The Puppeteer. When the old methods are failing, a kingdom needs a new perspective. Across three thousand years, only a few women took power as a “King” in Egypt. One of these was TAUSRET, wife of Sety II and daughter-in-law of Merneptah. When the royal line crumbled, Tausret took power into her own hands. And as Total War: Pharaoh begins, she is ready to do what her relatives and rivals will not… Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes...

The Successor and the Brute. Legitimacy is no guarantee of peace. King SETY II, son of Merneptah, is a powerful leader in Total War: Pharaoh. Historically, this King enjoyed a smooth inheritance and accession. But all the legitimacy in the world could not protect his rule... Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. See the History of Egypt Podcast on all podcasting apps and at...

The Gilded Rebel. One may seize power, by any means, as long as they succeed. In Total War: Pharaoh, the prince AMENMESSE is a strong-willed and strong-armed warrior. Taking command of his faction, you may build a mighty (and wealthy) powerbase, before taking the crown for yourself. Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. See the History of Egypt Podcast on all podcasting apps and at...

Begotten by the sun god. The "last great pharaoh," RAMESSES (aka Ramesses III) is a warrior and a builder. In Total War: Pharaoh, you will lead this man to victory over his rivals, and remake Egypt in your image… Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. See the History of Egypt Podcast on all podcasting apps and at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Select references: D. D. Baker, Encyclopedia of...

The Legacy and the Loss. As Total War: Pharaoh begins, Egypt lives under the rule of MERNEPTAH. A mighty pharaoh, Merneptah has accomplished much in peace and war. But the King is aging, his journey will soon end, and his legacy will be complicated… NOTE: We will discuss Merneptah's Canaanite wars in an upcoming episode (about Bay, Irsu, and that region). This was mentioned in episode but some folks may have missed that. Please be patient and let the episodes tell their story :) Preview and...

Welcome to The History of Egypt Podcast and Total War: Pharaoh! In this brief introduction, I explain the coming episodes and the historical background of Creative Assembly’s new game… Preview and purchase Total War: Pharaoh at https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/. Music in all episodes by Richard Beddow © Creative Assembly 2023. See the History of Egypt Podcast on all podcasting apps and at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Special Tomb Kings episode:...

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...

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:...

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...

Hello folks! Time for a schedule update. In late 2023, the podcast narrative will be taking an eight-week break. Plus we have a giveaway! Details inside. Giveaway available to New Zealand listeners (or anyone visiting NZ in September 2023). Email [email protected] with your name and email address, to enter. 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...

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...

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. Music intro: Keith Zizza. Music interludes and outro: Luke Chaos. Texts: Kenneth Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptionsvolume 1. Hieroglyph...

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. Music intro and...

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...

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...

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. Music: Luke Chaos. Interludes: Keith Zizza, Luke Chaos, Hathor Systrum. The Battle Reliefs of Sety I by The Epigraphic...

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....

Sety I (Part 4): Catching Up with the Kadeshians. Around 1300 BCE (chronology uncertain), Sety led another campaign into the north. This time, the pharaoh of Egypt marched into Canaan, Lebanon, and Syria. In the process, he visited local chieftains, went “shopping” for luxury items, and then launched a daring attack on Kadesh… Details and sources: Date: c. 1300 BCE. Intro Music: Bettina Joy de Guzman. Interludes: Keith Zizza. Outro music and interludes: Luke Chaos. Website blog post:...

Regrettably, I am unsatisfied with the quality of episode 182 in its current form. I am postponing the script to revise and rewrite it. Unfortunately, that means no new episode this week. Thank you for your patience! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History Daily is your regular introduction to major events and stories. Every weekday, new stories arrive on topics ranging from war and fashion, culture and politics, religion and technology. Episodes run 18-20 minutes on average, providing a bite-sized exploration to major topics. Enjoy a special introduction to the show, covering one of the major events of the French Revolution. In 1893, the execution of King Louis XVI helped expand the crisis known as the Revolutionary Wars, a crisis that...

Sety I (Part 3): The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak. In 1302 BCE (approximately) the pharaoh of Egypt Men-Ma’at-Ra Sety I commissioned a remarkable monument. A hall of columns, near the entrance of Karnak sanctuary, would be a gathering place for the gods and the faithful. This hall, called “Sety is Effective in the House of Amun,” is now one of Egypt’s most famous (and most photographed) monuments… Details and sources: Date: c. 1302 BCE (Year 2 of Sety I). Music: Keith Zizza and Bettina...

Sety I (Part 2): The First Campaign of Victory. In1302 BCE, the pharaoh Men-Ma'at-Ra Sety I led a military expedition to the east. He attacked the Bedouin ("Shasu") in Sinai. Then, he turned his sights on Canaan. The new King was an active warlord, aggressive and eager to fight. Thanks to records at Karnak and elsewhere, we can trace his assault... Date: c. 1302 BCE (March - June). Music: Ancient Lyric and Luke Chaos. Sources: The war reliefs of Sety I, at Karnak, via the University of...

Sety I (Part 1): A Repeat Appearance. In 1303 BCE, the old king Ramesses is dead after a brief reign. But now, for the first time in decades, a royal son is taking power. King Sety (Men-ma'at-Ra) ascends, aged approximately thirty years old. The new ruler's reign will be noteworthy for its splendid monuments and its abundant records. In fact, as his reign begins, we can even trace his movements on a week-to-week basis... Video version of Sety's coronation imagery available on YouTube. Note:...

Peter Brand (Part 2): Ramesses I and Sety I. The start of Egypt's 19th Dynasty saw two significant reigns. Ramesses I, though short-lived, established a new regime and legacy. His son, Sety I, confirmed that legacy and expanded it magnificently. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand continues his conversation about the early Ramessids. How they legitimized their rule, how they differed from their predecessors, and how they responded to recent political events (e.g. the Amarna Period). Dr....