The History of Egypt

How the west was won. Around 1298 BCE, King Sety I (Men-ma’at-Ra) attacked the peoples of modern-day Libya and, in a supposedly swift victory, took many captives back to Egypt. The relationship between Libyans and ancient Egyptians is complicated, but we go in search of some answers… Date: c.1298 BCE (Sety I, year 6). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro/outro: “Godzilla theme” by Akira Ifukube, cover version by Luke Chaos. Music interludes by: Keith Zizza, Luke Chaos. Sety’s War Reliefs at Karnak: Available in Open Access at The University of Chicago.  Select Bibliography: P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). P. J. Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh (2023). W. A. Cooney, ‘Egypt’s Encounter with the West: Race, Culture and Identity’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Durham (2011). A. Dodson, Sethy I King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (2019). A. A. el Magd, ‘Dehumanization of the “Other:” Animal Metaphors of Defeated Enemies in the New Kingdom Military Texts’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 52 (2016), 329–341. H. El Saady, ‘The Wars of Sety I at Karnak: A New Chronological Structure’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 19 (1992), 285–94. R. O. Faulkner, ‘The Wars of Sethos I’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 33 (1947), 34–9. J. C. M. García, ‘Ḥwt jḥ(w)t, The Administration of the Western Delta and the “Libyan Question” in the Third Millennium BC’, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 101 (2015), 69–105. K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical, I (Oxford, 1975). K. A. Kitchen, ‘The Arrival of the Libyans in Late New Kingdom Egypt’, in A. Leahy (ed.), Libya and Egypt c.1300–750 BC (1990), 15–27. K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations Volume I: Ramesses I, Sethos I and Contemporaries (Second Publication edn, 2017). E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt’s New Kingdom (2005). W. J. Murnane, The Road to Kadesh: A Historical Interpretation of the Battle Reliefs of King Sety I at Karnak (1985). D. O’Connor, ‘The Nature of Tjemhu (Libyan) Society in the Later New Kingdom’, in A. Leahy (ed.), Libya and Egypt c.1300–750 BC (1990), 29–113. A. J. Spalinger, ‘The Northern Wars of Seti I: An Integrative Study’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 16 (1979), 29–47. A. J. Spalinger, War in Ancient Egypt: The New Kingdom (2005). The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, Volume I. Earlier Historical Records of Ramses III (1930). The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, Volume II. The Later Historical Records of Ramses III (1932). The Epigraphic Survey, Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak Volume 4: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I (1986). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Omm Sety, a woman with multiple names, devoted her life to Egyptology. She had a deep spiritual connection to the Temple of Sety I in Abydos. Her journey in archaeology, love for animals, and integration into the Abidos community are explored. Her immense knowledge and dedication to the Osiris religion shaped her legacy and deepened our understanding of the great temples. Humorous stories, like the lion visit, add entertainment. The podcast also discusses Seti's war dance and his visit to Apidos.

Sety at Abydos (Part 4). Finishing our tour of Sety’s Great Temple at Abydos, we explore a few more sanctuaries and facilities. Then, we discuss the monument overall. Sety invested huge resources into his building projects at Abydos, and these monuments connect to some truly ancient traditions. What were the King’s priorities, what was he trying to achieve?Photos of monuments described in this episode: Sety’s Temple: Kairoinfo4u. Sety’s Temple: Wikimedia. Chapel of Ramesses I: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Umm el-Qa’ab, pottery sherds from ancient offerings: Soloegipto. Interpreting the temple complex and adjacent facilities: David, Temple Ritual at Abydos (2018). O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (2009). Verner, Temple of the World: Sanctuaries, Cults, and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt (2013). Additional details and sources: Date: c.1300 BCE—1292 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro and interludes: Luke Chaos. Music outro: Ancient Lyric. Sistrum interludes: Tahya / Hathor Systrum. Select Bibliography: P. J. Brand, ‘The Monuments of Seti I and Their Historical Significance: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Toronto (1998). P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). A. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume I: The Chapels of Osiris, Isis, and Horus (1933). A. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume II: The Chapels of Amen-Re, Re-Harakhti, Ptah, and King Sethos (1935). A. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume III: The Osiris Complex (1938). A. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume IV: The Second Hypostyle Hall (1958). J. Capart, Abydos: Le Temple de Seti Ier (1912). A. S. G. T. Caulfeild, The Temple of the Kings at Abydos (Sety I) (1989). R. David, Temple Ritual at Abydos (2018). K. J. Eaton, ‘The Festivals of Osiris and Sokar in the Month of Khoiak: The Evidence from Nineteenth Dynasty Royal Monuments at Abydos’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 35 (2006), 75–101. A. el-Sawi, ‘Ramesses II Completing a Shrine in the Temple of Sety I at Abydos’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 10 (1983), 307–10. H. Frankfort, The Cenotaph of Seti I at Abydos (1933). F. Ll. Griffith, ‘The Abydos Decree of Seti I at Nauri’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 13 (1927), 193–208. K. Hamilton, ‘The Osireion: A Layman’s Guide’ (2018). C. H. Herzer Jr, ‘Study of the Osireion at Abydos: Code Book and Source Document for the Birth House of Isis’ (2022). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments, I (1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations Volume I: Ramesses I, Sethos I and Contemporaries (Second Publication edn, 2017). A. Leahy, ‘The Osiris “Bed” Reconsidered’, Orientalia 46 (1977), 424–34. A. Mariette, Abydos: Description des fouilles (1869). M. A. Murray, Egyptian Temples (2005). D. O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (2009). D. B. Redford, Pharaonic King-Lists, Annals, and Day-Books: A Contribution to the Study of the Egyptian Sense of History (1986). O. Sety and H. el Zeini, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt (1981). M. Smith, Following Osiris: Perspectives on the Osirian Afterlife from Four Millenia (2017). M. Verner, Temple of the World: Sanctuaries, Cults, and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt (2013). R. H. Wilkinson, The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt (2000). R. H. Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt (2003). H. E. Winlock, Bas-Reliefs from the Temple of Ramesses I at Abydos (1921). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety at Abydos (Part 3). The Osireion is an intriguing monument, one that attracts a huge amount of debate, discussion, and speculation. Its discovery was unexpected, its excavation was an enormous undertaking, and there are many uncertainties about its purpose, history, and overall significance. Still, with an extensive photographic record, some meticulous archaeological work, and a great deal of discussion, we can attempt to understand the Osireion. Who built the Osireion (and how old is it)? Why is it here, behind Sety’s great temple? What purpose does it serve? In this episode, we explore these questions, and try to understand the monument overall.NOTE: Due to the complex nature of the Osireion’s history (ancient and modern), archaeology, and the difficulty of describing it, I will do a video lecture on YouTube in future. Check this post, or the website, for links when published.Further Information: The Osireion is surprisingly well documented, both in archival photography and modern analysis and discussion.Modern photos exploring the Osireion: Flickr: Soloegipto. Flickr: Archaeology Archive Project. Archaeology / Excavation Reports for The Osireion (free open access): Caulfeild, Temple of the Kings at Abydos, 1902: Internet Archive and Heidelberg University. Primarily focusses on main temple but brief discussion of work in western precinct that led to Murray’s excavations. Murray, The Osireion, 1904: Internet Archive, ETANA.org, and Academia.edu. Edouard Naville’s excavation reports (various journals) describing work at Abydos including the Osireion: JSTOR.org (requires free account). Frankfort, The Cenotaph of Sety I at Abydos, volume 1 and volume 2, 1933: Internet Archive. Includes complete summary of earlier excavations and fuller description of the monument (compared to Naville). James Westerman website (with database of articles and photos): JamesWesterman.org. Keith Hamilton, “Osiris: A Layman’s Guide,” on Academia.edu. Charles Herzer, “Study of the Osireion at Abydos,” at Isida Project. Photo Collections of early excavations at Abydos/Osireion: Dumbarton Oaks: Photo Exhibition Abydos 1910s—1920s. Egypt Exploration Society Photo Archives (Flickr): Excavations 1911. Entrance passages and central hall. Excavations 1913. Central hall. Excavations 1925 (Part 1). Central hall and side chambers. Excavations 1925 (Part 2). Central hall clearance and work. In this episode, I don’t discuss the mechanics of ancient stone working. That will come in future. But for now, you may be interested in archaeologists’ experiments to test ancient tools and the feasibility of carving hard stones (e.g., granite). Some good starter information can be found here: Denys Stocks, Experiments in Egyptian Archaeology: Stoneworking Technology in Ancient Egypt (2022 updated edition). Taylor and Francis Publications. YouTube: Ancient Egyptian Stoneworking with Denys Stocks (Sacred Geometry Decoded) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoOCcrgWkIA. YouTube: Reconstruction of Ancient Technologies (Scientists Against Myths) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJXCRTftQoU_AXz0_uxwMQZCt2O9ULxLE. Additional details and sources: Date: c.1300 BCE—1292 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro: Ihab Mahna. Music interludes and outro: Luke Chaos. Sistrum interludes: Tahya / Hathor Systrum. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Select Bibliography: A. M. Abudeif et al., ‘Geoarchaeological Investigation of Abydos Area Using Land Magnetic and GPR Techniques, El-Balyana, Sohag, Egypt’, Applied Sciences 12 (2022), 9640. P. Brand, ‘Secondary Restorations in the Post-Amarna Period’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 36 (1999), 113–34. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety in Abydos (Part 2). Having toured the first part of Sety’s Temple at Abydos, we continue our exploration. Today, we discuss one of the monument’s most famous features: a King List, presenting a (supposedly) uninterrupted record of rulers up to Sety’s day. In truth, the Abydos King List is complex, with omissions and inclusions that don’t quite match scholars’ archaeological and historical information. What was Sety trying to achieve, with this curious feature? We explore…This is part 2 in our tour of the temple. We have already visited the Hypostyle Halls, Seven Chapels, and Osiris Complex. In future episodes, we will discuss the Osireion, the secondary features of the monument, and the known priests/staff who managed it.Images: Full-colour reproduction of the Abydos King List at Wonderful Things Art. Use checkout code EGYPTPODCAST for 30% off your order when purchasing 3-or-more items! Logo image by Wonderful Things Art. A.M. Calverley, The Temple of Sethos I at Abydos, 4 volumes, open access via Chicago University Publications. Wikimedia: Category: Temple of Seti I in Abydos. Flickr.com: Kairoinfo4u. Flickr.com: Heidi Kontkanen. Details and sources: Read the Abydos King List at Wikipedia and Pharaoh.se. Date: c. 1300 BCE—1292 BCE (temple unfinished at Sety I death). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro and interludes: Luke Chaos. Music interludes and outro: Keith Zizza. Sistrum interludes: Tahya / Hathor Systrum. Texts: Kenneth Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptions volume 1. Hieroglyph versions at Internet Archive, English translations at Abercromby Press. Texts: Full texts of the temple, including transliteration and translation: Rosalie David, Temple Ritual at Abydos (2018) at Egypt Exploration Society. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Select Bibliography: P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). J. Capart, Abydos: Le Temple de Seti Ier (1912). A. S. G. Caulfield, The Temple of the Kings at Abydos (Sety I) (1989). R. David, Temple Ritual at Abydos (2018). C. Eyre, The Use of Documents in Pharaonic Egypt (2013). H. W. Fairman, ‘The Kingship Rituals of Egypt’, in S. Hooke (ed.), Myth, ritual, and kingship: essays on the theory and practice of kingship in the ancient Near East and in Israel (1958), 74–104. K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments, I (1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations Volume I: Ramesses I, Sethos I and Contemporaries (Second Publication edn, 2017). H. H. Nelson, ‘Certain Reliefs at Karnak and Medinet Habu and the Ritual of Amenophis I’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 8 (1949), 201–32, 310–45. D. B. Redford, Pharaonic King-Lists, Annals, and Day-Books: A Contribution to the Study of the Egyptian Sense of History (1986). K. Ryholt, ‘The Turin King-List’, Ägypten und Levante / Egypt and the Levant 14 (2004), 135–55. O. Sety and H. el Zeini, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt (1981). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the breathtaking Temple of Sety I at Abydos, a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a vital part of Egyptian royal history. Discover the temple's stunning design, featuring the unique 'Seven Chapels,' and learn about the significance of Osiris in ancient rituals. Journey through pre-Sety Abydos and delve into the symbolic connections between Sety and the god of resurrection. Despite its unfinished facade, the temple stands as a testament to the sacred legacy and cultural heritage still captivating visitors today.

Learn about the early life of Ramesses II, his upbringing and expansion of the royal household under Sety I's rule. Also, get updates on the podcast schedule and special projects, along with gratitude towards listeners and patrons.

