The History of Egypt Podcast

We leave the Duat and enter the horizon. On the walls of the antechamber, Unas’ Pyramid Texts describe the king’s entry to the sky. The ruler establishes and affirms his power. And, in a famous passage, Unas engages in some ritual cannibalism…Includes passages in English translation and ancient Egyptian. Date: c.2320 BCE. 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.  Pyramid Texts in translation: https://pyramidtextsonline.com/translation.html. Intro music by Jeffrey Goodman, “Lament of Isis and Nephthys,” Ancient Egyptian Music II. Interludes by Keith Zizza, Children of the Nile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the Pyramid Texts of King Unas and their protections against serpents. Learn about offerings to sustain the King's soul and nourish the gods. Delve into ancient Egyptian beliefs surrounding serpents and magical incantations for safeguarding the journey to the afterlife. Discover the intricate offering rituals and divine magic activation in the Pyramid Texts. Witness the invocation of deities like Horus, Seth, and Thoth for purification and renewal of King Unas, with offerings like cakes, bread, beer, and the eye of Horus. Experience the transition of duties to the gods in the East Gable texts and the divine blessings bestowed upon Unas as he embarks on his celestial journey.

Explore the ancient significance of Pyramid Texts in King Unas' tomb, his transition to a divine entity, the journey to imperishable stars, and the intricate relationships among Egyptian gods. Dive into rituals, transformation into a divine being, and the symbolic representation of body parts for immortality in this intriguing episode.

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 priestesses. We also explore the history of royal women as priestesses and the unique roles they played in the temple rituals. Finally, we explore the aftermath of Amarna: how the visible roles, titles, and imagery of princesses changed following the death of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.The American Research Center in Egypt is celebrating 75 years of work in the Nile Valley. Dedicated to scholarship of the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds, the ARCE supports researchers and students, funds archaeological and scholarly work, and organises many public outreach programs. Learn more about ARCE at their website and follow the ARCE Podcast online and on all podcasting apps. 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.  Logo image: Block fragment showing two Amarna princesses (Metropolitan Museum of Art 1985.328.6). Photo by Courtney Marx. Select Bibliography (provided by Courtney Marx): Ayad, Mariam F. “The God's Wife of Amun: origins and rise to power.” In Carney, Elizabeth D. and Sabine Müller (eds), The Routledge companion to women and monarchy in the ancient Mediterranean world, 47-60. New York: Routledge, 2021. Ayad, Mariam F. God's Wife, God's Servant: The God's Wife of Amun (ca.740–525 BC). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2009. Bryan, Betsy M. “Property and the God’s Wives of Amun.” In D. Lyons and R. Westbrook, eds. Women and Property in Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Societies. Washington, DC: Center For Hellenic Studies, Harvard University, 2005. Pawlicki, Franciszek. Princess Neferure in the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari: Failed Heiress to the Pharaoh’s Throne? Études et Travaux 21, 109-127. 2007. Xekalaki, Georgia. Symbolism in the Representation of Royal Children During the New Kingdom. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2011. Troy, Lana. “Patterns of Queenship in Ancient Egyptian Myth and History.” PhD diss., Uppsala University, 1986. Williamson, Jacquelyn. “Death and the Sun Temple: New Evidence for Private Mortuary Cults at Amarna.” The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 103, no. 1 (June 2017): 117–123.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following a complicated rise-to-power, King Men-kheper-Ra Djehuty-messu (aka Thutmose III) achieved great victories on the battlefield. His campaigns extended far to the north and south, bringing tribute and captives into Egypt. At home, Thutmose’s building projects were enormous and elaborate. And over fifty-four years of rule, the King’s followers established a legendary reputation…Date: c.1495 - 1441 BCE.Episode Chapters: Part Five - Wives and Warriors: 00:01 - 01:26:22. Part Six - Revisions to the Past: 01:26:22 - 02:38:29. Part Seven - Fifty Four Years of Splendour, and the End: 02:38:29 - End. Logo image: Decorated block of Thutmose III, Luxor Museum. Photo by Dominic Perry. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the height of the 18th Dynasty (c.1495 - 1441 BCE), King Men-kheper-Ra Djehuty-messu (aka Thutmose III) ruled Egypt. The start of his reign was unusual, with power wielded primarily by the Queen-King Hatshepsut. But following Hatshepsut's death, Thutmose would rise to the challenges of rule. In this episode, we explore the King's upbringing, his rise-to-power, and the famous Battle of Megiddo.Compilation of previously released material.Date: c.1495 - 1441 BCE.Episode Chapters: Part One - Little King Thutmose: 02:20 - 37:25. Part Two - The Battle of Megiddo: 37:25 - 01:10:30. Part Three - Campaigns of Victory (Thutmose at War): 01:10:30 - 01:50:05. Part Four - Fighting and Festivals (War Stories and Heb Sed): 01:50:05 - End. Logo image: Statue of Thutmose III, Luxor Museum. Photo by Dominic Perry. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In New Kingdom Egypt (c.1500 – 1150 BCE), the rulers and people of the Nile Valley communicated extensively with their eastern neighbours. Trade and diplomacy were far more common than outright conflict. And the Egyptian pharaohs were highly regarded in distant courts. These contacts survive in the archaeological record: detailed texts recording interactions; shipwrecks carrying cargo from the Egyptian court; and even tombs recording the high status of foreigners serving the pharaoh himself.Compilation of previously released material.Logo image: A wooden statue head from the tomb of Aper-el / Abdiel. Saqqara, Imhotep Museum, photo by Dominic Perry 2024. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring ancient Egyptian interactions with the Mediterranean civilizations, from trade to diplomacy. Discover the ties between Egypt and Crete, Mycenaeans, and the kefteu people. Follow Egyptian embassies to these regions, witnessing cultural exchanges, diplomatic encounters, and even Mycenaean warriors in the Egyptian army.

Remember “Going Forth by Day”? It’s back! In song form. Many creative projects have explored themes around the Egyptian underworld. But in 2023, the Czech band Nemuer has taken a novel approach. Their album, Book of Going Forth by Day is based on original funerary papyri; and for the pronunciation of the Egyptian language, they consulted with Egyptologist Dr. Christian de Vartavan. This gives us an opportunity to explore excerpts from the Book of the Dead from a new perspective and connect more deeply with the ancient language.The podcast has covered the Book of the Dead previously, but it may be time to revisit it. Would you like me to produce more episodes diving into this text? Let me know in the comments.Episode details: Nemuer, Going Forth by Day (2023). Available on Spotify and Bandcamp. Christian de Vartavan, Vocalised Dictionary of Ancient Egyptian (2022). Available in Open Access. The History of Egypt Podcast Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Access expanded materials and support the History of Egypt Podcast at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.  Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new year dawns, and it’s time to look back. Egyptology and archaeology had a great year in 2023, with numerous major discoveries, studies, and conservation projects reaching fruition. Here is a sample selection of some particularly significant finds… Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Chat with ancient Egypt enthusiasts at our Discord. Logo image: Statue discovered at Saqqara, 2023. Select Bibliography (in order of discussion): Luxor, new royal tomb: Press Release from Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Article by Dr. Piers Litherland in Egyptian Archaeology 63 (2023). Hear about the (brief) reign of Thutmose II on the podcast, episode 60 “Thutmosid Family Values.” Luxor, tomb re-openings: The tomb of Meru (Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology). The tombs of Hurri and Djehuty (Proyecto Djehuty and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Press Release). Abydos, grave goods of Mer(et)-Neith: Press Release from the University of Vienna. Hear about the life and reign of Mer(et)-Neith on the podcast, episode 02 “Horus Takes Flight.” Abydos, temple of Ramesses II animal burials: Article by Dr. Sameh Iskander in Egyptian Archaeology 63 (2023). Saqqara, embalming workshops and Old Kingdom tomb: Press Release from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Saqqara, Gisr el-Mudir new finds: Press Release from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Saqqara, new temple for Hathor: Article by Ahmed Osman in Egyptian Archaeology 63 (2023). Abusir, tomb of the 27th Dynasty scribe Djehuty-em-hat: Press Release from the Czech Institute of Egyptology (Charles University). Cairo Museum, CT scans and 3d printing of Ptolemaic mummy: Press Release from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and open-access article at Frontiers in Medicine. Egyptology Newsletters and Websites: Mailing list by The Egyptologists’ Electronic Forum (Application Form). Updates from The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Facebook. Updates and news from Luxor Times on Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices