The History of Egypt Podcast

Delta raiders. Decades before their famous migrations, the "Sea Peoples" were already active and visible in the eastern Mediterranean; and Ramesses II had his own dealings with these groups. In year 2 of his reign, Ramesses II (Usir-Ma'at-Ra) dealt with a coastal raid by the Sherden, who came from the "islands in the midst" of the sea (which the Egyptians called the "Great Green"). The battle, and its aftermath, is referenced in several of Ramesses' inscriptions. We explore this curious first chapter in the Sea Peoples' story... Music: Michael Levy "Odysseus and the Sirens” www.ancientlyre.com 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new royal tomb, and how two 18th Dynasty rulers defined the "New Kingdom" as we know it. Prof. Aidan Dodson is a dedicated and prolific scholar, whose research covers many facets of ancient Egyptian history (and even WW1 warships!) His latest book, Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: Pharaohs of Egypt - Their Lives and Afterlives looks at how these two monarchs, and their followers, defined many of the aspects of "pharaonic culture" as we imagine it. Along the way, we also discuss the new royal tomb, its significance, and its connection to these famous figures. Prof. Aidan Dodson at Academia.edu and the University of Bristol. Book: Thutmose III and Hatshepsut, Pharaohs of Egypt at AUC Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A death at Karnak, and a lion amongst men. In regnal year 1 (c.1292 BCE), Ramesses II was at Abdju / Abydos. While there, he appointed a new First Priest of Amun (Hem Netjer Tepy en Imen). He chose his candidate by consulting the deity directly, engaging in an oracle with Amun to choose the best option. Shortly after, Ramesses departed Abdju and continued his northward journey. Eventually, he came to Giza, home of the Great Sphinx and the deity that inhabited it... 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. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://thehistoryofegyptpodcast.dashery.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ramesses had a lot to plan for, in his first year of rule (c.1292 BCE). Staying in Waset / Luxor, the new pharaoh began building work on his tomb (KV7) and his memorial temple (The Ramesseum). Archaeological records testify to both of these projects. Then, the King immortalised his late father, the Osiris Sety I, in scenes of worship at Karnak. Finally, Ramesses left Waset, heading north; but he stopped at Abdju / Abydos on his way. There to commune with Osiris (Sety) once more, and to address some glaring issues... Chapters: 00:00 Building KV7 and the Ramesseum 04:55 Ramesses celebrates the Opet Festival 12:15 Ramesses honours Sety at Karnak 17:32 Ramesses at Abydos and the "Great Abydos Dedication" text 39:18 Summary and Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the annals of Egyptian history there is no one quite like Ramesses II. He is arguably the most famous, or infamous, of Egypt’s pharaohs. His reign would be long (67 years!) and his influence would be incalculable. In this episode, Ramesses "appears" as King, following the death of his father (III Shemu 27). He chooses his royal names (Usir-Ma'at-Ra, Ramesses Beloved of Amun). He buries Sety, in the Valley of the Kings. And he goes before the gods to receive blessings and power... Episode chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Ramesses II 04:20 - Ramesses Accession Date & Royal Names 12:56 - The Funeral of Sety I (Horus buries Osiris) 20:50 - Ramesses goes before the gods 43:22 - Conclusion For the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, and Ramesses’ “coronation” scenes, see the following volumes: Nelson (1981). The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Volume 1, Part 1: The Wall Reliefs https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/great-hypostyle-hall-karnak-volume-1-part-1-wall-reliefs Brand et al. (2018). The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak Volume 1, Part 2: Translation and Commentary. https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/oip-142-great-hypostyle-hall-temple-amun-karnak 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coffin of Sety I (now in the NMEC) was probably reworked from an earlier piece, during the reburials in DB320 (the royal cache). But how can we tell? Dr. Peter Lacovara explains. Dr. Lacovara's website https://peterlacovara.com/ Video version available at Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast Video version available on YouTube https://youtu.be/6e1fauj4qPA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety’s royal burial. Valley of the Kings tomb 17 (KV17) came to light in October 1817. Discovered by a team of Egyptian workers, employed by Giovanni Belzoni, the tomb is the most beautiful, and one of the largest, in the entire Valley. == Learn more about KV17: 3D Tour by Mused: https://mused.com/tours/926/tomb-of-seti-i-valley-of-the-kings/ Theban Mapping Project https://thebanmappingproject.com/tombs/kv-17-sety-i Photos: Kairoinfo4u via https://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157687439529835/ KV17 at Wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:KV17 == 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approach with caution. In March 2025, a group calling itself the “Khafre Research Project” posted visual information online about the pyramid of Khafra at Giza. The group claims that Synthetic Aperture Radar (or SAR) scans at Giza have revealed “structures” beneath the pyramids. Using digital modelling (and some AI), they suggest that Khafra’s pyramid and the Giza plateau hide many more chambers. There are a couple facets to this. The 2022 article publishing raw data about SAR scanning at Giza: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/20/5231 Overview of claims and evidence: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pyramids-of-giza-new-discovery-structures/ I don't usually do "debunking" content or engage with pseudoscience directly. If you'd like to learn more about the truth vs fiction, consider following these creators: Milo Rossi (Miniminuteman): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TgAp_Ry6dcM Stefan Milo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=341Lv8JLLV4 Flint Dibble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQMfGuKgTwU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News from the Field (2025) Part 2. The past excavation season has been extraordinarily productive. Beyond the new royal tomb of Thutmose II we also have a SECOND royal tomb, at Abydos! The Grand Egyptian Museum is finally opening in full. And archaeological teams throughout the land have uncovered wonderful things. We also remember some prominent scholars who passed away recently. Chapter times and links to discovery reports with photos: 00:22 – New tombs at Asasif https://southasasif.wordpress.com/2024/11/01/discovery-announcement/. 02:21 – New tombs at Dra Abu Naga https://www.facebook.com/tourismandantiq/posts/pfbid02eqYh7RAiCqrxxDir9Pvbhu4YV1samnfLLtdJUfgNqvNbF6mVHWYkMGHTWixL7efjl 04:31 – Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple discoveries https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/538198.aspx 09:08 – Karnak Treasure Hoard https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/541255.aspx 10:50 – New tombs at Saqqara https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/537986.aspx 12:29 – Bastet Tooth, ancient predator https://www.sci.news/paleontology/bastetodon-syrtos-13673.html and https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2442472 13:52 – Gold Mines in the Eastern Desert https://www.facebook.com/luxortimesmagazine/posts/pfbid024ATNP7GsdFwC35EgngA7Ys51MrwjrzsMPvPMXkty4oMt1SLC46g1tmRBVSEfpyXEl 15:28 – The Grand Egyptian Museum OPENING https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1238/539361/Egypt/Tourism/A-world-gem-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-set-for-grand-op.aspx 20:18 – Obituaries 2024 & 2025. 31:24 – Breaking News: New Royal Tomb at Abydos https://www.egyptindependent.com/royal-cemetery-from-second-intermediate-period-and-pottery-workshop-discovered-in-sohag/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a reign of approximately eleven years, the Horus Men-Ma’at-Ra (Sety I) passed to the west. He died in reasonably good health, and studies of his mummy reveal a tall, physically robust individual. So, what killed him? We explore these questions, and the history of his Memorial Temple, where the King’s body lay in state ready for burial… Music by Bettina Joy de Guzman www.bettinajoydeguzman.com. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Additional music “Sety’s Funeral” by Ihab Mahna https://www.instagram.com/imahna/. 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

News from the Field 2025, Part 1. In February 2025, the breaking news was the discovery of a royal tomb. An archaeological mission working in Luxor are confident they have located the grave of King Thutmose II. The tomb itself was discovered in late 2022, and the team announced it publicly in 2023. I reported on that initial find in the news roundup for that year. Now, another season has passed, and the team’s work has come to fruition... I am also joined by Dr. Chris Naunton, former Director of the Egypt Exploration Society, who was discussed the new find on his blog, and joins us to share some wider context and speculation. Music interludes by Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paser, servant of Sety I and Ramesses II (c.1300--1270 BCE). In the later years of his reign, King Sety promoted one of his servants to the highest political/government office. Paser, the Vizier, enters our story... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth Frood is Associate Professor of Egyptology and Director of the Griffith Institute at the University of Oxford, UK. In a lively discussion, Dr. Frood shares her insights into ancient lives and how people living in the non-royal sphere approached their immortality. Statues, texts and graffiti show us the minds of these people and how they depicted their concerns, beliefs and ideas. It's a great conversation and I think you'll really enjoy it! Prof. Frood's book: Biographical Texts from Ramessid Egypt, 2007. Academic pages: https://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/people/elizabeth-frood https://oxford.academia.edu/ElizabethFrood Prof. Frood's story: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/arts-blog/returning-egypt-acquired-disability-and-fieldwork# https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2281439122175384 https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-oxfordshire-42739901/the-infection-which-took-my-nose-and-legs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Place of Beauties (Ta-Set-Neferu). In the reigns of Ramesses I and Sety I (c.1304—1292 BCE), the Valley of the Queens finally earned its moniker. Having been a burial ground for royal children and courtiers, the wadi south of Deir el-Medina now began to host ruling women. In the days of Sety I, the Queen Mother Sitra and the Queen Tuya both received new tomb constructions in this site. Their monuments include evocative passages from the Book of the Dead (Chapter 17), and hints of the wonders to come in future generations… Tombs discussed in this episode: Princess Iah-Mes / Ahmose: Museo Egizio, Turin and Theban Mapping Project. Queen Sitra: Theban Mapping Project. Queen Tuya: Theban Mapping Project. Queen Nefertari: Theban Mapping Project and digital reconstruction at Nefertari Tomb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding the deities requires us to move beyond inherited preconceptions and prejudices. Fortunately, there are many gods worthy of the effort. From the deified Sphinx Horemakhet, to the meme-lord Medjed, to the deified lover-boy Antinous, the pantheon is rich in variety and personalities. It is a subject that today’s guest, Dr. Tamara L. Siuda, has devoted a great deal of time. Her new book, The Complete Encyclopedia of Egyptian Deities (2024) is a comprehensive guide to many of these figures… Dr. Tamara Siuda’s website: https://tamarasiuda.com/ For a limited time, 20% off the purchase of The Complete Encyclopedia of Egyptian Deities at Llewellyn.com. Code: CEED20. Valid: 1/23/25 – 2/28/25. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Must be logged in to your Llewellyn account for coupon to apply to cart. Dr. Siuda has generously offered a permanent discount code on any item in her bookstore. Visit http://tamarasiuda.com/shop and use the coupon code historical to receive 20% off any order. Valid for one order per customer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Book of the Sky Cow. In the waning years of the 18th Dynasty (the reign of Tut’ankhamun) royal artisans began decorating tombs and funerary equipment with a new text. Sometimes known as “The Destruction of Mankind,” the book tells of a distant age, when Ra ruled on earth. But as the sun-god aged, a group of humans perceived his weakness, and plotted rebellion. Faced with an uprising, Ra marshalled his supporters and sent forth an enforcer. The goddess Hat-Hor (and her alter ego Sakhmet) began to wreak havoc upon the lowly, wayward humans… The Book of the Sky Cow: Part I and Part II, and the Shrines of Tutankhamun, available in Piankoff, The Shrines of Tut-Ankh-Amon. Available at Internet Archive Open Access. Part I and Part II available in Simpson, The Literature of Ancient Egypt, pages 289—298. Available at Internet Archive Open Access. Part I (the Rebellion) available in Lichtheim Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume II: The New Kingdom. Available at Academia.edu. 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. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hathor's temple at Dendera is one of the best in Egypt. Constructed in the late 1st Millennium BCE (but with roots stretching back to the Old Kingdom), Hathor’s house preserves amazing art, hieroglyphs, and secrets. It is a temple that today’s guest, José M. Barrera, devoted a great deal of energy to documenting. The result is a wonderful study of Hathor’s celestial realm… See José's amazing photography of Dendera's ceiling and learn more about his book Dendera: The Temple of Time (2024) at his website: https://josemariabarrera.com/dendera/ See the video version of this interview at https://youtu.be/7xjUzTcRMH0 Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Livestream recording. The tombs of Deir el-Medina are some of the most vibrant and beautiful in Waset (Thebes). How did they build them, which artists decorated them, and how did folk like Sennedjem pay for the construction and furnishing? Video version available at Patreon, with extended artistic discussion. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Intro music by Bettina Joy de Guzman www.bettinajoydeguzman.com. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Year, New Home. My wife and I are moving to the UK in February 2025. How will this improve / affect the podcast? Details inside. Next livestream: “How to Make Your Own Tomb,” based on the artists’ tombs at Deir el-Medina. Held on YouTube live: https://youtube.com/live/500MMqMUlH8. Date and time zone conversion: Auckland: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 at 9:00 a.m. NZDT Sydney: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 at 7:00 a.m. AEDT Cairo: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 10:00 p.m. EET Berlin: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 9:00 p.m. CET London: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 8:00 p.m. GMT New York: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 3:00 p.m. EST Chicago: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST Los Angeles: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 at 12:00 Noon PST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety’s final campaign. In winter of year 8 (approx. December 1296 BCE), the King of Egypt Sety I received news: rebellion in the south. In a land called Irem, now in modern Sudan, locals were resisting Egypt’s monarch. Sety gathered an army of infantry and chariots and set off to war. The story is told by Egyptians participating in the event, and by monuments erected to commemorate it… See the temple of Beit el-Wali at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Temple_of_Beit_el-Wali Music by Bettina Joy de Guzman www.bettinajoydeguzman.com. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.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

Livestream recording. The village of Deir el-Medina first arose in the 18th Dynasty (c.1550—1310 BCE), but the historical records really multiply in the 19th and 20th Dynasties (c.1310—1070 BCE). In this livestream recording, I set the scene for the village and introduce you to some of its inhabitants. We explore houses and families, and a couple of intact tombs that shed light on the inhabitants… Video version available at https://www.patreon.com/posts/livestream-deir-117598390. Deir el-Medina Village Museo Egizio excavation photos: https://archiviofotografico.museoegizio.it/en/archive/theban-region/deir-el-medina/excavations-at-the-village-temple-and-chapels/?photo=C00949 Kairo info4u: https://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157615031342678/ Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Deir_el-Medina TT1 Sennedjem and Family Kairoinfo4u: https://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157645191206615/ Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?q=sennedjem&geolocation=Thebes&sortBy=AccessionNumber&showOnly=withImage TT8 Tomb of Kha & Merit Museo Egizio excavation photos: https://archiviofotografico.museoegizio.it/en/archive/theban-region/deir-el-medina/tt8-tomb-and-chapel-of-kha-and-merit/?photo=C02053 Museo Egizio objects collection https://collezioni.museoegizio.it/en-GB/search/?action=s&provenance=Deir%20el-Medina%20%2f%20tomb%20of%20Kha%20(TT8) 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. Intro music by Ihab. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deir el-Medina’s Golden Age (Part 1). In the age of Sety I, the village of the tomb-builders expanded significantly. Likewise, our evidence for daily life, families, households, and business begins to proliferate. Historians can identify individuals from tombs and connect them with specific houses. We can track their movements, as they form relationships, get married, have children, and pass things to their descendants. Written records tell us about the village’s operations, including their funding from the pharaoh’s government. Around 1300 BCE, we stand on the threshold of some truly detailed stories… DEIR EL-MEDINA LIVESTREAM, open to the public, see details here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116333133. See photos of Deir el-Medina by: Kairoinfo4u https://flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157615031342678/ Margaret Lucy Patterson https://flickr.com/photos/24729615@N00/albums/72157625707940536/ Heidi Kontkanen https://flickr.com/photos/plingthepenguin/albums/72157657026077070/ For personal items, including food discovered in tombs, see the collection of the Museo Egizio, Turin (English database). People and families of Deir el-Medina: Davies, B. G. (1999). Who’s Who at Deir el-Medina: A Prosopographic Study of the Royal Workmen’s Community. Available free from the publisher and author at https://www.nino-leiden.nl/publication/whos-who-at-deir-el-medina and https://www.academia.edu/10955578/Whos_Who_at_Deir_el_Medina. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Logo image: The Workman Sennedjem and his wife Iy-Nefret worship the sky goddess Nut, who emerges from a sycamore tree (Photo Chris Ward). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety I in the Valley of the Kings (Part 1). Archaeological remains and ancient texts reveal a great deal about tomb-building in the 19th and 20th Dynasties (c.1303—1070 BCE). Records, artefacts, and art all combine to inform us of the workers and their practices. In this episode, we use the sepulchre of Sety I (KV17) as a case-study, to understand an ancient tomb project. Explore the tomb of Sety I in a 3D Walkthrough by MuseEd https://mused.com/guided/926/tomb-of-seti-i-valley-of-the-kings/ Archaeological information for Sety's tomb at the Theban Mapping Project: https://thebanmappingproject.com/index.php/tombs/kv-17-sety-i Photos of Sety’s tomb by Kairoinfo4u: https://flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157687439529835/ For up-to-date studies and discussions of the royal tombs and their history, see The Oxford Handbook of the Valley of the Kings: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-handbook-of-the-valley-of-the-kings-9780190052072. Individual articles may be available via their authors if you do a web search of the author + article title. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. The History of Egypt Podcast: Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1881, a remarkable discovery took place in Luxor, Egypt. In the hills of Deir el-Bahari, a secret tomb held the reburied mummies of Egypt’s famous pharaohs. Figures like Sety I, Ramesses II, Thutmose III, and Amunhotep I lay in rest, in carefully hidden coffins. However, the caskets themselves hold many secrets, which today’s guest has spent years exploring. VIDEO VERSION available on YouTube. Interview guest: Prof. Kara Cooney (UCLA) presents Recycling for Death:Coffin Reuse in Ancient Egypt and the Theban Royal Caches. Part of the UCLA Coffins Project https://arce.org/project/ucla-coffins-project/. Available via AUC Press https://aucpress.com/9781649031280/recycling-for-death/. Kara Cooney’s website: https://karacooney.squarespace.com/. The Deir el-Bahari cache and the royal coffins & mummies: Coffin of Sety I https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/coffinofsetii. Possible evidence of its origin as a queenly coffin via Dr. Peter Lacovara https://peterlacovara.com/portfolio/coffin-conundrum/. Daressy, G. (1909). Cercueils des cachettes royales: Nos 61001-61044. https://archive.org/details/DaressyCercueils1909. Maspero, G., & Brugsch, É. (1881—1887). La Trouvaille de Deir-el-Bahari, 2 vols. https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/maspero1881bd1 and https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/maspero1887bd2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The plan of an honest ruler. Around 1300 BCE, as today, gold was big business. King Sety I personally led an expedition into the eastern desert, to establish a new mining operation. Back in the Nile Valley, high-ranking officials leave monuments testifying to their work delivering, securing, and recording that gold. And thanks to art and artefacts, we can reconstruct the items these gold-workers produced. From the Red Sea Mountains to the Temple of Abydos, we follow the paths of gold… Logo image: Silver and gold statuette of a New Kingdom pharaoh, possibly Sety I (Louvre). For records of Sety and his contemporaries, see Kenneth Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, Volume I. Versions: Hieroglyphs; English translations; References and Commentary. Photos of Sety’s Temple at Kanais in the Wadi Barramiya. Sety’s monuments including the Abydos and Kanais temples, in P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). Available free online at Academia.edu. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety in the Desert. Around 1300 BCE, King Sety led an expedition into the Red Sea hills. His purpose? Gold. The King brought soldiers and charioteers out to mine precious metals for his treasuries. The journey was difficult, traversing a dry and rocky landscape far from the comforts of home. Fortunately, Sety left detailed descriptions of the event; and art and artefacts from this era allow us to reconstruct the journey... Episode details: Logo image: Soldiers make camp, setting up tents for commanders. Tomb of Horemheb at Saqqara (Martin 2016). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. The Wadi Barramiya, in which Sety’s expedition travelled, by Hakatani Tenfu at Flickr.com. The Kanais Temple of Sety I, in the Wadi Barramiya, by Mutnedjmet at Flickr.com. Select bibliography: A. Dodson, Sethy I King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (Cairo, 2019). H. Gauthier, ‘Le temple de l’Ouâdi Mîyah (el Knaïs)’, Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale 17 (1920), 1--38. Available online. K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical, I (Oxford, 1975). R. Klemm and D. Klemm, Gold and Gold Mining in Ancient Egypt and Nubia: Geoarchaeology of the Ancient Gold Mining Sites in the Egyptian and Sudanese Eastern Deserts (Berlin, 2013). G. T. Martin, Tutankhamun’s Regent: Scenes and Texts from the Memphite Tomb of Horemheb (EES Excavation Memoir 111; London, 2016). C. D. Reader, A Gift of Geology: Ancient Egyptian Landscapes and Monuments (Cairo, 2022). R. D. Rothe et al., Pharaonic Inscriptions from the Southern Eastern Desert of Egypt (Winona Lake, 2008). B. M. Sampsell, The Geology of Egypt: A Traveler’s Handbook (Cairo, 2014). See website for complete listing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ramesses Rising. Traditionally, Egyptian princes are almost invisible. The pharaohs downplayed the presence of their sons, to reduce political competition and maintain religious order. Sety I (c.1300 BCE) changed this habit. In art and monuments, he promoted young Ramesses II to a position of prominence and power. The exact nature of this promotion is slightly controversial among Egyptologists. In this episode, we explore Ramesses’ rise and some of the thorny issues. Additionally, Prof. Peter Brand joins us to discuss some of the harder questions on these period. Peter Brand, The Monuments of Sety I (2000), available free at Academia.edu. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh (2023) available from Lockwood Press. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Outro music: “River Lullaby” from The Prince of Egypt (1998) – Harp cover by The Knitting Harpist (YouTube). 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. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded May 2024. A name more famous than its owners. The Cleopatras of Egypt (all seven of them) were remarkably influential women and rulers. Frequently taking up power and responsibilities far beyond their more famous husbands (the Ptolemies), the seven Cleopatras of Egypt (and even more in the wider Hellenistic world) are worthy of greater attention and respect. In this interview, Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones of Cardiff University introduces these figures and his new book The Cleopatras: Forgotten Queens of Egypt. Author details: Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, The Cleopatras, 2024. Available in hardback, paperback, ebook, and audiobook (read by the author). See Headline Publishing and all good retailers. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones at Cardiff University and Academia.edu. Rulers discussed in this episode: Cleopatra I Syra: Wikipedia. Cleopatra III: Wikipedia. Cleopatra Thea of the Seleukid Empire: Wikipedia. Cleopatra VI Tryphaena: Wikipedia. Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator: Wikipedia. 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. Music by Michael Levy www.ancientlyre.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Temple of Sety I at Abydos, an out-of-the-way corridor preserves a unique image. The King of Egypt, and his eldest son, wrangle and subdue a bull. This scene appears simple, at first glance. But it has a wealth of deeper symbolism and meanings. In this episode, we explore the idea of Bulls as images of power and violence, and their relationship with gods like Osiris and Seth… Episode logo: Ramesses and the Bull, by artist Brenna Baines (commissioned by The History of Egypt Podcast). Full version available on my Patreon (link below). The Bull Hall photos by Heidi Kontkanen at Flickr.com. The Bull Hall in Peter Brand, Monuments of Sety I (2000) available free online. 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. Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Sound effects purchased from Pond5. Select Bibliography: M. Abuel-Yazid, ‘Architecture of the Slaughterhouse of the Seti Temple at Abydos’, in I. Regulski (ed.), Abydos: The Sacred Land at the Western Horizon (2019), 7—24. L. Baqué, ‘“On that Day When the Long-Horned Bull was Lassoed...” (PT [254] 286). A Scene in the “Corridor of the Bull” of the Cenotaph of Sethos I in Abydos: An Iconologic Approach’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 30 (2002), 43—51. P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). Available free online. R. H. Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt (2003). J. M. Galán, ‘Bullfight Scenes in Ancient Egyptian Tombs’, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 80 (1994), 81—96. See website for complete reference list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. 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

Identity crisis. Seth (aka Sutekh / Setekh / Suty) is a complicated deity. A master of storms, winds, deserts and seas, Seth dominates foreigners and the world outside Egypt. However, he is also treacherous, violent, and aggressive; a god who slew his own brother and tried to seize the throne for himself. As a result, Seth has a complicated relationship with the Egyptian kingship. Part defender and source of legitimacy, but also a threat to the stable order of the world (ma’at). Most kings navigated this relationship fairly easily. But then, most kings weren’t named after the god himself. As a pharaoh of Egypt, a living Horus, and the son of Osiris, King Sety I had to work hard to reconcile his personal identity with his divine. The results are visible on his monuments… Date: Reign of Sety I (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, outro, and interludes: Michael Levy. Music interludes: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos. Logo image: A Seth-headed-Sphinx, on an obelisk of Sety I, originally from Heliopolis but now in Alexandria (Line drawing by Dominic Perry, based on a photo by Heidi Kontkanen). Select Bibliography: J. P. Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts (2nd edn, 2015). P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). E. Cruz-Uribe, ‘The Father of Ramses I: OI 11456’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 37 (1978), 237—244. E. Cruz-Uribe, ‘Stḫ ꜥꜣ pḥty “Seth, God of Power and Might”’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 45 (2009), 201—26. A. el-Sawi, ‘Some Variations of Writing of the Names of Sety I at Abydos’, Annales du Services des Antiquités de l’Egypte 70 Supplement (1987), 53—63. J. G. Griffith, The Conflict of Horus and Seth from Egyptian and Classical Sources (1960). C. A. Hope, ‘Reconstructing the Image of Seth, Lord of the Oasis, in his Temple at Mut el-Kharab in Dakhleh Oasis’, Rich and Great: Studies in Honour of Anthony J. Spalinger on the Occasion of his 70th Feast of Thoth (2016), 123—145. K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations Volume I: Ramesses I, Sethos I and Contemporaries (Second Publication edn, 2017). W. M. F. Petrie and J. E. Quibell, Naqada and Ballas 1895 (1896). D. Schorsch and M. T. Wypyski, ‘Seth, “Figure of Mystery”’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 45 (2009), 177—200. D. Stewart, ‘The Myth of Osiris in the Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, Monash University (2014). I. R. Taylor, ‘Deconstructing the Iconography of Seth’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Birmingham (2016). H. te Velde, ‘The Egyptian God Seth as a Trickster’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 7 (1968), 37—40. H. te Velde, Seth, God of Confusion (1967). H. te Velde, ‘Seth’, in D. B. Redford (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt, 3 (2001), 269—271. P. J. Turner, ‘Seth – A Misrepresented God in the Ancient Egyptian Pantheon?’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, The University of Manchester (2012). R. H. Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt (2003). H. E. Winlock, The Temple of Ramesses I at Abydos (1937). ‘Stèle Cintrée E26017’, Musée du Louvre, <https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010004210> accessed 2.2.2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blade of Frontiers (not Wyll). In September 2024, the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities announced new discoveries including a sword inscribed with the names of Ramesses II, King of Egypt. In this episode, we discuss the weapon and its origins, as well as the larger significance of the fortress in which this discovery occurred. Who did the sword belong to? What was this fortress guarding against? Egyptian swords in museum collections: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/545558 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA5425 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA52850 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA36769 The Egyptian army and fortifications: Video lecture series, "Perspectives on the Ramesside Military System" on YouTube. The Old Kingdom (c.2500—2200 BCE): Spotify and Website. Grave of the Unknown Warriors (c.2000 BCE): Spotify. The Army of Sety I (c.1300 BCE), Part 1: Spotify. The Army of Sety I (c.1300 BCE), Part 2: Spotify. The New Kingdom (c.1500—1150 BCE): Spotify and YouTube. Ian Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Warfare (Oxford, 2019). C. Vogel, The Fortifications of Ancient Egypt 3000-1780 BC (Botley, 2010). E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt’s New Kingdom (Leiden, 2005). B. McDermott, Warfare in Ancient Egypt (Stroud, 2004). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

In 1798, an army of soldiers and scientists invaded Egypt. At their head, the young general Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Expedition had an enormous impact on Egypt's political history, and Egyptology as a field of scholarly inquiry. Remarkable discoveries, and dedicated study, led to an explosion in knowledge about the ancient past. Today, William Clark of Grey History: The French Revolution & Napoleon joins me to discuss these momentous undertakings. And, of course, we talk about the new film "Napoleon," directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby. Links and details: William Clark's Grey History: The French Revolution & Napoleon podcast. Logo image - Maurice Orange, Napoleon at the Pyramids 1895. The Description of Egypt complete digital copy at Bibliotecha Alexandrina. The Description of Egypt complete digital copy at Library of Congress. 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. Select Bibliography: ‘Abd al-Rahman al- Jabarti’, Oxford Reference, https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100014918. E. Prusskaya, ‘Arab Chronicles as a Source for Studying Bonaparte’s Expedition to Egypt’, Napoleonica. LaRevue 24 (2015), 48–60. P. Mainterot, ‘France’, in A. Bednarski et al. (eds), A History of World Egyptology (Cambridge, 2020), 68–90. S. Ikram and A. Omar, ‘Egypt’, in A. Bednarski et al. (eds), A History of World Egyptology (Cambridge, 2020), 25–67. A. Bednarski et al. (eds), ‘The Prehistory of Egyptology’, A History of World Egyptology (Cambridge, 2020), 8–24. A. Bednarski et al. (eds), A History of World Egyptology (Cambridge, 2020). O. El Daly, Egyptology: The Missing Millennium – Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings (2005). L. Greener, The Discovery of Egypt (1966). R. Asprey, The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (2000). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've wanted a game like Total War: Pharaoh since childhood. Now it's here! Thanks to Creative Assembly, I've had the opportunity to explore the game and prepare some introductions to the history and major leaders. This is meant to be a "listen along while playing" experience, just like I used to do with Mike Duncan's History of Rome and the original Rome: Total War. I hope you enjoy! Chapters: Intro: 00:00. Merneptah: 05:30. Ramesses: 29:10. Amenmesse: 1:02:40. Sety: 1:19:30. Tausret: 1:40:45. Bay & Irsu: 2:07:35. Kurunta & Suppiluliuma: 2:32:07. Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. Support the History of Egypt Podcast 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 reigned (approx.) 1303--1292 BCE. In the first half of his reign, the King's followers achieved significant and splendid deeds. We explore these achievements in aggregate, and what they all mean for the Egyptian people. Plus, what 19th Dynasty "expansion" means for our story of pharaohs, ordinary people, and the gods... Logo image: Sety I, a painted panel from his tomb (Louvre Museum). Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Jeffrey Goodman www.jeffreygoodman.com. Interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Dorothy Eady, Bulbul Abd el-Meguid, Omm Sety… A woman of three names, multiple lives, and a lifelong devotion to Egyptology. From the 1950s to 1981, Omm Sety was a resident of Abydos, and a regular worshipper at the great Temple of Sety I. Her life is a tale of dedication, spiritual connection, and fascination with the ancient past. In this episode, we explore Omm Sety’s life and try to “shine a spotlight” on her work, personality, and beliefs… Documentaries about Omm Sety (YouTube): BBC Interview with Omm Sety at Abydos: https://youtu.be/2fdNJ2L9_zw?t=1. Omm Sety explains the Abydos Temple: https://youtu.be/QXmnus48jdI?t=83. Recollections of Omm Sety by those who knew her (Arabic, with subtitles): https://youtu.be/ZrFA-kDHtzg?t=281. Egypt – Quest for Eternity, with section on Omm Sety (filmed just prior to her death): https://youtu.be/VHXsv9ZLlYo?t=737. Episode details: Jonathan Cott, The Search for Omm Sety at Archive.org. Omm Sety and Hanny el Zeini, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt at Archive.org. Date: 1904—1981 CE. Places: Blackheath; Cairo; Abydos. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music: Ancient Lyric. Interludes: Luke Chaos and Hathor Systrum. Select Bibliography: J. Cott, The Search for Omm Sety: A Story of Eternal Love (1987). E. B. Ghazzouli, ‘The Palace and Magazines Attached to the Temple of Sety I at Abydos and the Facade of this Temple’, Annales du Services des Antiquités de l’Egypte 58 (1964), 99—186. B. S. Lesko, ‘Omm Sety, 1904—1981,’ in M. S. Joukowsky and B. S. Lesko (eds), Breaking Ground: Women in Old World Archaeology. O. Sety and H. El-Zeini, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt (1981). J. Thompson, Wonderful Things, A History of Egyptology, III: From 1914 to the Twenty-First Century (2018). J. Uglow et al. (eds), ‘Eady, Dorothy (1904-1981)’, The Palgrave MacMillan Dictionary of Women’s Biography (1982). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Part 1. In the ancient city and necropolis of Abydos (Egyptian Abdju), pharaoh Sety I commissioned a magnificent temple. Today, this monument is one of the finest in the country, a highlight of any trip. Sety’s work is complicated, with several components and structures worthy of discussion. So, this is part one of a multi-part tour through the complex. Today, we cover: The history of Abydos pre-Sety I. The modern experience of Sety’s temple. The Hypostyle Halls, the unique “Seven Chapels,” and the “Osiris Complex.” The meaning and symbolism of the Osiris religion as Sety shows it. In future episodes, we will discuss the Osireion, the Abydos King List, and the known Priests/Staff who managed it. Details and sources: 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. 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. Images: For high-quality illustrations and photos of Sety’s temple, see: 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. Music intro and interludes: Keith Zizza. Music interludes: Luke Chaos. Sistrum interludes: Tahya / Hathor Systrum. Select Bibliography: M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume I: The Chapels of Osiris, Isis, and Horus (1933) https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/misc/sethos-1-temple-king-sethos-i-abydos-volume-i-chapels-osiris-isis-and. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume II: The Chapels of Amen-Re, Re-Harakhti, Ptah, and King Sethos (1935) https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/misc/sethos-2-temple-king-sethos-i-abydos-volume-ii-chapels-amen-re-re. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume III: The Osiris Complex (1938) https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/misc/sethos-3-temple-king-sethos-i-abydos-volume-iii-osiris-complex. M. Calverley, The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos Volume IV: The Second Hypostyle Hall (1958) https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/misc/sethos-4-temple-king-sethos-i-abydos-volume-iv-second-hypostyle-hall. Capart, Abydos: Le Temple de Seti Ier (1912). S. G. Caulfield, The Temple of the Kings at Abydos (Sety I) (1989). David, Temple Ritual at Abydos (2018). 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. Mariette, Abydos: Description des fouilles (1869). O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (2009). Sety and H. el Zeini, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt (1981). Smith, Following Osiris: Perspectives on the Osirian Afterlife from Four Millenia (2017). Verner, Temple of the World: Sanctuaries, Cults, and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt (2013). H. Wilkinson, The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt (2000). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ramesses II: Prince of Egypt. When Sety I took power, his eldest son was probably 10—15 years old. The King's Son Ra-messes (“Born of Ra”) enjoyed a privileged upbringing. And by the time he was physically mature, the young prince was ready to expand the royal household. His father Sety had some plans in that regard… Details and sources: Date: c. 1299 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music intro: Keith Zizza. Music interludes and outro: Luke Chaos. Texts: Kenneth Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptionsvolume 1. Hieroglyph versions at Internet Archive, English translations at Abercromby Press. Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Looking to upgrade your eating habits? Try HELLO FRESH and get 50% off your order. Visit hellofresh.com/egypt50 and use the promo code EGYPT50 for 50% off (U.S. customers only). 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. Dodson and D. Hilton, The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt (2004). M. M. Fisher, The Sons of Ramesses II (2001). D. C. Forbes, The Royal Mummies Caches (TT320 & KV35) (2015). W. Grajetzki, Ancient Egyptian Queens: A Hieroglyphic Dictionary (2005). J. E. Harris and K. R. Weeks, X-Raying the Pharaohs (1973). Z. Hawass and S. N. Saleem, Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging in the New Kingdom Royal Mummies (2016). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical, III (1980). K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations, II (2017). W. J. Murnane, ‘The Earlier Reign of Ramesses II and His Coregency with Sety I’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 34 (1975), 153–90. K. C. Seele, The Coregency of Ramses II with Seti I and the Date of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak (1940). A. J. Spalinger, The Great Dedicatory Inscription of Ramesses II: A Solar-Osirian Tractate at Abydos (2009). J. Tyldesley, Ramesses: Egypt’s Greatest Pharaoh (2001). J. Tyldesley, Chronicle of the Queens of Egypt (2006). T. Wilkinson, Ramesses the Great: Egypt’s King of Kings (2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Hey New Zealand! It's time to explore ancient Egypt. A new exhibition, Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs, has just opened at Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira. And to celebrate, we've got a special deep-dive into the artefacts and cultural background of the Nile Valley! Have a listen and check out the exhibition for yourself. And while you're there, consider an Auckland Museum Membership, which comes with all kinds of perks including free entry to paid exhibitions, exclusive events and lectures from leading experts, special discounts at the museum shops and cafes, and more! 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 5): Empires clash. Around 1300 BCE (approximately), Sety I records a battle against the Hittites. In the course of his northern wars, perhaps following the reconquest of Kadesh and Amurru, Sety faced off with his distant rival. The Kingdom of Hatti, land of the Hittites, sent forces to challenge the Egyptian resurgence… 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: Luke Chaos. Interludes: Keith Zizza, Luke Chaos, Hathor Systrum. The Battle Reliefs of Sety I by The Epigraphic Survey Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Volume IV: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I | Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (uchicago.edu). 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. Support the History of Egypt Podcast and get amazing skincare products from RA EGYPTIAN, the natural skincare range inspired by ancient ingredients! Shop at www.ra-egyptian.comand use the checkout code EGYPT to get 30% off your order! Select Bibliography: G. Beckman, Hittite Diplomatic Texts (1996). 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). T. Bryce, The Kingdom of the Hittites (2005). T. R. Bryce, Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History (2014). T. R. Bryce, Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites (2019). V. Davies, ‘The Treatment of Foreigners in Seti’s Battle Reliefs’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 98 (2012), 73–85. A. Dodson, Sethy I King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (2019). 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. 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. 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. D. D. Luckenbill, ‘Hittite Treaties and Letters’, The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures 37 (1921), 161–211. 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). D. B. Redford, Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times (1992). A. Spalinger, Aspects of the Military Documents of the Ancient Egyptians (1982). 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, Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak Volume 4: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I (1986). G. Wilhelm, ‘Muršilis II. Konflikt mit Ägypten und Haremhabs Thronbesteigung’, Die Welt des Orients 39 (2009), 108–16. W. Wreszinski, Atlas zur altaegyptischen Kulturgeschichte (1988). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amurru (Part 4): Reconquista. The land of Amurru, and its leaders, have been a noteworthy part of the story in recent decades. Since the reigns of Amunhotep III and Akhenaten, the lords of Amurru have caused great trouble in Egypt’s northern empire. They have raided, plundered, and even murdered their way to regional prominence. Now, a couple decades after their betrayals, King Sety I is bringing vengeance… Note: This episode includes new content and old material from episodes 123, 124, 142c. See timecodes for relevant chapters. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction. 02:25 The Land of Amurru. 12:25 How Science Uncovered Amurrite Expansion. 24:04 The Amurru – Hittite Alliances. 35:44 The Battle of Amurru. 46:28 Can We Trust Sety's Story? 51:15 Conclusion. 53:50 Episode 123, Amurrites and Where to Find Them. 2:07:17 Episode 124, The Crimes of Aziru. 3:07:45 Episode 142c, Aziru’s Betrayal. Episode Details: 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: Michael Levy - Composer for Lyre (ancientlyre.com). Interludes: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos. Logo image: Warriors of Kadesh, near Amurru, falling before Sety I's assault. Battle reliefs at Karnak, via the University of Chicago (below). Goren, Finkelstein, and Na’aman: The Expansion of the Kingdom of Amurru According to the Petrographic Investigation of the Amarna Tablets | Yuval Goren and Nadav Na'aman - Academia.edu. Sety’s Battle Reliefs, including the possible scenes of Amurru, at the University of Chicago: Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Volume IV: The Battle Reliefs of King Sety I | Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (uchicago.edu). Peter Brand, Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh, out now from Lockwood Press. Support The History of Egypt Podcast by shopping at RA EGYPTIAN, the clean skincare line inspired by ancient Egyptian ingredients! Visit www.ra-egyptian.com and use code EGYPT at checkout for 30% off your order! Select Bibliography: S. Aḥituv, Canaanite Toponyms in Ancient Egyptian Documents (1984). G. Beckman, Hittite Diplomatic Texts (1996). P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). T. Bryce, The Kingdom of the Hittites (2005). T. Bryce and J. Birkett-Rees, Atlas of the Ancient Near East from Prehistoric Times to the Roman Imperial Period (2016). T. R. Bryce, Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History (2014). T. R. Bryce, Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites (2019). V. Davies, ‘The Treatment of Foreigners in Seti’s Battle Reliefs’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 98 (2012), 73–85. A. Dodson, Sethy I King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (2019). 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. Y. Goren et al., ‘The Expansion of the Kingdom of Amurru According to the Petrographic Investigation of the Amarna Tablets’, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (2003), 1–11. 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. 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. D. D. Luckenbill, ‘Hittite Treaties and Letters’, The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures 37 (1921), 161–211. E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt’s New Kingdom (2005). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices