The History of Egypt Podcast

Caregiver and Tutor. Young Tut’ankhamun had multiple caregivers. We have already met Maia, the menat of the King. Now, we meet Sen-nedjem, the menay. From his large (but overlooked) tomb, Sen-nedjem left a record of his work, family, and beliefs. We explore this monument and get a sense of his world… Date: c. 1353 – 1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Jeffrey Goodman. Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One who nourished the god. Tut’ankhamun never refers to his birth mother. And until 1996, historians had little idea of the person who raised this young pharaoh. That changed with the discovery of Maia, the royal menat (wet-nurse and teacher). The opening of her tomb, at Saqqara, dramatically expanded our understanding of Tut’ankhamun’s early life. Today, we dive deep into Maia’s career and place in society... Date: c. 1353 – 1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music and "Maia" vocal performance by Ancient Lyric. Special music by Luke Chaos. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Music by Jeffrey Goodman. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network. Read Prof. Alain Zivie’s discussion of Maia and the princess Meritaten at Academia.edu. Logo and Banner images from Zivie, La Tombe de Maïa, 2009 (edited for clarity).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When archaeologists opened the tomb King Tut'ankhamun, they found many of his childhood possessions inside. Today, we can get a sense of his life by looking at his games, toys, and clothes. Date: c. 1353 – 1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Ancient Lyric. Music by Jeffrey Goodman. YouTube: Dr. Irving Finkel plays the Royal Game of Ur with Tom Scott. Dig It with Raven plays the Royal Game of Ur in Two Parts (Part 1 and Part 2). Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From baby to boy. For all his fame and glamour, the life of Tut'ankhamun was more difficult than it seems. The young king dealt with physical challenges and a social environment that treated him as an "idea," more than a person. Today, studies of his mummy give us clues at his early life... Date c.1353 – 1343 BCE ww.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Jeffrey Goodman. Music by Ancient Lyric. Music by Keith Zizza. Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Interlude: The greatest treachery. By the end of Akhenaten's reign, events in Syria had developed their own momentum. Rulers like Aziru, prince of Amurru, were causing trouble. Akhenaten had to deal with Aziru as best he could. But the death of Akhenaten interrupted any reconciliation. Soon after, Aziru was looking to other opportunities... Date c.1345 – 1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Michael Levy. Music by Keith Zizza. Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. Support the show and get exclusive perks on Patreon. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order! Cover image adapted from Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Interlude: Warlords and Adventurers. In the second millennium BCE, a new power rose to the north of Egypt. The Kingdom of Hatti (aka the land of the Hittites) emerged as a significant political, economic, and military force. In this episode, we introduce the Hittite state and its early deeds before the reign of Tut'ankhamun. Date c.1790 – 1350 BCE. Music by Michael Levy. Music by Keith Zizza. Episode logo adapted from a photo by Carole Raddato via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0. Image cropped/enhanced. Check out the new Hittite series on The Ancient World Pocast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A remarkable discovery. In April 2021, Egyptologists working in Luxor announced a major discovery. A new “lost” city, associated with Amunhotep III (and probably Akhenaten as well). In this brief roundup, we discuss the details, the context, and the significance of the find. Date c.1350 BCE and 2021 CE. Links to photos and videos at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Ancient Lyric.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Egypt on the offensive. King Tutankhamun's government had to deal with major threats in the north. Instability and regional warfare had spread through Syria and Canaan. To tackle these, pharaoh despatched his most prominent general. Horemheb, representative of the King, led the soldiers of Egypt into battle... Date c.1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com, Support the Show at Patreont, Music by Keith Zizza, Music by Ancient Lyric, Music by Jeffrey Goodman. Hear the trumpets of Tutankhamun on BBC Radio. The History of Egypt Podcast is supported by RA EGYPTIAN, the natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egypt. Visit www.ra-egyptian.com and use the checkout code EGYPT to receive a massive 30% discount on your order.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Splendour and Ceremony. On April 3rd, 2021, Egypt hosted a magnificent celebration. Royal mummies, including Kings and Queens, departed their old home and made for a new one. In future, these rulers will reside in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Moving the royal mummies was a complex, grandiose event. I report on the parade, and the historical background of these famous mummies… Recordings of the parade on YouTube; musical performance by Amira Salim and Ahmed Mounib; Cairo residents cheer the parade, by Rania Atef on Twitter; details of the performance by Heba Abd el Gawad on Twitter; Photos at Ahram. Further details, links, images, and references at The History of Egypt Podcast website.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A complicated career. In the reigns of Akhenaten and Tut'ankhamun, one of Egypt's top religious officials was Mery-Neith ("Beloved of Neith"). This man served in the temples, first as a Steward, then as the High Priest of Aten in Amarna. Along the way, Meryneith had to navigate the difficult political waters. To survive in Akhenaten's court, he even had to change his name... Date c.1360 – 1340 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Ancient Lyric. Support the show and get exclusive perks on Patreon. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm bringing ma'at back. One of Tutankhamun's famous projects is the Restoration, a country-wide program of repairs and gifts for major temples. After the excesses of Akhenaten, the boy king and his government invested massive amounts of resources. Their goal? Renew the temples, replenish the priesthood, and curry favour with both the gods and the elites of Egyptian society... Date c.1341 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com, Support the Show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast, Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. The History of Egypt Podcast is supported by RA EGYPTIAN, the natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egypt. Visit www.ra-egyptian.com and use the checkout code EGYPT to receive a massive 30% discount on your order.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You know his name. Early in his reign, the young pharaoh Tut-ankh-Aten changed his name to Tut-ankh-Amun. Why did he do this? What did it mean? And how much control did this young ruler have over his own identity? Date c.1343 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com, Support the Show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Music by Keith Zizza, Music by Ancient Lyric, Music by Jeffrey Goodman, Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. See other shows from the Agora Podcast Network. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A famous reign. Following the death of Nefer-neferu-aten, a new ruler came to the throne. Tut-ankh-Aten was young, perhaps nine years old. He inherited power at a tumultuous point in history... Date c. 1343 BCE. Images and References at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show and get exclusive perks on Patreon or make a Paypal Donation. Music by Keith Zizza. Additional music by Jeffrey Goodman. Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. Written by Dominic Perry. The History of Egypt Podcast endorses RA EGYPTIAN, the clean, natural skincare line with products derived from ancient Egyptian sources. Use the checkout code EGYPT to enjoy 30% off your order!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In January 2022, I would like to take another tour to Egypt. Assuming travel is safe and secure, we have a 14-day itinerary for travel along the Nile. We will visit Cairo, Luxor, Abydos, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and many monuments that are off the beaten track. There are special tombs, not open to the general public, and much more. You can reserve your place now (pay later) at Ancient World Tours. Numbers are limited, so don't wait! www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/the-history-of-egypt/, additional info at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does a mummy smell like? Prof. Ann Rosalie David is a pioneering researcher in mummies and ancient pathology. Having led many studies on Egyptian bodies, Prof. David helps reconstruct the lifestyles of the past. In this interview, she helpfully answers questions about ancient diseases, the Amarna royal mummies, and some left-field topics as well. Learn more about Ann Rosalie David and her work at Manchester University. Purchase "A Year in the Life of Ancient Egypt," by Rosalie David at Pen & Sword Publishing (Kindle, Hardcover, and ePub). Music by Ancient Lyric www.bettinajoydeguzman.com, Sound effects by Keith Zizza keithzizza.com and Hathor Systrum. Images and references at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com, Support the Show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.