
The History of Egypt Podcast
Ancient Egypt, from Creation to Cleopatra. This podcast tells the story of pharaonic Egypt "in their own words." Using archaeology, ancient texts, and up-to-date scholarship, we uncover the world of the Nile Valley and its people. Hosted on the Airwave Media Network.
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2025 • 30min
211: Ramesses II The Blades of Frontiers
Ramesses II defends his borders. In the early years of his reign, Ramesses focussed on home defence. His army established new forts at remote locations along the western Delta and Mediterranean Coast (Marmarica). Traces of this work can be found at famous locations like el-Alamein, Mersa Matruh, and Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, the latter of which has been the object of detailed excavation in recent decades. Apparently, Ramesses was fortifying his frontiers, guarding the western approaches to Egypt.
Soon after, the pharaoh went forth on campaign. His target? The cities of Canaan and Amurru, in modern-day Lebanon. Along the way, he left inscriptions at Nahr el-Kalb, which started a surprisingly long-lived tradition...
Music: "War" by Ancient Lyric (commissioned by The History of Egypt Podcast).
Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
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Jun 3, 2025 • 53min
Feed Swap: The Ancient World - Ages
Fellow podcaster Scott Chesworth, from The Ancient World has a new season. I’m excited to introduce “The Ancient World – Ages”, a series covering the Early Bronze Age Collapse (c. 2200 BC) and the remaking of Southwest Eurasia.
In this feed swap, you’ll hear episode A3 – The Kings of Kish. It covers the period c.2900 BCE and 2350 BCE, also known as the Early Dynastic Period in Sumer. A time of kings, emerging from legends. Figures like Gilgamesh, burial sites like the Royal Cemetery of Ur, and the legendary conflict between the gods Lagash and Umma, recorded on the Stela of the Vultures. Along the way, Scott will introduce you to history’s earliest-known diplomacy, bilateral treaty, and legal codes. Finally, Scott will set the stage for the most famous conqueror of the day: Sargon of Akkad.
The Ancient World – Ages promises to by an exciting, big picture history of this ancient period. While the Egyptians were focused on pyramids, rulers in Mesopotamia were kicking Kish and taking names. Please, consider joining Scott on this epic journey.
Website: https://ancientworldpodcast.com/
Scott Chesworth's The Ancient World is available on Spotify, Apple, and all good podcasting apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2025 • 30min
210: Ramesses II The Eyes of Ra, The House of Life
Ramesses goes back to school. Luxor Temple is a magnificent monument, in a city full of them. The sanctuary you visit today is, in large part, the work of Ramesses' early reign. New pylons, colossal statues, obelisks, and dedicatory texts provide the testament to the young pharaoh's work. Exploring these, we also get a surprising insight into temple archives and educational facilities, embodied in the Per-Ankh / House of Life...
Outro music: Jeffrey Goodman, "Prophetic Harps of Amun-Ra," used with permission.
Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU.
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May 16, 2025 • 25min
209: Ramesses II vs the Sea Peoples
Delta raiders. Decades before their famous migrations, the "Sea Peoples" were already active and visible in the eastern Mediterranean; and Ramesses II had his own dealings with these groups. In year 2 of his reign, Ramesses II (Usir-Ma'at-Ra) dealt with a coastal raid by the Sherden, who came from the "islands in the midst" of the sea (which the Egyptians called the "Great Green"). The battle, and its aftermath, is referenced in several of Ramesses' inscriptions. We explore this curious first chapter in the Sea Peoples' story...
Music: Michael Levy "Odysseus and the Sirens” www.ancientlyre.com
Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
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May 9, 2025 • 1h 31min
Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: The New Kingdom Defined with Prof. Aidan Dodson
The new royal tomb, and how two 18th Dynasty rulers defined the "New Kingdom" as we know it. Prof. Aidan Dodson is a dedicated and prolific scholar, whose research covers many facets of ancient Egyptian history (and even WW1 warships!) His latest book, Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: Pharaohs of Egypt - Their Lives and Afterlives looks at how these two monarchs, and their followers, defined many of the aspects of "pharaonic culture" as we imagine it. Along the way, we also discuss the new royal tomb, its significance, and its connection to these famous figures.
Prof. Aidan Dodson at Academia.edu and the University of Bristol.
Book: Thutmose III and Hatshepsut, Pharaohs of Egypt at AUC Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2025 • 29min
208: Ramesses II The Oracle & The Sphinx
A death at Karnak, and a lion amongst men. In regnal year 1 (c.1292 BCE), Ramesses II was at Abdju / Abydos. While there, he appointed a new First Priest of Amun (Hem Netjer Tepy en Imen). He chose his candidate by consulting the deity directly, engaging in an oracle with Amun to choose the best option.
Shortly after, Ramesses departed Abdju and continued his northward journey. Eventually, he came to Giza, home of the Great Sphinx and the deity that inhabited it...
The History of Egypt Podcast:
Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
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Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.
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Apr 25, 2025 • 43min
207: Ramesses II Shadow of Two Fathers
Ramesses had a lot to plan for, in his first year of rule (c.1292 BCE). Staying in Waset / Luxor, the new pharaoh began building work on his tomb (KV7) and his memorial temple (The Ramesseum). Archaeological records testify to both of these projects. Then, the King immortalised his late father, the Osiris Sety I, in scenes of worship at Karnak. Finally, Ramesses left Waset, heading north; but he stopped at Abdju / Abydos on his way. There to commune with Osiris (Sety) once more, and to address some glaring issues...Chapters:00:00 Building KV7 and the Ramesseum04:55 Ramesses celebrates the Opet Festival12:15 Ramesses honours Sety at Karnak17:32 Ramesses at Abydos and the "Great Abydos Dedication" text39:18 Summary and Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 18, 2025 • 47min
206: Ramesses II Usir-Ma'at-Ra
In the annals of Egyptian history there is no one quite like Ramesses II. He is arguably the most famous, or infamous, of Egypt’s pharaohs. His reign would be long (67 years!) and his influence would be incalculable. In this episode, Ramesses "appears" as King, following the death of his father (III Shemu 27). He chooses his royal names (Usir-Ma'at-Ra, Ramesses Beloved of Amun). He buries Sety, in the Valley of the Kings. And he goes before the gods to receive blessings and power...Episode chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Ramesses II04:20 - Ramesses Accession Date & Royal Names12:56 - The Funeral of Sety I (Horus buries Osiris)20:50 - Ramesses goes before the gods43:22 - ConclusionFor the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, and Ramesses’ “coronation” scenes, see the following volumes:Nelson (1981). The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Volume 1, Part 1: The Wall Reliefs https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/great-hypostyle-hall-karnak-volume-1-part-1-wall-reliefsBrand et al. (2018). The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak Volume 1, Part 2: Translation and Commentary. https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/oip-142-great-hypostyle-hall-temple-amun-karnakThe History of Egypt Podcast:Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU.We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 2025 • 12min
Sety's Borrowed Coffin with Dr. Peter Lacovara
The coffin of Sety I (now in the NMEC) was probably reworked from an earlier piece, during the reburials in DB320 (the royal cache). But how can we tell? Dr. Peter Lacovara explains.Dr. Lacovara's website https://peterlacovara.com/Video version available at Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcastVideo version available on YouTube https://youtu.be/6e1fauj4qPA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 33min
205: Sety I and the Finest Royal Tomb
Sety’s royal burial. Valley of the Kings tomb 17 (KV17) came to light in October 1817. Discovered by a team of Egyptian workers, employed by Giovanni Belzoni, the tomb is the most beautiful, and one of the largest, in the entire Valley.==Learn more about KV17:3D Tour by Mused: https://mused.com/tours/926/tomb-of-seti-i-valley-of-the-kings/Theban Mapping Project https://thebanmappingproject.com/tombs/kv-17-sety-iPhotos: Kairoinfo4u via https://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157687439529835/KV17 at Wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:KV17==The History of Egypt Podcast:Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.comSupport the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcastMake a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXUWe have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices