Alle afleveringen
377 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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246: Heirs of Sutech
2 november 2026 · 27 min
Setnakht & Ramesses III, c.1201--1198 BCE. The 20th Dynasty began in conflict, and the new ruler Setnakht ("Sutech is Victorious") needed to reunite Egyptian society. Reconciliation, and recrimination, both followed his accession. Shortly after, Setnakht's son Ramesses III ascended the throne... Lees meer
Music: "Thoth" by Siamun, used with permission.
Support the show and get exclusive perks at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
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Love Songs & Poems of the New Kingdom
26 oktober 2026 · 33 min
Compilation of previously released mini episodes (2015-2018). New Kingdom poems are a delightful genre, full of playful and evocative imagery. In this compilation we explore some love poems told from male & female perspectives, and the story of a scribe desperate for a holiday in the big city... Lees meer
Guest voice: Anya Banerjee.
Bibliography
Foster, J. L. (1992). Echoes of Egyptian Voices: An Anthology of Ancient Egyptian Poetry. University of Oklahoma Press.
Foster, J. L. (1995). Hymns, Prayers, and Songs: An Anthology of Ancient Egyptian Lyric Poetry (S. T. Hollis, Ed.). Scholars Press.
Kitchen, K. A. (1999). Poetry of ancient Egypt. Paul Åströms Förlag.
Landgráfová, R., & Navrátilová, H. (2009). Sex and the Golden Goddess I: Ancient Egyptian Love Songs in Context. Czech Institute of Egyptology.
Parkinson, R. B. (1997). The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems (1940—1640 BC). Oxford University Press.
Simpson, W. K. (2003). The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry (3rd ed.). Yale University Press.
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Egyptology Today (with Ask Historians Podcast)
12 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
In 2025 I did an interview with the AskHistorians podcast, a reddit-based show where specialists discuss history and major questions about their fields. Lees meer
In this interview, we discuss the history of Egyptology, stories from ancient Egypt, the situation of the field today, and why Hollywood can't seem to make any stories about Egypt that don't involve Cleopatra.
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245: Revenge of the Seth (The 19th Dynasty Falls)
5 oktober 2026 · 28 min
Siptah, Tausret, Setnakht. Between 1205--1202 BCE, the royal house of Ramesses II crumbled into illegitimacy. After Siptah, the queen Tausret declared herself pharaoh. Her reign leaves tantalising traces. But shortly after, a man named Set-Nakht ("Seth is Victorious") seized the throne and inaugurated the 20th Dynasty. Subsequently, he and his successors declared the late 19th Dynasty a period of "empty years," lacking legitimacy, with no true ruler. Lees meer
What went wrong?
Logo image: The "charioteer ostracon," depicting a female ruler charging against a male, both firing arrows (Daressy 1909).
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244: B(a)y Your Command
22 september 2026 · 24 min
Siptah & Chancellor Bay. The last years of Dynasty 19 are murky, with hints of disorder and violence. At the centre of affairs, the courtier Bay directed policy and controlled access to King Siptah. Pharaoh himself was sickly, possibly disabled. The power-shift culminated in a rather dramatic break... Lees meer
Music: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos.
Logo image: Siptah, from his tomb KV47 (Davis 1908).
Bibliography
Bierbrier, M. (2011). Bye-Bye Bay. In M. Collier & S. Snape (Eds.), Ramesside studies in honour of K. A. Kitchen (pp. 19–21). Rutherford.
Černý, J. (1966). A note on the chancellor Bay. Zeitschrift Für Ägyptische Sprache Und Altertumskunde, 93, 35--39.
Cooney, K. M. (2022). The New Kingdom of Egypt Under the Ramesside Dynasty. In D. T. Potts, N. Moeller, & K. Radner (Eds.), The Oxford History of the Ancient Near East, Volume III: From the Hyksos to the Late Second Millennium BC (pp. 251--366). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190687601.003.0027
Dodson, A. (2011). Fade to grey: The chancellor Bay, Éminence Grise of the late Nineteenth Dynasty. In M. Collier & S. Snape (Eds.), Ramesside Studies in Honour of K. A. Kitchen (pp. 145--158). Rutherford.
Dodson, A. (2016). Poisoned Legacy: The Decline and Fall of the Nineteenth Egyptian Dynasty (Revised edn). American University in Cairo Press.
Dodson, A. (2025). Siptah’s leg and other stories. In A. F. Morris & H. Vogel (Eds.), Disability in ancient Egypt and Egyptology: All our yesterdays (pp. 214--220). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003440369-17
Drenkhahn, R. (1980). Die Elephantine-Stele des Sethnacht und ihr historischer Hintergrund. Harrassowitz.
Galassi, F. M., Habicht, M. E., & Rühli, F. J. (2017). Poliomyelitis in ancient Egypt? Neurological Sciences, 38, 375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2720-9
Goedicke, H. (1979). “Irsu, The Kharu” in Papyrus Harris. Wiener Zeitschrift Für Die Kunde Des Morgenlandes, 71, 1--17. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23858901
Grandet, P. (2000). L’execu…
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243: Kingmakers & Criminals
14 september 2026 · 38 min
Tausret, Siptah, Bay, and the case of Paneb. By 1210 BCE, the southern rebellion was dying down, but trouble was far from over. The courtier Bay appears on the scene, first as an agent of Sety II, then as a "kingmaker" in his own right. Tausret increases her power, becoming a regent figure (like Hatshepsut). The young ruler Siptah, physically enfeebled and of uncertain heritage, provides a veil of legitimacy for a new triumvirate. Lees meer
Meanwhile, in Deir el-Medina, the foremen/chiefs Hay and Paneb deal with serious allegations... [WARNING: Starting at 23:01, episode contains content that may not be suitable for all listeners]
Logo image: Winged Ma'at in KV47, tomb of Siptah, by E. Harold Jones 1910 (MMA).
Bibliography
Aldred, C. (1963a). The Parentage of King Siptaḥ. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 49, 41–48. https://doi.org/10.2307/3855698
Aldred, C. (1963b). Valley Tomb No. 56 at Thebes. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 49, 176–178. https://doi.org/10.2307/3855714
Altenmüller, H. (1989). Untersuchungen zum Grab des Bai (KV13) im Tal der Könige von Theben. Göttinger Miszellen, 107, 43--54.
Bartos, F. (2023). The Official Titles wb3 nswt ‘royal wb3’ and wdpw nswt ‘royal wdpw’ and the Function of their Holders in the New Kingdom.
Beckerath, J. von. (1962). Queen Twosre as guardian of Siptaḥ. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 48, 70--74.
Bierbrier, M. L. (2000). Paneb Rehabilitated? In R. J. Demarée & A. Egberts (Eds.), Deir el-Medina in the Third Millennium AD: A Tribute to Jac. J. Janssen (pp. 51--54).
Černý, J. (1966). A note on the chancellor Bay. Zeitschrift Für Ägyptische Sprache Und Altertumskunde, 93, 35--39.
Cooney, K. M. (2022). The New Kingdom of Egypt Under the Ramesside Dynasty. In D. T. Potts, N. Moeller, & K. Radner (Eds.), The Oxford History of the Ancient Near East, Volume III: From the Hyksos to the Late Second Millennium BC (pp. 251--366). https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190687601.003.0027
Davies, B. G. (1997). Egyptian Historical In…
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242: The Year of Two Pharaohs (Sety II vs Amenmesse)
7 september 2026 · 32 min
Between 1215 and 1211 BCE, Egypt was divided. A rebellion in the south, launched by Amen-messe "Born of Amun" disrupted the succession of Sety II, son of Merneptah. Records from this shadowy period hint at violence and corruption in Waset/Luxor, as the usurper took control and established a new regime. The impact of this conflict would have long-lasting ramifications for the 19th Dynasty... Lees meer
Music: Luke Chaos.
Logo: An unnamed statue head from Karnak, probably depicting Sety II or Amenmesse (Metropolitan Museum of Art, public domain).
Was Amenmesse the Viceroy Messuy?
Below are scenes from Amada in Nubia, where Messuy carved scenes of himself before royal cartouches. Prof. Aidan Dodson suggests that the Viceroy has cobra/uraei on his forehead, though other scholars suggest this is mere weathering. What do you think?
Photos (high-res) https://www.flickr.com/photos/184518985@N04/Bibliography
Brand, P. J. (2009). Usurped Cartouches of Merenptah at Karnak and Luxor. In P. J. Brand & L. Cooper (Eds.), Causing His Name to Live: Studies in Egyptian Epigraphy and History in Memory of William J. Murnane (pp. 29–48). Brill. http://history.memphis.edu/murnane/Brand.pdf
Caminos, R. A. (1974). The new-kingdom temples of Buhen. Egypt Exploration Society.
Černý, J. (1929). Papyrus Salt 124 (Brit. Mus. 10055). The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 15(3/4), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.2307/3854120
Cooney, K. M. (2022). The New Kingdom of Egypt Under the Ramesside Dynasty. In D. T. Potts, N. Moeller, & K. Radner (Eds.), The Oxford History of the Ancient Near East, Volume III: From the Hyksos to the Late Second Millennium BC (pp. 251--366). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190687601.003.0027
Dodson, A. (2016). Poisoned Legacy: The Decline and Fall of the Nineteenth Egyptian Dynasty (Revised edn). American University in Cairo Press.
Hopper, R. W. (2010). The Monuments of Amenmesse and Seti II: A Historical Inquiry [Unpublished PhD. Thesis]. The Univer…
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The Egyptian Crusade with Dr. Thomas Smith
31 augustus 2026 · 52 min
From 1217 to 1221 CE, Egypt faced an invasion in the Delta. A bizarre tale of D-Day-esque beach landings, improvised nun-chucks, and the vengeance of Hapi ensued. Today's guest Dr. Thomas Smith explains the story and introduces his new book The Fifth Crusade: A History of the Epic Campaign to Conquer Egypt. Lees meer
The Fifth Crusade (2026) available from Yale University Press and all good retailers.
Dr. Thomas Smith's website: https://thomaswsmith.co.uk/
Music by Luke Chaos.
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241: Annihilation of the Wicked
24 augustus 2026 · 31 min
Merneptah's Nubian War, the Book of Caverns, and his Legacy. The later years of Merneptah's reign were eventful. Just as the Libu war wound down, another conflict started in Nubia. Shortly after, there may have been some disruptions or reshuffling in the government. We also get a new religious text known as the "Book of Caverns." Finally, we follow Merneptah's passing and his legacy. Lees meer
Video lecture about Merneptah's Memphite palace: Cahail, K. (2020, December 3). The Palace of Pharaoh Merenptah: Examining an Archaeological “Cold Case.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhDB98ZH2-k
Extended version (49m) available on Patreon.
Music: Keith Zizza, Luke Chaos.
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240: Merneptah vs the Sea Peoples (and Odysseus, and the Hittites)
17 augustus 2026 · 38 min
As the Libu war wound down, Merneptah's troops took captives and plundered the bodies of fallen warriors. Along the way, we also hear of "foreign peoples of the Sea," who were involved in these events. Merneptah mentions Sherden, Lukka, Tursha, Ekwesh, and Shekelesh. Who were these "Sea Peoples" and why were they coming to Egypt? Lees meer
Music: Keith Zizza, Luke Chaos.
We're on YouTube! Ancient history media @dominicperryae and the podcast (plus bonus lectures) @historyegyptpodcast
Support the show and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Transcript and references at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com
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239: A Pyramid of Corpses
3 augustus 2026 · 47 min
Merneptah vs the Libyans. In 1221 BCE, Egypt faced a crisis. Tribal coalitions from the west, and some "Peoples of the Sea" were marching on the Nile Valley. They came in their thousands, armed and ready to settle. Caught by surprise, King Merneptah and his warriors hastened to the defence... Lees meer
Support the show and get early releases, ad-free episodes, bonus video content, and pictures/videos of animals I meet in Egypt and travelling www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Music by Bettina Joy de Guzman; Luke Chaos; and Keith Zizza.
Bibliography
Cline, E. H. (2021). 1177 B.C. The Year Civilization Collapsed (Revised edn). Princeton University Press.
D’Amato, R., & Salimbeti, Andrea. (2015). Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age Mediterranean c.1400 BC–1000 BC. Osprey.
Darnell, J. C., & Manassa, C. M. (2007). Tutankhamun’s armies: Battle and conquest during ancient Egypt’s late eighteenth dynasty. John Wiley & Sons.
Davies, B. G. (1997). Egyptian Historical Inscriptions of the Nineteenth Dynasty. Paul Aströms förlag.
Dean, R. (2017). Warfare & Weaponry in Dynastic Egypt. Pen & Sword.
Finné, M., Woodbridge, J., Labuhn, I., & Roberts, N. (2019). Holocene hydro-climatic variability in the Mediterranean: A synthetic multi-proxy reconstruction. The Holocene, 29, 847--863. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959683619826634
Heagren, B. (2010). The Art of War in Pharaonic Egypt [Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Auckland]. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49463150_The_art_of_war_in_pharaonic_Egypt_an_analysis_of_the_tactical_logistic_and_operational_capabilities_of_the_Egyptian_army
Healy, M. (1992). New Kingdom Egypt. Osprey Publishing.
Kaniewski, D., Campo, E. V., Guiot, J., Burel, S. L., Otto, T., & Baeteman, C. (2013). Environmental Roots of the Late Bronze Age Crisis. PLOS ONE, 8(8), e71004. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071004
Kaniewski, D., Marriner, N., Bretschneider, J., Jans, G., Morhange, C., Cheddadi, R., Otto, T., Luce, F., & Van Cam…
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238: Merneptah Seizes Canaan (feat. A Tribe Called Israel)
27 juli 2026 · 35 min
Merneptah started his reign aggressively, striking a belligerent tone in his royal names and launching an expedition to Canaan in the first few years. In the process, his troops captured Ashkelon, Gezer, and Yenoam, and dealt with a tribe called "Israel." Simultaneously, Merneptah achieved a great diplomatic coup when we brought Ugarit back into the Egyptian sphere. Lees meer
Music by Keith Zizza & Luke Chaos.
Video version available at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Merneptah General
Dodson, A. (2016). Poisoned Legacy: The Decline and Fall of the Nineteenth Egyptian Dynasty (Revised edn).
Iskander, S. (2002). The Reign of Merneptah [Unpublished PhD. Thesis].
Kitchen, K. A. (1987). The Titularies of the Ramesside Kings as Expression of their Ideal Kingship. Annales Du Service Des Antiquités de l’Égypte, 71, 131--141.
Servajean, F. (2014). Mérenptah et la fin de la XIXe dynastie.
Sourouzian, H. (1989). Les Monuments du roi Merenptah.
Canaan, Ugarit, Proto-Israelites (Summary)
Cline, E. H. (2021). 1177 B.C. The Year Civilization Collapsed (Revised edn).
Dever, W. G. (2017). Beyond the texts: An archaeological portrait of ancient Israel and Judah.
Hasel, M. G. (1998). Domination & Resistance: Egyptian Military Activity in the Southern Levant, ca. 1300-1185 BC.
Higginbotham, C. R. (2000). Egyptianization and Elite Emulation in Ramesside Palestine: Governance and Accommodation on the Imperial Periphery.
Kahn, D. (2024). The order of Merenptah’s reliefs at the Cour de la Cachette, Karnak and its implications. JSSEA, 51, 15-43 online.
Killebrew, A. E. (2020). Early Israel’s Origins, Settlement, and Ethnogenesis. In B. E. Kelle & B. A. Strawn (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the Historical Books of the Hebrew Bible (pp. 79--93). https://www.academia.edu/101675394/Early_Israels_Origins_Settlement_and_Ethnogenesis_by_Ann_E_Killebrew_2020
Kitchen, K. A. (2004). The Victories of Merenptah, and the Nature of their Record. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 28(3), 259…
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237: Drinking with Khonsu / The Dream Book
13 juli 2026 · 26 min
Ramessid Daily Life (Part 2). Why did a tomb-builder skip work for “drinking with Khonsu”? Why was Parahotep never invited to parties? And what did it mean if you dreamed about drinking wine? Records from Deir el-Medina, in the reign of Ramesses II, illuminate aspects of daily life and the concerns of ordinary folks. Lees meer
In this episode, we explore the Absentee List (Ostracon EA 5634) and the Dream Book of Qen-her-khopeshef (Papyrus Chester Beatty III).
Support the show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast to get extended episodes, bonus video content, and much more.
Follow our YouTube channel @historyegyptpodcast
Episode References
Černý, J. (2001). A Community of Workmen at Thebes in the Ramesside Period (2nd edn).
Davies, B. G. (1999). Who’s Who at Deir el-Medina: A Prosopographic Study of the Royal Workmen’s Community. https://www.nino-leiden.nl/publication/whos-who-at-deir-el-medina
Davies, B. G. (2018). Life Within the Five Walls: A Handbook to Deir el-Medina.
Donker van Heel, K. (2016). Mrs. Naunakhte & Family: The Women of Ramesside Deir el-Medina.
Edwards, I. E. S. (1968). Ḳenḥikhopshef’s Prophylactic Charm. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 54, 155--160. https://doi.org/10.2307/3855919
Gardiner, A. H. (1935). Hieratic Papyri in the British Museum, Third Series: Chester Beatty Gift (Vols. 1–2).
Janssen, Jac. J. (1980). Absence from work by the necropolis workmen of Thebes. Studien Zur Altägyptischen Kultur, 8, 127--152. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/25150069.pdf
Szpakowska, K. M. (2003). Behind Closed Eyes: Dreams and Nightmares in Ancient Egypt.
Wente, E. F. (1990). Letters from Ancient Egypt.
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Was Pharaoh literally a god? Listener Questions 1
30 juni 2026 · 52 min
Bonus episode. I took some listener questions in a livestream, and here they are. We cover topics like: Was pharaoh literally a god? How common was tattooing? Was there an ancient canal between the Nile and Red Sea? What are my recommended Egyptology books? And much more... Lees meer
If you'd like to join future Q-and-A sessions you can find them at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. If you would like to submit a question, drop it in the comments!
There is a (shorter) video version of this QnA available at https://www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast/posts/qna-ask-me-june-162481450
Questions
Top 3 Egyptology books: 00:55
Royal family tombs (like KV5): 06:50
Tattooing? 09:55
Was Pharaoh literally a god? 13:21
Linen - who made it and how? 18:50
What is the biggest misconception people have about ancient Egypt? 20:44
Perfumes: What do we know about them? 23:58
How long do you need at the GEM? 27:01
Best book about gods/mythology? 29:38
How do you pronounce Ra (or Re?) 30:56
What happened to Mortuary Temples after their owner died? 31:46
What role did dwarfs / little people play in ancient Egyptian society? 34:01
What role did foreigners play? Could they reach high status? 35:14
Could Beketaten be the mother of Tutankhamun? 39:05
Did Canaanite religion influence Egypt more, or vice versa? 39:52
Did Egyptian solar religion influence the Roman cult of Sol Invictus? 42:34
Gods and Goddesses: how prominent are the LOCAL deities in different regions? 44:20
When was the "Canal of the Pharaohs" connecting the Nile and Red Sea? 47:34
What are the most common biases in Egyptology? 49:01
The Oxford Encyclopedia
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt on Internet Archive: Vol.1 (A-F); Vol. 2 (G-O); Vol. 3 (P-Z).
Tattooing
Booth, C. (2001). Possible tattooing instruments in the Petrie Museum. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 87, 172--175. http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3822379.pdf
Fletcher, J. (2005). The decorated body in ancient Egypt: Hairstyles, cosmetics and tattoos…
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Ramesses Eternal with Prof. Peter Brand
22 juni 2026 · 19 min
Prof. Peter Brand joins us for one final conversation about Ramesses II: Egypt's "Ultimate Pharaoh." Lees meer
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend Peter's book Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh (2023). It covers everything I discussed, and much more, in exceptional detail.
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236: Legends of Ramesses "the Great"
15 juni 2026 · 31 min
How does Ramesses II stack up to his predecessors? Why did ancient writers connect him with the Trojan War? In this episode we explore tales of Ramesses, told in antiquity, and consider his legacy in the modern world. Lees meer
Music: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos.
Bibliography
Brand, P. (2010a). Reuse and Restoration. In W. Wendrich (Ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2vp6065d
Brand, P. (2010b). Usurpation of Monuments. In W. Wendrich (Ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5gj996k5
Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh.
Breasted, J. H. (1912). A History of Egypt.
Bunsen, C. C. J. von. (1848). Egypt’s place in universal history: An historical investigation in five books (C. H. Cottrell, Trans.; Vols. 1–5). https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015050932519
Cooney, K. M. (2022). The New Kingdom of Egypt Under the Ramesside Dynasty. In D. T. Potts, N. Moeller, & K. Radner (Eds.), The Oxford History of the Ancient Near East, Volume III: From the Hyksos to the Late Second Millennium BC (pp. 251--366). https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190687601.003.0027
Davies, B. G. (1997). Egyptian Historical Inscriptions of the Nineteenth Dynasty.
Edwards, A. B. (1899). A Thousand Miles up the Nile (2nd edn). https://archive.org/details/thousandmilesupn0000edwa_e0y7/page/n9/mode/2up
Kelly, B. (2010). Tacitus, Germanicus and the Kings of Egypt (tac. Ann. 2.59–61). The Classical Quarterly, 60(1), 221–237. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40984750
Kitchen, K. A. (1982). Pharaoh Triumphant: The Life and Times of Ramesses II, King of Egypt.
Lietzelman, H. (2014). Pharaonism: Decolonizing Historical Identity. Prized Writing 2014-2015, 46–51.
Neville, J. W. (1977). Herodotus on the Trojan War. Greece & Rome, 24(1), 3–12. https://www.jstor.org/stable/642683
Said, S. (2012). 2 Herodotus and the ‘Myth’ of the Trojan War. In E. Baragwanath & M. de Bakker (Eds.), Myth, Truth, and Narrative in Herodotus (pp. 87--…
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235: Ramesses the Great God
8 juni 2026 · 31 min
In 1226 BCE, his sixty-seventh year of rule, the long life of Ramesses II finally ended. We explore his final decades, the difficult life revealed by his mummy, his ascent to status of "living god," and the aftermath of his reign. Lees meer
Music: Luke Chaos.
Support the History of Egypt at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Select References:
Balout, L., Roubet, C., & Desroches-Noblecourt, C. (1985). La momie de Ramsès: Contribution scientifique à l’Egyptologie.
Brand, P. (2010). Reuse and Restoration. In W. Wendrich (Ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology online.
Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh.
Demarée, R. J. (2016). Announcement of the passing of Ramesses II. JEOL, 46, 121--125. Academia.edu.
Gallet, L. (2013). Karnak: The Temple of Amun-Ra-Who-Hears-Prayers. In W. Wendrich (Ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology online.
Hawass, Z. A., & Saleem, S. N. (2016). Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging in the New Kingdom Royal Mummies.
Hornung, E., Krauss, R., & Warburton, D. (Eds.). (2006). Ancient Egyptian Chronology.
Shehab El-Din, T. (1997). The title, “mdw jAwj”: “the staff of old age” “ 'ukkāza aš-šayḫuḫa.” Discussions in Egyptology, 37, 59--64. Academia.edu.
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234: Destroying Amarna / Splitting Heirs
25 mei 2026 · 28 min
Sometime in Ramesses II's reign, royal artisans dismantled the city of Akhet-Aten (Amarna). Carefully, methodically, they removed the talatat blocks and carted them away to the nearby town Hemenu (Hermopolis) for reuse in a temple. This demolition of the Horizon of Aten remains a matter of debate among scholars: why now, and what motivated it? Lees meer
Meanwhile, Ramesses II has a problem. His sons keep dying. Between regnal years 25--55, at least twelve princes "passed to the west." We meet the designated heirs (and the spares), and see who finally got the top job...
The funerary mask (of Khaemwaset?) in the Louvre and Wikimedia.
Extended version available at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Music: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos.
Select References
Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh.
Fisher, M. M. (2001). The Sons of Ramesses II (Vols. 1–2).
Hanke, R. (1978). Amarna-Reliefs aus Hermopolis: Neue Veröffentlichungen und Studien.
Iskander, S. (2002). The Reign of Merneptah [Unpublished PhD. Thesis].
Kemp, B. J. (2013). The City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and Its People.
Kitchen, K. A. (1975). Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical (Vol. 2).
Kitchen, K. A. (1993a). Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments (Vol. 2).
Kitchen, K. A. (1993b). Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations (Vol. 2).
Reeves, N. (2019). Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Prophet (2nd edn).
Roeder, G. (1959). Hermopolis 1929-1939.
Servajean, F. (2014). Mérenptah et la fin de la XIXe dynastie. .
Sourouzian, H. (1989). Les Monuments du roi Merenptah.
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233: Friendship in Dark Times (The Bronze Age Collapse Begins?)
18 mei 2026 · 35 min
Ramesses and Hattusili (Part 2). After the marriage to a Hittite princess in Year 34, Ramesses II had much to offer his northern family. A visit from the King of Hatti's son, seeking food supplies, may relate to repeated hunger crises in Syria and Hatti. Pharaoh's support brought the two kingdoms closer together, although we must wonder if the Bronze Age Collapse has now begun... Finally a text known as the Bentresh Stela offers a fairytale memory of Ramesses' relations with Hatti. Lees meer
Music: Keith Zizza.
Music: Luke Chaos.
==
Select References - Hattusili and Ramesses
Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh.
Bryce, T. (2003). Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East: The Royal Correspondence of the Late Bronze Age.
Bryce, T. (2005). The Kingdom of the Hittites (2nd ed.).
Divon, S. A. (2008). A Survey of the Textual Evidence for “Food Shortage” from the Late Hittite Empire. In The City of Emar Among the Late Bronze Age Empires (pp. 101--109). Online.
Drews, R. (1993). The End of the Bronze Age.
Edel, E. (1994). Die ägyptisch-hethitische Korrespondenz aus Boghazköi in babylonischer und hethitischer Sprache I.
Hoffner Jr., H. A. (2009). Letters from the Hittite Kingdom.
Kaniewski, D., et al. (2020). Climate Change and Social Unrest: A 6,000‐Year Chronicle From the Eastern Mediterranean. Geophysical Research Letters, 47. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087496
Klengel, H. (1974). “Hungerjahre” in Hatti. Altorientalische Forschungen, 1, 165—174.
Kuslu, Y., & Sahin, U. (2009). Water Structures in Anatolia from Past to Present. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 5, 2109--2116.
Nougayrol, E., et al. (1968). Ugaritica V.
Owen, D. I. (1981). An Akkadian Letter from Ugarit at Tel Aphek. Tel Aviv, 8, 1--17. Online.
Singer, I. (2011). The Calm Before the Storm: Selected Writings of Itamar Singer on the Late Bronze Age in Anatolia and the Levant.
Select References - The Bentresh Stela
Erman, A. (1883). Die Bentreschstele. Zeitschrift…
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The 100 Children of Ramesses II with Prof. Peter Brand
27 april 2026 · 43 min
Ramesses is famous for fathering 100+ children. But what did all these princes and princesses do? Prof. Peter Brand joins us once more to explain the lives and roles of these children, how we know about them (or don't), what's up with those "Daughter Wives," and where all the 100+ children might be buried. Lees meer
Also, I read the entire list of children (all 100+) in their known order, from the monuments.
Prof. Peter Brand's book Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh is available now at all good retailers.
Music by Luke Chaos.
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Come visit the Great Pyramid! Tour to Egypt 2027 January Announcement
24 april 2026 · 9 min
It’s time, once again, to think about visiting Egypt. I just returned from a tour in March, taking a group through the Nile Valley, and we had a great time. Egypt is quite safe, and the sites are ready to receive you. If you’re in the mood for some antiquities, exploration, and time in the pharaonic past, consider joining me on my next tour. Lees meer
Dates: 24 January - 01 February 2027.
Special out-of-hours access to the GREAT PYRAMID of Khufu, with all three chambers to ourselves! Additional special permits for ABU RAWASH and the BLACK PYRAMID at Dahshur.
Booking page with itinerary & costs: Ancient World Tours https://www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/history-of-egypt-podcast-2027/. The password is SECRETS (all in capitals). The last few tours have all sold out, so get in quick!
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232: Real Housewives of Per-Ramesses (feat. Prof. Peter Brand)
20 april 2026 · 1 uur 26 min
Hybrid episode (narrative & interivew). The Hittite Queen, Maat-Hor-Neferura, may have been surprised to find she wasn't the only King's Great Wife. In fact, Ramesses had already turned to other women to be his Queens. Notably, his eldest daughter Bint-Anat ("Daughter of Anat") became King's Great Wife, along with several of her younger siblings. Why did Ramesses "marry" his own offspring, and what does that mean for the royal family? Lees meer
Also, we meet Ramesses' oft-forgotten sister, Tia.
In Part 2, we are joined by Prof. Peter Brand to discuss life in the pharaonic palaces. How did they organise their royal households, what terms survive to illuminate this world? And how can Egyptologists understand life in Ramesses' great family?
Music by Luke Chaos & Keith Zizza, used with permission.
Logo image: Bint-Anat as King's Great Wife, from Ramesses' colossal statue now in the Grand Egyptian Museum.
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231: The Hittite Queen of Egypt
13 april 2026 · 45 min
Married before first sight. In regnal year 34 (1259 BCE) Ramesses welcomed a princess of Hatti. Sent by her father Hattusili and mother Puduhepa, the (anonymous) princess came to Egypt and took up the rank of King's Great Wife. Today, she is known by her Egyptian name, MAAT-HOR-NEFERURA "She Who Sees Horus, the Perfection of Ra." This enigmatic woman sits at the centre of a fascinating letter archive and commemorative text. Ramesses celebrated his new bride in grand style... Lees meer
Music by Luke Chaos
Extended version of this episode available at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast
Sources
Beckman, G. (1999). Hittite Diplomatic Texts (2nd ed.).Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh.
Bryce, T. (2003). Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East: The Royal Correspondence of the Late Bronze Age. Archive.org.
Edel, E. (1994). Die ägyptisch-hethitische Korrespondenz aus Boghazköi in babylonischer und hethitischer Sprache I: Umschriften und Übersetzungen.
Fisher, M. M. (2013). A Diplomatic Marriage in the Ramesside Period: Maathorneferure, Daughter of the Great Ruler of Hatti. In B. J. Collins & P. Michalowski (Eds.), Beyond Hatti: A Tribute to Gary Beckman (pp. 75—119).
Jung, C. (2007). Rain in ancient Egypt: A linguistic approach. In H.-P. Wotzka, O. Bubenzer, M. Bollig, & R. Vogelsang (Eds.), Aridity, change and conflict in Africa (pp. 331–344). Available in Open Access pdf at Koeln.
Kitchen, K. A. (1975). Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical (Vol. 2).
Kitchen, K. A. (1996). Ramesside Inscriptions : Translations (Vol. 2).
Kitchen, K. A. (1999). Ramesside Inscriptions: Notes and Comments (Vol. 2).
Mieroop, M. van de. (2016). A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000-323 BC.
Polo, S. S. (2016, January 11). Inside One of Egypt’s Biggest Royal Weddings. National Geographic History.
Wong, J. (2020). Have you ever seen the rain? Comments on an underrepresented phenomenon. Nile Magazine, 28, 24—35. Available at Academia.edu.
Learn… -
Introducing Voices of Ancient Egypt with Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst
10 april 2026 · 27 min
New Egyptology podcast! Voices of Ancient Egypt is "the podcast for people who don’t just want to learn about ancient Egypt, but want to understand it at a deeper, more meaningful level. With a blend of solo deep-dives and conversations with experts and everyday Egyptophiles, this podcast brings ancient Egyptian history, beliefs, and language to life — and shows you how learning hieroglyphs is possible, no matter your age, background, or schedule. Whether you want to read hieroglyphs in museums, on social media, or on your next trip to Egypt, you’ll find the tools, stories, and encouragement to make it real." Lees meer
Voices of Ancient Egypt:
https://podcast.voicesofancientegypt.com/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1k1kqGenm15EJttupCKE4S
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-ancient-egypt/id1834639742
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Khaemwaset Forever with Dr. Campbell Price
23 maart 2026 · 57 min
Campbell Price is Curator of Egypt & Sudan at Manchester Museum. Enthusiasts will know him from the books Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries and Golden Mummies of Egypt. Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period. You may have seen or heard him on History Hit’s The Ancients, a variety of documentaries, and this podcast! Lees meer
Today, Campbell joins the show once more to talk about KHA-EM-WASET. The fourth son of Ramesses II, renowned priest and conservator of ancient monuments... and fairytale hero in later ages.
Campbell Price:
Academia.edu.
Liverpool University.
Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries (2025) via Egypt Exploration Society.
Golden Mummies of Egypt: Interpreting Identities from the
Graeco-Roman Period (2023) via Google Books.Dr. Price’s non-Egyptology reading recommendation: Lucy Fulford, The Exiled (2024) https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/lucy-fulford/the-exiled/9781399711210
Music by Keith Zizza, used with artist's permission.
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230: Khaemwaset & the Book of Thoth
16 maart 2026 · 35 min
The prince Kha-em-Waset (lived c.1260 BCE) was a learned man, and an accomplished priest. Centuries after his death, storytellers remembered the prince as a sage and magician. They told tales of his adventures, including one where Khaemwaset stole a magical book, belonging to the great god Djehuty/Thoth. In a tale of gothic horror, the prince must wrangle with the consequences of his greed... Lees meer
CONTENT WARNING: Story contains themes of suicide, murder, and sexual horror. Please listen with discretion.
Music: Matt Uelman, "Tristram;" Keith Zizza, "Dissatisfaction," "Memories of Thebes," and "Beloved of Ma'at;" Ray Noble & His Orchestra, "Midnight with the Stars and You (Instrumental);" TableTop Audio "The Mummy's Tomb."
Logo image: Statue of Khaemwaset from Asyut, now in British Museum (photo Dominic Perry); painting of Tabubue, by M. Lalau (1932).
The Tale of Khaemwaset and the Book of Thoth:
Griffith, F. L. (1900). Stories of the high priests of Memphis: The Sethon of Herodotus and the Demotic tales of Khamuas. Available at Internet Archive.
Lichtheim, M. (1980). Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume III: The Late Period, 125—151.
Ritner, R. K. (2003b). The Romance of Setna Khaemuas and the Mummies (Setna I). In W. K. Simpson (Ed.), The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry (3rd ed., pp. 453--469).
Vinson, S. (2018). The Craft of a Good scribe: History, Narrative and Meaning in the First tale of Setne Khaemwas.
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229: The First Egyptologist? Khaemwaset & the Apis Bulls
9 maart 2026 · 24 min
In 1263 BCE, priests announced the death of the APIS BULL. Sacred to Ptah, the bull dwelled in the temple at Men-nefer (Memphis). Now, in year 30 of Ramesses II, the King's son KHA-EM-WASET would lead the funerary processions. Lees meer
Shortly after, the prince inaugurated the first phase of a now famous monument. The Lesser Vaults of the SERAPEUM begin to take shape. The prince also starts a project for which he is renowned: the preservation and restoration of old monuments. These acts have earned him the moniker "the first Egyptologist."
Music: Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net, used with artist's permission.
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228: Three Funerals & a Sed Festival
2 maart 2026 · 31 min
Loss and rejuvenation. Ramesses third decade in power was a time of death. The King's Great Wife Nefertari passed around year 25. Almost simultaneously, his mother Tuya, his second wife Iset-Nofret, and his eldest son Amun-her-khopeshef all passed to the west. We meet these figures, explore their tombs (including the amazing KV5), and trace their surprising legacies. Then, we recount the big event: in Year 30, Ramesses celebrated the first of his jubilees. A magnificent Sed Festival took place in Memphis... Lees meer
Logo image: gold bead of Iset-Nofret (Metropolitan Museum of Art, public domain).
Music by Keith Zizza https://www.keithzizza.net/, used with artist's permission.
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227: The One Where Iset Poisons Ra
16 februari 2026 · 34 min
What is the true name of god? Once upon a time, Ra ruled the earth directly. But the great goddess Iset/Isis desired to know his private name, the one hidden from all outsiders. A name that, if known, would grant the knower magical power over the sun god. To gain the knowledge she desired, Iset concocted a daring plan... Lees meer
The Story of Iset and the Secret Name of Ra
University College London. Isis and the Name of Ra. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt//literature/isisandra.html
Hieroglyph version: Museo Egizio Turin. Papyrus Turin 1993. https://collezionepapiri.museoegizio.it/en-GB/document/185/ (recto).
Borghouts, J. F. (1978). Ancient Egyptian Magical Texts, pp. 51—55.
Ritner, R. K. (2003). The Legend of Isis and the Name of Re (P. Turin 1993). In W. W. Hallo & K. L. Younger (Eds.), The Context of Scripture (pp. 33--34).
Rowe, A. (1996). The Secret Name of Ra.
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226: Nefertari's Tomb and Book of the Dead
9 februari 2026 · 28 min
The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the masterpieces of New Kingdom funerary monuments. The tomb is stunningly preserved, with an array of exquisite images, evocative texts (from the Book of the Dead), and traces of her burial goods. In this episode we explore the sepulchre, its decoration, and its conservation in the modern era. Lees meer
Music: Ihab Mahna and Luke Chaos.
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225: Nefertari, Queen of Egypt
2 februari 2026 · 50 min
The rise and reign of Nefertari (Nefret-Iry, "She Has Become Beautiful"). A girl of unknown origins (but some tantalising possibilites) who would rise to the rank of King's Chief/Great Wife. Nefertari is world-famous, especially for her monuments. But the Queen herself is remarkably shadowy. We go in search of her tale... Lees meer
Music: Ancient Lyric (intro) & Keith Zizza (outro).
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Dinosaurs of Egypt (2026 Revised Edition)
12 januari 2026 · 31 min
In the Cretaceous Period (c.100 million years ago) Egypt and North Africa were radically different environments. With vast tidal flats and mangroves, and a shallow sea, the continent fostered numerous animal and plant species. Creatures like Paralititan (sauropods); the sprinting Deltadromeus; the infamous Spinosaurus; and the newcomer Tameryraptor. These have been preserved in the fossil record from Egypt and other countries in North Africa. Today, we meet some of the inhabitants of this ancient landscape… Lees meer
Logo image: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, by Paleogeeksquared, via Wikimedia.
Animals mentioned in this episode:
Paralititan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralititan
Deltadromeus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltadromeus
Mawsonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawsonia_(fish)
Leptostomia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptostomia
Spinosaurus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosaurus
Tameryraptor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tameryraptor
Select references:
Dal Sasso, C., Maganuco, S., & Iurino, D. (2014). Update on the internal structure of the snout of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. Second North African Vertebrate Palaeontology Congress, Ouarzazate.
Darwish, M. H., & Attia, Y. (2007). Plant impressions from the mangrove-dinosaur Unit of the Upper Cretaceous Bahariya Formation of Egypt. Taeckholmia, 27, 105--125.
Hone, D., & Holtz Jr, T. R. (2021). Evaluating the ecology of Spinosaurus: Shoreline generalist or aquatic pursuit specialist? Palaeontologia Electronica, 24(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.26879/1110
Hone, D., & Witton, M. P. (2025). Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs.
Ibrahim, N., Sereno, P. C., Dal Sasso, C., Maganuco, S., Fabbri, M., Martill, D. M., Zouhri, S., Myhrvold, N., & Iurino, D. A. (2014). Semiaquatic adaptations in a giant predatory dinosaur. Science, 345(6204), 1613--1616. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1258750
Roach, J. (2001, May 31). “Tidal Giant” Roamed Coastal Swamps of Ancient Africa. National Geograp…
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The Grand Egyptian Museum is Open! Now what?
27 december 2025 · 17 min
In this mini episode, I explain the history and significance of the new complex (why does Egypt need a billion-dollar museum?) and discuss what will happen to Cairo's other major institutions. Lees meer
We also have an episode about the lesser-known "gems" of the GEM. See that and the video version of this episode at my YouTube channel: Dominic Perry Ancient Egypt https://www.youtube.com/@dominicperryae
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Egyptology News: The GEM is Open (and New Discoveries)
26 december 2025 · 20 min
The winter 2025/26 excavation season is underway, and lots of news is coming forth already. Let's explore the major finds! Lees meer
Chapters:
The GEM is open 00:30.
Scans at Menkaura's pyramid: 04:12.
Discovery at Tanis: 07:31.
Alexandria ship: 08:49.
Amarna Plague? 10:39.
Thera Tempest? 12:41.
Karnak Re-Dated: 14:43.
New Temple Discovery: 16:05.
Sources:
Menkaura pyramid scans: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096386952500012X
Tanis discovery: https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/557221/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/-royal-ushabti-figurines-unearthed-in-Nile-Delta-T.aspx
Alexandria ship:
https://www.franckgoddio.org/shipwreck-k1/Amarna plague:
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/736705Thera Eruption and Tempest Stela:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0330702Karnak re-dated:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/conceptual-origins-and-geomorphic-evolution-of-the-temple-of-amunra-at-karnak-luxor-egypt/12B8A406D84C46F89CDDD7A3DCDF297DNiuserra Valley Temple:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/558520.aspx
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224: Ozymandias (or, Shadow of the Colossus)
12 december 2025 · 37 min
Divine intermediaries. Ramesses II commissioned many statues, some of which are among the largest ever quarried. From the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, to the bedrock of Aswan, we follow the King's development of a remarkable project. Colossal statues of the king, bearing distinct names and even their own priests, provided Ramesses' subjects with new intercessors between their world and the gods... Lees meer
Select Bibliography:
Amer, A. A. M. A. (1996). Some Observations on the Statue-Cults of Ramesses II. Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities, 26, 1--7.
Connor, S. (2017). La statua di Ramesses II.
Connor, S. (2022). Ancient Egyptian Statues: Their Many Lives and Deaths. American University in Cairo Press.
Habachi, L. (1969). Features of the Deification of Ramesses II. Augustin.
Leblanc, C. (2019). Ramsès II et le Ramesseum: De la splendeur au déclin d’un temple de millions d’années. L’Harmattan.
Price, C. (2011). Ramesses, “King of Kings”: On the Context and Interpretation of Royal Colossi. In M. Collier & S. Snape (Eds.), Ramesside Studies in Honour of K. A. Kitchen (pp. 403--411). Rutherford.
Price, C. (2024). A Stela of Mery-Re, Chief of Works of (the Cult Colossus) Re-of-Rulers. In A. Cooke, S. Thomas, P. Wilson, N. Nielsen, & G. Godenho (Eds.), Landscapes: Studies in Honour of Steven Snape (pp. 247--254). Abercromby Press.
Sourouzian, H. (1988). Standing Royal Colossi of the Middle Kingdom Reused by Ramesses II. Mitteilungen Des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo, 44, 229--254.
Thomas, S. (2022). Ramesses Loved by Ptah: The Complete History of a Colossal Royal Statue. The American University in Cairo Press.
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223: Ramesses & Hattusili Best Friends Forever
5 december 2025 · 35 min
Egyptian-Hittite Diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Treaty, Ramesses II and Hattusili III got down to business establishing their brotherhood. From prospective summits in Canaan, to fabulous gift-exchanges by Nefertari and a prince, the Egyptian and Hittite courts negotiated their new bonds. Alas, things weren't always rosy, and the issue of Urhi-Teshub caused great friction between the two Kings. Finally, we meet the man who shuttled back-and-forth between these kingdoms, delivering the goods: the Egyptian royal messenger Netjerwymes aka Pirikhnawa gets a look in... Lees meer
Music: Luke Chaos.
Select Bibliography:
Beckman, G. (1999). Hittite Diplomatic Texts (2nd ed.). Society of Biblical Literature.
Bryce, T. (2003). Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East: The Royal Correspondence of the Late Bronze Age. Routledge. https://ia802908.us.archive.org/14/items/LettersOfTheGreatKingsOfTheAncientNearEastTrevorBryce2003/Letters%20of%20the%20Great%20Kings%20of%20the%20Ancient%20Near%20East%20-%20Trevor%20Bryce%202003.pdf
Edel, E. (1994). Die ägyptisch-hethitische Korrespondenz aus Boghazköi in babylonischer und hethitischer Sprache I: Umschriften und Übersetzungen. Westdeutscher Verlag.
Franzmeier, H. (2024). Netjerwymes alias Parekhnu in Piramesses. In A. Cooke, N. Nielsen, & G. Godenho (Eds.), Landscapes: Studies in Honour of Steven Snape (pp. 91--98). Abercromby Press.
Liverani, M. (1990). Prestige and Interest: International Relations in the Ancient Near East ca. 1600-1100 B.C. Sargon.
Warburton, D. (2003). Love and War in the Late Bronze Age: Egypt and Hatti. In R. Matthews & C. Roemer (Eds.), Ancient Perspectives on Egypt (pp. 75--100). UCL Press.
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Ramesses II War and Peace with Prof. Peter Brand
21 november 2025 · 52 min
The ultimate pharaoh makes the ultimate agreement. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand offers us his insights on the cultures of Egypt and Hatti around the time of the Year 21 Treaty. From the background details of diplomatic correspondence, to the larger context of empires at war, we deep-dive the history of this important treaty. Lees meer
Learn more about Prof. Peter Brand's work at https://memphis.academia.edu/PeterBrand.
Find Prof. Brand's book Ramesses II, Egypt's UIltimate Pharaoh via Lockwood Press and all good retailers.
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222: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty
14 november 2025 · 36 min
The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty. In regnal year 21 (c.1272 BCE), Ramesses II announced a treaty with Hattusili III. The two kings united in "peace and brotherhood, forever," and agreed to a raft of provisions regarding their territories, vassals, rules-of-succession, and more. Lees meer
As the first (surviving) treaty between the two Great Powers, the year 21 agreement is a landmark in the history of diplomacy. We explore the text and its impact...
Music: Luke Chaos.
Select References:
Altman, A. (2004). The Historical Prologue of the Hittite Vassal Treaties. Bar-Ilan University Press.
Beckman, G. (1999). Hittite Diplomatic Texts (2nd ed.). Society of Biblical Literature.
Bryce, T. (2006). The ‘Eternal Treaty’ from the Hittite Perspective. British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan, 6, 1--11. https://britishmuseum.iro.bl.uk/concern/generic_works/df640471-59dc-446d-8c35-0ba6db52bf19
Davis, D. (1990). An Early Treaty of Friendship Between Egypt and Hatti. The Bulletin of the Australian Centre for Egyptology, 1, 31--37.
Devecchi, E. (2015). Missing Treaties of the Hittites. Kaskal, 12, 155--182.
Edel, E. (1994). Die ägyptisch-hethitische Korrespondenz aus Boghazköi in babylonischer und hethitischer Sprache I: Umschriften und Übersetzungen. Westdeutscher Verlag.
Franzmeier, H. (2024). Netjerwymes alias Parekhnu in Piramesses. In A. Cooke, N. Nielsen, & G. Godenho (Eds.), Landscapes: Studies in Honour of Steven Snape (pp. 91--98). Abercromby Press.
Goodwin, C. W. (1875). Treaty of Peace Between Rameses II and the Hittites. Records of the Past, 4, 25--32.
Istanbul Archaeological Museum. (2017, June 25). TREATY OF KADESH. Istanbul Archaeological Museum. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625213912/http://www.istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr/web/30-125-1-1/muze_-_en/collections/ancient_orient_museum_artifacts/treaty_of_kadesh
Kitchen, K. A., & Paul, J. N. (2012). Treaty, Law and Covenant in the Ancient Near East. Harrassowitz Verlag.
Klengel, H. (2002). Hattuschili und Ramses…
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221: Ramesses II Raiders of Syria
7 november 2025 · 27 min
The later wars of Ramesses II (Years 8 to 15). Following Kadesh, Ramesses led or despatched further campaigns into Canaan and Syria. These battles are documented on his temple walls, preserving some details of the geopolitical situation. From the death of a rival, to the plundering of Syria's heartland, we go in search of these "lost campaigns." Lees meer
Music: Ancient Lyric and Luke Chaos.
Logo image: Ramesses II attacks Dapur (Wikimedia public domain).
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220: Ramesses II Dead Sea to Galilee
31 oktober 2025 · 25 min
Moves and counter-moves. In the aftermath of Kadesh, Muwattalli (King of Hatti) seems to consoldiated hold over Syria. Border territories like Amurru fell to Hittite influence. At home, Ramesses spent at least one year regrouping before launching his reponse. Soon, pharaonic armies were marching into northern Canaan (around Galilee) and east, into Moab (Mwibw). The pharaoh's imperial authority had taken a beating; it was time to assert his strength. Lees meer
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 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU.
We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ .
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219: Abu Simbel, Ramesses' Great Temple
17 oktober 2025 · 46 min
Holy mountain. Around 1286 BCE, builders started work at Abu Simbel. Sacred to a local form of Horus, this sandstone mountain would become one of the most famous monuments in the Nile Valley. It was called the “House of Ramesses, Beloved of Amun,” and provided a home for dozens of deities. Within, sunlight illuminated its sanctuary on certain days, and the King could honour himself in a “Temple of Millions of Years.” Thanks to some lesser-known records, we explore the function and creation of this renowned shrine, and try to answer some nagging questions... Lees meer
I’ll do a Livestream about Abu Simbel soon. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn more https://www.youtube.com/@dominicperryae
Epilogue: Around 593 BCE, soldiers of Psamtik II (or Psammetichus) marched to war in Nubia. Along the way, they visited Abu Simbel...
Music by Luke Chaos.
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218: Give Me Back My Donkey! and Other Tales
10 oktober 2025 · 30 min
Daily Life in Ramessid Egypt (Part 1). Starting around 1300 BCE, the (surviving) corpus of written documents from Egypt begins to increase dramatically. It's not clear why, but papyrus and ostraca are far more abundant for this era than anything before. Thanks to these records, we get many glimpses of daily life and personal concerns, from the society of the time; and we can enjoy some Small Stories of life in Ramessid Egypt. Lees meer
Logo image: Dancers and musicians from the 18th Dynasty tomb of Neb-Amun, now in the British Museum (via Wikimedia Commons public domain). The dancers wear "string" garments that may be the ruwedj referenced by Ise in her letter to her sister.
The History of Egypt Podcast:
Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
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217: The Art of Kadesh
3 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
Our final part of the Kadesh story is Ramesses' art. Wall carvings, on major temples, present the pharaohs' summary of Kadesh and the conflict. They include many fun details, including enemy combatants, and comparing some scenes with artefacts allows us to imagine aspects of the ancient battle. Lees meer
Video version available on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@dominicperryae under "Live." Direct link here https://youtube.com/live/mos4jf6oVbk.
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Ancient Historical Fiction with Dr. Colleen Darnell
26 september 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
My guest today is Dr. Colleen Darnell, who will speak to us about New Kingdom literature (featuring rulers like Ramesses, Thutmose III, Seqenenra, and more). It’s a fun discussion, ranging from the calamitous death of Seqenenra Tao, to the triumphs of Thutmose III and Ramesses II, to the divine glamour of chariots, and how pharaohs became literary "heroes." Lees meer
Dr. Colleen Darnell's website: https://www.colleendarnell.com/
Online classes about ancient Egyptian history and culture: https://www.colleendarnell.com/classes
Dr. Colleen Darnell at Academia.edu: https://yale.academia.edu/ColleenManassaDarnell
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Kadesh, the 80's Rock Musical
19 september 2025 · 4 min
Heavy Metal Hittites. This is a preview of my "rock musical" version of Kadesh. Full version available at patreon.com/c/egyptpodcast. Lees meer
Song produced by Hermanubis (aka Luke Chaos https://chaosmusick.bandcamp.com/).
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216:The Kadesh Poem
12 september 2025 · 36 min
The war of the words. Following his strategic defeat at Kadesh, Ramesses set about putting his version of the story into wide circulation. Today, art and texts of this conflict survive at the temples of Abu Simbel, Karnak, Luxor, Abydos, and the Ramesseum. Among those texts, we have the “Literary Record” or “Kadesh Poem.” A lengthy, dramatised version of the events, painting Ramesses as the great hero. In this episode, I introduce the Literary Record and then read it in full, with musical accompaniment by Jeffrey Goodman. Lees meer
LIVESTREAM about "The Art of Kadesh" on Sunday 14 September. To join, simply subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist. The Livestream will be Sunday September 14 at 16:30 (UK time). This translates to:
Berlin, Germany Sun, 14 Sep 2025 at 17:30 CEST
London, United Kingdom Sun, 14 Sep 2025 at 16:30 BST
New York, USA Sun, 14 Sep 2025 at 11:30 EDT
Los Angeles, USA Sun, 14 Sep 2025 at 08:30 PDT
Check other timezones here https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html?iso=20250914T153000&p1=37&p2=136&p3=179&p4=137
To learn more about the “Battle of Kadesh” narrative as a piece of literary/historical storytelling, see:
Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh. Lockwood Press. https://www.lockwoodpress.com/product-page/ramesses-ii-egypt-s-ultimate-pharaoh-paper
Manassa, C. (2013). Imagining the Past: Historical Fiction in New Kingdom Egypt. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199982226.003.0003
Spalinger, A. J. (2021). The Books Behind the Masks: Sources of Warfare Leadership in Ancient Egypt. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004466111
More music by Jeffrey Goodman www.jeffreygoodman.com and on Spotify.
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Kadesh: What Was It Good For? with Prof. Peter Brand
5 september 2025 · 1 uur 36 min
Why is the Battle of Kadesh so famous, compared to other ancient conflicts? What can we take away from Ramesses' account in terms of "truth" vs "rhetoric." And what did it all up to, really? Prof. Peter Brand returns to discuss the battle in great detail, from the blow-by-blow moments to the larger strategic and political context. Along the way, we learn why Ramesses is like Rambo, and take a whimsical visit to medieval Bohemia... Lees meer
I'll be doing a livestream about the "Art of Kadesh" on Sun 07 September (UK time). See it at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist
Prof. Peter Brand’s book Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh is available now through Lockwood Press and all good retailers.
Other articles and publications by Prof. Peter Brand at Academia.edu.
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215: Ramesses II Battlefield Surgery
29 augustus 2025 · 46 min
Who won? In the aftermath of battle, Ramesses and Muwattalli withdrew from Kadesh. We discuss the short- and long-term fallout and consider the "score card" for the respective armies. Then, we spend time with the wounded soldiers, using the Edwin Smith Papyrus to understand diagnoses and treatments used by ancient Egyptian physicians (swnw). Finally, we explore a curious hypothesis, suggesting that Ramesses practiced a form of "decimation" on his troops... Lees meer
Kadesh LIVESTREAM Sunday 07 September (UK time) on “The Art of Kadesh” via our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist
Want more medicine? My interview with Dr. Bob Brier is available at https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mOg7BanFze6F4DYbSWT4K and my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/h8I6M7-czYA
The Edwin Smith Papyrus: Breasted, J. H. (1930). The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus (Vols. 1–2) free online: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015027232282; For a modern medical approach, see Sanchez, G. M., & Meltzer, E. S. (2012). The Edwin Smith Papyrus: Updated Translation of the Trauma Treatise and Modern Medical Commentaries.
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214: The Battle of Kadesh, Ramesses II vs the Hittites
15 augustus 2025 · 2 uur 4 min
In June of 1287 BCE (approximately), one of antiquity’s great conflicts unfolded in southern Syria. Meeting near Kadesh (Qidsha), the armies of Egypt and Hatti fought each other in a spectacular engagement. The events of that battle are recorded, somewhat grandiosely, by Ramesses II in temple art and extended hieroglyph narratives. With those as our foundation, we explore the most dramatic day in the young pharaoh’s life. Lees meer
CHAPTERS (Note: Chapter times may differ slightly depending on ads)
Prologue 0:00
Red Dawn 5:56
Sekhet Pay 23:57
Twisted Metal 45:10
Doubling Down 1:05:49
White, Red, Black 1:26:12
Wrapping Up 1:53:04
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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 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU.
We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/
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213: Ramesses II Seven Nation Army
8 augustus 2025 · 50 min
Ramesses, Muwattalli, and the Trojans(?). In June of 1287 BCE, the Great Kings of Hatti and Egypt were on the verge of a major confrontation. Ramesses, marching across Sinai and into Canaan, made careful preparations for his assault on Kadesh. Alas, even the best-planned campaign could not be hidden from a watchful enemy. In Hatti, Muwattalli II sent calls to his vassals, summoning them to fight. The Hittite army, and its allies, is a remarkably well-documented force... Lees meer
For the Kikkuli Text of horse training, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kikkuli
and https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/orbis:9782188.
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