Karnak, Abydos, foreign wars, and prince Ramesses. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand joins us once again to explore the life, reign, and legacy of Sety I. We also explore the rise of prince Ramesses (later King Ramesses II), who becomes increasingly prominent in the later years of his father's rule.Links and more info: Peter Brand at Memphis University. National Geographic documentary "Egypt: Quest for Eternity," on YouTube. Peter Brand articles and books on Academia.edu. Peter Brand, The Monuments of Sety I (2000), free pdf version at Academia. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh (2023) available now via Lockwood Press. Free preview at Academia. Peter Brand (with Rosa Ferleg and William Murnane), The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak, volumes II and III (2018) free pdf versions via Chicago University. Volume I (by Harold Hays and William Murnane) also available via Chicago University. 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

Sety I (Part 6b): Standards and Practices. The early 19th Dynasty army was a well-organised machine, with distinct units (the zA ‘company’) and officers (e.g., chai sereet, ‘Standard Bearers’). Papyrus archives record the daily business of military life, like the Standard Bearer Mai-Sety / Mai-Sutekhy, the company scribe User-Hat, and the royal administrators that monitored food deliveries, rations, and supplies of essential goods…Details and sources: Date: c. 1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro and interludes: Luke Chaos. Music outro: Bettina Joy de Guzman (Ancient Lyric). Texts: Kenneth Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptions volume 1. Hieroglyph versions at Internet Archive, English translations at Abercromby Press. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Select Bibliography: S. Allam, ‘Trois missives d’un commandant (Pap. CGC 58053-5), (avec 5 planches)’, Annales du Services des Antiquités de l’Egypte 71 (1987), 5–27. A. H. Gardiner, ‘The Ancient Military Road between Egypt and Palestine’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 6 (1920), 99–116. B. Heagren, ‘The Art of War in Pharaonic Egypt’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Auckland (2010). M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the Warrior Kings (1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments, I (1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations, I (2017). S. McDermott, ‘Ancient Egyptian Footsoldiers and Their Weapons: A Study of Military Iconography and Weapon Remains’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Manchester (2002). A. R. Schulman, ‘Military Rank, Title, and Organization in the Egyptian New Kingdom’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Pennsylvania (1962). A. J. Spalinger, Aspects of the Military Documents of the Ancient Egyptians (1982). A. J. Spalinger, ‘The Army’, in T. Wilkinson (ed.), The Egyptian World (2007), 118–131. The Epigraphic Survey, Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak Volume 4: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I (1986). E. F. Wente, Letters from Ancient Egypt (1990). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety I (Part 6): Mesha, Menfat, Pedjet, Pecherer. By 1300 BCE, Egyptians had developed a sophisticated, well-organised military system. Distinct branches and types of troops (infantry, archers, auxiliaries, and more) marched and fought in identifiable units. Their weapons survive in the archaeological record, and ancient texts and art reveal their equipment, behaviour, and battlefield roles. Today, we introduce the soldiers who won Sety I’s wars…Details and sources: Date: c. 1300 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro and interludes: Bettina Joy de Guzman. Interludes: Luke Chaos. Music outro: Keith Zizza. Texts: Kenneth Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptions volume 1. Hieroglyph versions at Internet Archive, English translations at Abercromby Press. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Select Bibliography: P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). P. J. Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh (2023). A. H. Gardiner, ‘The Ancient Military Road between Egypt and Palestine’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 6 (1920), 99–116. B. Heagren, ‘The Art of War in Pharaonic Egypt’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Auckland (2010). M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the Warrior Kings (1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments, I (Oxford, 1993). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations, I (Wallasey, 2017). S. McDermott, ‘Ancient Egyptian Footsoldiers and Their Weapons: A Study of Military Iconography and Weapon Remains’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Manchester (2002). E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt’s New Kingdom (2005). W. J. Murnane, The Road to Kadesh: A Historical Interpretation of the Battle Reliefs of King Sety I at Karnak (1985). A. R. Schulman, ‘Military Rank, Title, and Organization in the Egyptian New Kingdom’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Pennsylvania (1962). A. J. Spalinger, Aspects of the Military Documents of the Ancient Egyptians (1982). A. J. Spalinger, War in Ancient Egypt: The New Kingdom (2005). A. J. Spalinger, ‘The Army’, in T. Wilkinson (ed.), The Egyptian World (New York, 2007), 118–131. The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, Volume I. Earlier Historical Records of Ramses III (1930). The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, Volume II. The Later Historical Records of Ramses III (1932). The Epigraphic Survey, Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak Volume 4: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I (1986). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices