Show overview
The History of Egypt Podcast has been publishing since 2012, and across the 14 years since has built a catalogue of 422 episodes. That works out to roughly 300 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 27 min and 50 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language History show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 22 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 50 episodes published. Published by Dominic Perry.
From the publisher
Ancient Egypt, from Creation to Cleopatra. This podcast tells the story of pharaonic Egypt "in their own words." Using archaeology, ancient texts, and up-to-date scholarship, we uncover the world of the Nile Valley and its people. Hosted on the Airwave Media Network.
Latest Episodes
View all 422 episodesRamesses Eternal with Prof. Peter Brand
236: Legends of Ramesses "the Great"
235: Ramesses the Great God
234: Destroying Amarna / Splitting Heirs
233: Friendship in Dark Times (The Bronze Age Collapse Begins?)
The 100 Children of Ramesses II with Prof. Peter Brand
Come visit the Great Pyramid! Tour to Egypt 2027 January Announcement
232: Real Housewives of Per-Ramesses with Prof. Peter Brand
231: The Hittite Queen of Egypt
Introducing Voices of Ancient Egypt with Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst
The Grand Egyptian Museum is Open... Now What?
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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Khaemwaset Forever with Dr. Campbell Price
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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing Lost Roman Heroes (Feed Swap)
This week we’re sharing a special episode from Lost Roman Heroes, recently named a “must-listen history podcast” by Amazon Music and named one of the "Best Ancient History Podcasts" in Find that Pod! Hosted by Matteo and Matthew Storm, a father-son duo, Lost Roman Heroes brings to life the forgotten figures who helped shape ancient Rome—rebels, generals, philosophers, and outcasts. Each episode blends narrative, analysis, and just enough humor to make these stories feel vivid, human, and surprisingly relevant. Like today’s episode – where we’re sharing one of their favorite lost Roman characters – Belisarius. Part 1 of a multipart series, we’ll hear why this guy is a one-named mystery, worshipped in the ancient world, but forgotten today. When you meet Belisarius in this episode, he is not yet the legend he becomes. He’s simply a Thracian boy that makes his way to Constantinople, enters Justinian’s bodyguard and in a heartbeat is a 28 year old Magister Militum Per Orientem, leading an invasion fleet to Carthage, to punish the Vandals for their mortal insult to Roman honor. For more episodes like this, and to hear the rest of the series on Belisarius, make sure to follow Lost Roman Heroes, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And tell them we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
230: Khaemwaset & the Book of Thoth
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... 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
229: The First Egyptologist? Khaemwaset & the Apis Bulls
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. 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." Logo: Statue of Khaemwaset from Asyut, now in the British Museum (Photo Dominic Perry). Music: Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net, used with artist's permission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
228: Three Funerals & a Sed Festival
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... 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
227: The One Where Iset Poisons Ra
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... 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
226: Nefertari's Tomb and Book of the Dead
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. Music: Ihab Mahna and Luke Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
225: Nefertari Beloved of Mut
Around 1300 BCE, King Sety I selected a group of "beauties" for his son, to marry and produce children. One of these was 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... Music: Ancient Lyric (intro) & Keith Zizza (outro). Logo image: Nefertari and Ise/Isis, from the Queen's tomb QV66. Photo by Edward Hutt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Abu Simbel: Nefertari's Temple & Ramesses' Nubian Empire
Livestream recording about the Abu Simbel Temples, with a particular focus on Nefertari's monument (Part 1) and the political-religious context of Ramesses' Nubian monuments (Part 2). We also have a fun epilogue about some Greek mercenaries... Video versions available on the History of Egypt Podcast YouTube channel. Part 1 (Nefertari) https://youtu.be/B5FLkAtPpdM Part 2 (Religious/Political Context) https://youtu.be/D7ZTYFOtrA4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices