancient Egypt
15 snips
Jun 1, 2025 
Join Islam Issa, a Professor of Literature and History at Birmingham City University, as he uncorks the fascinating role of wine in ancient Egypt. Discover how this beloved beverage was integral to merriment, rituals, and even mummification practices. Hear about the whimsical Festival of Drunkenness and the legendary goddess Sekhmet. Learn about the symbolic connections of wine to the afterlife and the intricate winemaking techniques that defined social dynamics. This journey through history reveals wine as a vital thread woven into the fabric of Egyptian culture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Wine's Early Ritual Role
- Wine was included in Egyptian tombs as early as the 4th millennium BC, alongside some of the earliest Egyptian writings.
- This suggests wine held an important ritual and political significance at Egypt's early unification.
Grapes Dominated Egyptian Wine
- Grapes were the primary fruit used for Egyptian wine, introduced from the Levant region around the late 4th millennium BC.
- Other fruits like figs, dates, and pomegranates were used but mainly for cheaper wines like date and palm wine.
Variety of Ancient Egyptian Wines
- Ancient Egyptians depicted and had various wine colors, predominantly red, but also blue, green, pink, and white.
- Inventories of offerings list different types, including 'marsh wine' and sweet wine from the Nile Delta, showing a diversity of wines.