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The History of Egypt Podcast
The History of Egypt Podcast

The History of Egypt Podcast

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

Available Episodes 10

You know Cleopatra, but do you know all seven of them? Despite the fame of one name, the history of “Cleopatra” crosses three centuries and a long lineage of accomplished women. 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:

Rulers discussed in this episode:

The History of Egypt Podcast:

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What’s the deal? We explore the Pyramid Texts’ meaning, as well as their origins and scholarship.

The Osiris achieves his apotheosis. Having awakened from death and received his offerings (or taken them by force), Unas now prepares to enter the sky at last. We add more protections and defeat more enemies (including a dramatic appearance from the fearsome Mafdet). Then, Unas meets the oldest of primeval gods, sails the milky way, and hears the lamentations of his enemies’ women…

Episode topics:

  1. Meaning 01:15.
  2. Rituals 03:54
  3. Afterlife geography 17:05.
  4. Origins 20:16.
  5. Arrangement / Structure 29:00.
  6. Conclusion 37:25

Includes passages in English translation and ancient Egyptian.

Date: c.2320 BCE.

Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.

Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. 

Intro music by Jeffrey Goodman, “Lament of Isis and Nephthys,” Ancient Egyptian Music II.

Interludes by Keith Zizza, Children of the Nile.

Select bibliography:

  • Pyramid Texts in translation: https://pyramidtextsonline.com/translation.html.
  • J. P. Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts (2nd edn, 2015). First edition (2005) available in Open Access via Archive.org.
  • J. P. Allen, A Grammar of the Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts Volume I: Unis (2017). Available via the publisher, and major online retailers.
  • R. Bertrand, Las Textes de la Pyramid d’Ounas (2004). Available via the publisher.
  • W. M. Davis, ‘The Ascension-Myth in the Pyramid Texts’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 36 (1977), 161—179. JSTOR.
  • J. Hellum, ‘The Presence of Myth in the Pyramid Texts’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Toronto (2001). Online.
  • J. Hellum, ‘Toward an Understanding of the Use of Myth in the Pyramid Texts’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 43 (2014), 123—142. Academia.edu.
  • H.-J. Klimkeit, ‘Spatial Orientation in Mythical Thinking as Exemplified in Ancient Egypt: Considerations toward a Geography of Religions’, History of Religions 14 (1975), 266—281. JSTOR.
  • A. J. Morales, ‘The Transmission of the Pyramid Texts into the Middle Kingdom: Philological Aspects of a Continuous Tradition in Egyptian Mortuary Literature’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Pennsylvania (2013). Academia.edu.
  • D. Stewart, ‘The Myth of Osiris in the Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, Monash University (2014). Online.

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The Osiris achieves his apotheosis. Having awakened from death and received his offerings (or taken them by force), Unas now prepares to enter the sky at last. We add more protections and defeat more enemies (including a dramatic appearance from the fearsome Mafdet). Then, Unas meets the oldest of primeval gods, sails the milky way, and hears the lamentations of his enemies’ women…

Includes passages in English translation and ancient Egyptian.

The Pyramid Texts publications:

  • J. P. Allen, The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts (2nd edn, 2015). First edition (2005) available in Open Access via Archive.org.
  • J. P. Allen, A Grammar of the Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts Volume I: Unis (2017). Available via the publisher, and major online retailers.
  • R. Bertrand, Las Textes de la Pyramid d’Ounas (2004). Available via the publisher.

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We leave the Duat and enter the horizon. On the walls of the antechamber, Unas’ Pyramid Texts describe the king’s entry to the sky. The ruler establishes and affirms his power. And, in a famous passage, Unas engages in some ritual cannibalism…

Includes passages in English translation and ancient Egyptian.

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We travel deeper into the stars. Unas’ Pyramid Texts, on the walls of his burial chamber, lay out protections against serpents and dangers. They also introduce offerings, to sustain the King’s soul and nourish the gods.

Includes passages in English translation and ancient Egyptian.

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Unas in the sky with deities. Around 2320 BCE, King Unas did something interesting. His pyramid, at Saqqraa, is the first (surviving) monument to feature the Pyramid Texts. These elaborate hieroglyph texts reveal the religious rituals, references, and philosophy of the Old Kingdom Egyptians. In this episode, we begin a journey deep into the night and up to the sky, as King Unas travels to his immortality…

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The daughters of Akhenaten and Nefertiti were not just "ornaments" for their parents. Like many princesses, they also participated in the religious rituals and royal pageantry of the Egyptian government. In this interview, Courtney Marx (MA, George Mason University) joins us on behalf of the American Research Center in Egypt, to discuss the Amarna princesses and their role as priestesses. We also explore the history of royal women as priestesses and the unique roles they played in the temple rituals. Finally, we explore the aftermath of Amarna: how the visible roles, titles, and imagery of princesses changed following the death of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

The American Research Center in Egypt is celebrating 75 years of work in the Nile Valley. Dedicated to scholarship of the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds, the ARCE supports researchers and students, funds archaeological and scholarly work, and organises many public outreach programs. Learn more about ARCE at their website and follow the ARCE Podcast online and on all podcasting apps.

Logo image: Block fragment showing two Amarna princesses (Metropolitan Museum of Art 1985.328.6). Photo by Courtney Marx.

Further reading (provided by Courtney Marx):

  • Ayad, Mariam F. “The God's Wife of Amun: origins and rise to power.” In Carney, Elizabeth D. and Sabine Müller (eds), The Routledge companion to women and monarchy in the ancient Mediterranean world, 47-60. New York: Routledge, 2021.
  • Ayad, Mariam F. God's Wife, God's Servant: The God's Wife of Amun (ca.740–525 BC). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2009.
  • Bryan, Betsy M. “Property and the God’s Wives of Amun.” In D. Lyons and R. Westbrook, eds. Women and Property in Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Societies. Washington, DC: Center For Hellenic Studies, Harvard University, 2005.
  • Pawlicki, Franciszek. Princess Neferure in the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari: Failed Heiress to the Pharaoh’s Throne? Études et Travaux 21, 109-127. 2007.
  • Xekalaki, Georgia. Symbolism in the Representation of Royal Children During the New Kingdom. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2011.
  • Troy, Lana. “Patterns of Queenship in Ancient Egyptian Myth and History.” PhD diss., Uppsala University, 1986.
  • Williamson, Jacquelyn. “Death and the Sun Temple: New Evidence for Private Mortuary Cults at Amarna.” The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 103, no. 1 (June 2017): 117–123. 

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Following a complicated rise-to-power, King Men-kheper-Ra Djehuty-messu (aka Thutmose III) achieved great victories on the battlefield. His campaigns extended far to the north and south, bringing tribute and captives into Egypt. At home, Thutmose’s building projects were enormous and elaborate. And over fifty-four years of rule, the King’s followers established a legendary reputation…

Date: c.1495 - 1441 BCE.

Episode Chapters:

  • Part Five - Wives and Warriors: 00:01 - 01:26:22.
  • Part Six - Revisions to the Past: 01:26:22 - 02:38:29.
  • Part Seven - Fifty Four Years of Splendour, and the End: 02:38:29 - End.

Logo image: Decorated block of Thutmose III, Luxor Museum. Photo by Dominic Perry.

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At the height of the 18th Dynasty (c.1495 - 1441 BCE), King Men-kheper-Ra Djehuty-messu (aka Thutmose III) ruled Egypt. The start of his reign was unusual, with power wielded primarily by the Queen-King Hatshepsut. But following Hatshepsut's death, Thutmose would rise to the challenges of rule. In this episode, we explore the King's upbringing, his rise-to-power, and the famous Battle of Megiddo.

Compilation of previously released material.

Date: c.1495 - 1441 BCE.

Episode Chapters:

  • Part One - Little King Thutmose: 02:20 - 37:25.
  • Part Two - The Battle of Megiddo: 37:25 - 01:10:30.
  • Part Three - Campaigns of Victory (Thutmose at War): 01:10:30 - 01:50:05.
  • Part Four - Fighting and Festivals (War Stories and Heb Sed): 01:50:05 - End.

Logo image: Statue of Thutmose III, Luxor Museum. Photo by Dominic Perry.

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In New Kingdom Egypt (c.1500 – 1150 BCE), the rulers and people of the Nile Valley communicated extensively with their eastern neighbours. Trade and diplomacy were far more common than outright conflict. And the Egyptian pharaohs were highly regarded in distant courts. These contacts survive in the archaeological record: detailed texts recording interactions; shipwrecks carrying cargo from the Egyptian court; and even tombs recording the high status of foreigners serving the pharaoh himself.

Compilation of previously released material.

Logo image: A wooden statue head from the tomb of Aper-el / Abdiel. Saqqara, Imhotep Museum, photo by Dominic Perry 2024.

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