The History of Egypt

Don’t swim for at least 30 minutes after a banquet… Around 2150 BCE, so the story goes, the Queen-King Nitocris sought vengeance on those who had wronged her. This tale comes from Herodotos, and in 1928 a young Tennessee Williams published his own version of the gothic stroy. In this bonus episode, I read Williams’ work for a bit of spooky storytelling… Herodotos, Histories, Book II, via Perseus. Tennessee Williams ‘The Vengeance of Nitocris’ at Wikipedia and Wikisource. The Vengeance of Nitocris by Rejected Princesses. Music by Kevin Manthei, from Vampire: The Masquerade: Redemption (2000). I played this a lot as a child, and it seemed to fit the tone. Outro music, “Killer Queen – Medieval Rock Cover” by Medieval Rock. Less tonally consistent, but when the Queen gives an order... Logo image: "The Vengeance of Nitocris," from Weird Tales magazine. The 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. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Updated with new research. Between 2500—2200 BCE, Egypt witnessed a period of surprisingly high rainfall. While the Old Kingdom was much wetter than today, archaeologists have found strong evidence for huge downpours, sweeping across northern Egypt and flooding tombs, cities, and forcing the ancients to adapt… This episode is a brief epilogue to the Decline & Fall of the Old Kingdom series. Intro music: Michael Jackson – Stranger in Moscow (Instrumental Version). Outro music: Toto – Africa (Bardcore) by Stravitticus. Logo image: Rain spout/gutter at the pyramid complex of Niuserrra (c.2400 BCE). Photo by Kairoinfo4u. References used in this episode: K. W. Butzer, ‘When the Desert Was in Flood: Environmental History of the Giza Plateau’, AERAgram 5 (2001), 3—5. K. W. Butzer et al., ‘Urban Geoarchaeology and Environmental History at the Lost City of the Pyramids, Giza: Synthesis and Review’, Journal of Archaeological Science 40 (2013), 3340—3366. K. O. Kuraszkiewicz, ‘Architectural Innovations Influenced by Climatic Phenomena (4.2 KA Event) in the Late Old Kingdom (Saqqara, Egypt)’, Studia Quaternaria 33 (2016), 27—34. S. Rzepka et al., ‘Preliminary Report on Engineering Properties and Environmental Resistance of Ancient Mud Bricks from Tell el-Retaba Archaeological Site in the Nile Delta’, Studia Quaternaria 33 (2016), 47—56. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did it all go so wrong? We’ve explored the historical overview of Old Kingdom decline; but what was driving it? There are three major factors that caused this fall. Two originate in the climate, the third comes from the political structure of the kingdom and its society. From the deserts of Sahara to the depths of the Nile, we uncover the causes of decline…Note: An extended version of this episode is available at Patreon.com/egyptpodcast.The 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. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Logo image: The “Starving Bedouin” from the Pyramid of Unas. Photo by Sarah Murray. Select Bibliography: M. Bárta, Analyzing Collapse: The Rise and Fall of the Old Kingdom (2019). B. Bell, ‘The Oldest Records of the Nile Floods’, The Geographical Journal 136 (1970), 569—573. K. W. Butzer, ‘When the Desert Was in Flood: Environmental History of the Giza Plateau’, AERAgram 5 (2001), 3—5. K. W. Butzer, ‘Landscapes and Environmental History of the Nile Valley: A Critical Review and Prospectus’, in E. Bloxam and I. Shaw (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Egyptology (Oxford, 2020), 99—124. N. Kanawati and J. Swinton, Egypt in the Sixth Dynasty: Challenges and Responses (2018). K. O. Kuraszkiewicz, ‘Architectural Innovations Influenced by Climatic Phenomena (4.2 KA Event) in the Late Old Kingdom (Saqqara, Egypt)’, Studia Quaternaria 33 (2016), 27—34. M. van de Mieroop, A History of Ancient Egypt (2nd edn, 2021). N. Moeller, ‘The First Intermediate Period: A Time of Famine and Climate Change?’, Egypt and the Levant 15 (2005), 153—167. J. C. Moreno García, ‘Climatic Change or Sociopolitical Transformation? Reassessing Late 3rd Millennium BC in Egypt’, in J. C. Moreno García et al. (eds), 2200 BC - A Climatic Breakdown as a Cause for the Collapse of the Old World? 2 vols (2015), 79—94. S. Rzepka et al., ‘Preliminary Report on Engineering Properties and Environmental Resistance of Ancient Mud Bricks from Tell el-Retaba Archaeological Site in the Nile Delta’, Studia Quaternaria 33 (2016), 47—56. J.-D. Stanley et al., ‘Nile Flow Failure at the End of the Old Kingdom, Egypt: Strontium Isotopic and Petrologic Evidence’, Geoarchaeology 18 (2003), 395—402. P. Tallet and M. Lehner, The Red Sea Scrolls: How Ancient Papyri Reveal the Secrets of the Pyramids (2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Delve into the extended reign of Pepi II, one of Egypt's significant kings, whose achievements defined an era. Discover the chaotic aftermath of his rule, unraveling the turbulent 7th and 8th dynasties alongside elusive figures like Nitocris. Explore the brief yet intriguing reign of Kakara Ibi, questioning his unique architectural choices. Unearth the historical significance of Wadi Hamamat and its inscriptions, shedding light on King Imhotep’s military expeditions. Finally, witness the complexities of societal dynamics during the late Old Kingdom's decline.

A Long, Long Reign. King Pepy ruled more than sixty years, by some estimates. In his later years, this long reign was becoming an issue. The aging monarch was losing influence, and his children were dying before he did... Date c. 2240 - 2220 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. Select Bibliography: Toby H. Wilkinson, The Egyptian World, 2007. Fekri A. Hassan, “Droughts, Famine and the Collapse of the Old Kingdom: Re-reading Ipuwer,” in The Archaeology of Ancient Egypt – Essays in Honor of David B. O’Connor, 2007. Juan Carlos Moreno García (editor), Ancient Egyptian Administration, 2013 (Sample Article). The University of Chicago – Tell Edfu Project. Saqqara.nl – The Pyramid of Pepy II. Swiss Archaeological Mission, Sudan – Kerma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruling the World. King Pepy ruled long and his authority reached far and wide. To understand Egyptian society in this period, we must meet the important families (nobility) who served Pepy, and see how their actions shape our understanding of history... Date c.2260 - 2240 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. Logo image: Miniature Brewing Vat, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/543893. Select Bibliography: Deborah Vischak, Community and Identity in Ancient Egypt: The Old Kingdom Cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa, 2014 (Google Books): 225-238. Ancient Egypt Online – Pepy II William Kelly Simpson (editor), The Literature of Ancient Egypt, 2003. Nicolas Grimal, A History of Egypt, 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Child King. Around 2285 BCE, a new ruler came to power. King Pepy II was a little boy, just six years old. His reign would be one of the longest, and most impactful, in the Old Kingdom... Date c.2285 - 2260 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. Select Bibliography: Ian Shaw (editor), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, 2004. William Kelly Simpson (editor), The Literature of Ancient Egypt, 2003. Nicolas Grimal, A History of Egypt, 1994. Ancient Egypt Online – Pepy II. National Geographic – Pyramid of Pepy II. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Martin Odler, an expert in ancient Egyptian technology, shares his research on metalworking, particularly copper tools used in the monumental construction of the Giza pyramids. He explains how copper was employed in weaponry and daily life, and highlights the significance of arsenical copper over traditional methods. Dr. Odler also delves into the portrayal of metalworking in ancient art, offering insights into the archaeological sites that reveal their historical context. His methodical approach brings the fascinating world of ancient Egypt's metallurgy to life!

The Great Explorer. Around 2300 BCE, King Pepy I died. His successor was a man named Mer-en-Re ("Beloved of Re"). In this period, the explorer Weni the Elder continued his travels, now going far south into Sudan on missions for the King... Date c.2300 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. Select Bibliography: Kelsey Museum Newsletter – Abydos and the Tomb of Weni the Elder. Renée Friedman, Egypt and Nubia: Gifts of the Desert, 2002. William Kelly Simpson (editor), The Literature of Ancient Egypt, 2003. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pepy and Weni the Elder (Part 1). Around 2355 BCE, King Pepy I came to power. The new king had trouble establishing his authority, and he had to deal with the effects of his predecessor Teti's murder. Along the way, Pepy even had to deal with a conspiracy against himself... Date c. 2550 - 2540 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. Select Bibliography: Naguib Kanawati, Conspiracies in the Egyptian Palace, 2011. Nigel Strudwick, Texts from the Pyramid Age, 2005 (Google Books). William Kelly Simpson (editor), The Literature of Ancient Egypt, 2003. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices