The History of Egypt Podcast

Dominic Perry

Ancient Egypt, from Creation to Cleopatra. This podcast tells the story of ancient Egypt, "in their own words." Using texts, art, and archaeology, we uncover the world of the Nile Valley and its people. Website www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com Email egyptpodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on the Airwave Media Network. read less
HistoryHistory

Episodes

Interview: God's Wives, King's Daughters - The Princesses of Amarna with Courtney Marx and ARCE
01-04-2024
Interview: God's Wives, King's Daughters - The Princesses of Amarna with Courtney Marx and ARCE
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. Logo image: Block fragment showing two Amarna princesses (Metropolitan Museum of Art 1985.328.6). Photo by Courtney Marx. Further reading (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
192b: Seth's Lore
13-02-2024
192b: Seth's Lore
Warrior, protector, murderer. By 1300 BCE, the Egyptian god Seth had become a complex and multi-faceted deity. Chaotic and destructive, but not "evil," Seth played an important role in the gods' realm and our own. This legend developed and evolved over centuries, from the earliest religious literature to the imperial age. In this episode, we explore Seth's role, appearances, and descriptions in the Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, Book of the Dead, Amduat, and Book of Gates. And we try to get to grips with a god who was (quite literally) two-faced... Episode details: Date: c. 2400 - 1300 BCE (Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms up to the reign of Sety I). Music intro and outro by Michael Levy. Music interludes by Luke Chaos and Keith Zizza. Logo image: The hybrid deity Herfy ("Two-Face"), combining the powers of Horus and Seth. Hour 10 of the Book of Gates, from the tomb of Tausret in the Valley of the Kings (Line drawing by Dominic Perry, based on photo by Erik Hornung). General studies: Erik Hornung, The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Afterlife (1999) at Internet Archive. John Darnell and Colleen Manassa Darnell, The Ancient Egyptian Netherworld Books at JSTOR.org and the Society of Biblical Literature. Pyramid Texts in English translation and Egyptian hieroglyphs (Pyramid Texts Online by Vincent Brown). Coffin Texts in English translation by Raymond Faulkner (1973—1978): Volume I, Volume III. I have been unable to find a copy of Volume II online; if you are aware of one, please let me know. Egyptian Hieroglyphs available in Open Access via the University of Chicago. Book of the Dead in English translation by Raymond Faulkner (1982 edition) at Internet Archive. Edited volume of scholarly articles available at The University of Chicago (2017, edited by Foy Scalf). Additional English translation, transliteration, and commentary by Stephen Quirke (2013). The Amduat (Book of the Hidden Chamber) in English translation, transliteration, and Egyptian hieroglyphs by Erik Hornung (2007). The Book of Gates in English translation, transliteration, and Egyptian hieroglyphs by Erik Hornung (2013). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A New Royal Tomb? Egyptology News (2023 End-of-Year Summary)
16-01-2024
A New Royal Tomb? Egyptology News (2023 End-of-Year Summary)
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… Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. References and images for all episodes at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Chat with ancient Egypt enthusiasts at our Discord. Logo image: Statue discovered at Saqqara, 2023. Discoveries and Reports (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
Mini: 30 Years of Khufu? New Evidence from the Great Pyramid
23-12-2023
Mini: 30 Years of Khufu? New Evidence from the Great Pyramid
How archaeology can increase your life expectancy by 40%! For centuries, popular perceptions of the Great Pyramid’s construction have hinged on Herodotos reference to “twenty years.” While historians have debated that, hard evidence on the reign of Khufu (and its length) has always been fragmentary. In the past ten years, though, things have changed substantially. We now have strong evidence that Khufu reigned much longer than the “twenty years” story. This fundamentally changes our understanding of the period, and the Great Pyramid project… More information: Episode image: Khufu, small ivory statuette from Abydos (Egyptian Exploration Society archives). The Memorial/Mortuary Temple of Khufu at Wikimedia Commons. New blocks from the Khufu Memorial Temple: Hawass, Lehner, and Jones, ‘The Great Pyramid Temple Project’, AERAGram 21 (2020), 10—17 (free download). Decorated blocks of Khufu, reused in later pyramids: Goedicke 1971, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (free download). M. Lehner and Z. A. Hawass, Giza and the Pyramids (2017). F. Monnier and D. Lightbody, The Great Pyramid 2590 BC Onwards: Operations Manual (2019). P. Tallet and M. Lehner, The Red Sea Scrolls: How Ancient Papyri Reveal the Secrets of the Pyramids (2021). M. Verner, The Pyramids: The Archaeology and History of Egypt’s Iconic Monuments (2020). Support the History of Egypt Podcast at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mini: The Mystery & Treasures of Hetep-Heres
13-12-2023
Mini: The Mystery & Treasures of Hetep-Heres
A crime scene with no crime? In 1925, archaeologists working at Giza uncovered a remarkable monument. The tomb chamber of Queen Hetep-Heres (c.2630-2580 BCE) contained a wealth of beautiful, high-quality items. But the monument itself was strange, the excavation was a serious challenge, and the results were baffling in many ways. In this episode, we explore the discovery, revelation, the life, and the legacy of Queen Hetep-Heres... Extended version of this episode and digital booklet available at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. The Tomb of Queen Hetep-Heres: Digital Giza http://giza.fas.harvard.edu/sites/1509/full/. G. A. Reisner and W. S. Smith, A History of the Giza Necropolis Volume II: The Tomb of Hetep-Heres the Mother of Cheops (1955). Available online. M. Lehner, The Pyramid Tomb of Hetep-Heres and the Satellite Pyramid of Khufu (1985). Available online. The treasures of Hetep-Heres: Ancient objects at Digital Giza. Furniture of Hetep-Heres in the Cairo Museum at Wikimedia. Exact replicas at Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Modern reconstruction and replica of a throne at Harvard University. The bracelets of Hetep-Heres – Aegean silver? SCIMEX, ‘Queen Hetepheres’ bracelets reveal new information on trade networks in Old Kingdom Egypt, c 2600 BC’, Scimex, Available online. See also K. Sowada et al., ‘Analyses of Queen Hetepheres’ bracelets from her celebrated tomb in Giza reveals new information on silver, metallurgy and trade in Old Kingdom Egypt, c. 2600 BC’, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 49 (2023), 1—9. Available online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Total War: Pharaoh - Kurunta & Suppiluliuma, Lords of the Hittites
25-10-2023
Total War: Pharaoh - Kurunta & Suppiluliuma, Lords of the Hittites
The Opportunist and the Last of His Kind. In the Late Bronze Age, there were few kingdoms as mighty as Hatti. Their Great Kings, like SUPPILULIUMA and KURUNTA, were a significant force in Anatolia and the Near East. But around 1200 BCE, their royal house was divided. And the Hittites suffered greatly in the Late Bronze Age Collapse. In Total War: Pharaoh, you must reunify the highlands, guard the lowlands, and weather the coming storm… Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. See the History of Egypt Podcast on all podcasting apps and at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Select references: M. Alparslan and M. Dogan-Alparslan, ‘The Hittites and their Geography: Problems of Hittite Historical Geography’, European Journal of Archaeology 18 (2015), 90—110. R. H. Beal, ‘Kurunta of Tarḫuntašša and the Imperial Hittite Mausoleum: A New Interpretation of §10 of the Bronze Tablet’, Anatolian Studies 43 (1993), 29—39. G. Beckman, Hittite Diplomatic Texts (1996). T. Bryce, The Kingdom of the Hittites (New edn, 2005). T. R. Bryce, Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites (2019). H. G. Güterbock, ‘The Deeds of Suppiluliuma as Told by His Son, Mursili II’, Journal of Cuneiform Studies 10 (1956), 41--68, 75--98, 107—130. T. P. J. van den Hout, ‘A Chronology of the Tarhuntassa-Treaties’, Journal of Cuneiform Studies 41 (1989), 100—114. V. Koros̆ec, ‘The Warfare of the Hittites: From the Legal Point of View’, Iraq 25 (1963), 159—66. S. Langdon and A. H. Gardiner, ‘The Treaty of Alliance between Ḫattušili, King of the Hittites, and the Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 6 (1920), 179–205. J. Lorenz and I. Schrakamp, ‘Hittite Military and Warfare’, in H. Genz and D. P. Mielke (eds), Insights to Hittite History and Archaeology, Colloquia Antiqua 2 (2011), 125—151. D. D. Luckenbill, ‘Hittite Treaties and Letters’, The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures 37 (1921), 161—211. S. W. Manning et al., ‘Severe Multi-Year Drought Coincident with Hittite Collapse Around 1198–1196 BC’, Nature 614 (2023), 719—724. A. Matessi, ‘The Making of Hittite Imperial Landscapes: Territoriality and Balance of Power in South-Central Anatolia during the Late Bronze Age’, Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History 3 (2016), 117—162. R. Meri̇ç, ‘The Arzawa Lands. The Historical Geography of Izmir and Its Environs During Late Bronze Age in the Light of New Archaeological Research’, Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi (2020), 151—177. C. Mora and G. Torri (eds), Administrative Practices and Political Control in Anatolian and Syro-Anatolian Polities in the 2nd and 1st Millennium BCE (2023). I. Singer, Hittite Prayers (2002). A. Spalinger, ‘Egyptian-Hittite Relations at the Close of the Amarna Period and Some Notes on Hittite Military Strategy in North Syria’, Bulletin of the Egyptological Seminar 1 (1979), 55–89. J. Sturm, La guerre de Ramsès II contre les Hittites (1996). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices