Self-Made King (First Intermediate Period 04), 2024 Edition
The first phase is over, and the war is heating up. Around 2055 BCE (approximately), a lord of Waset/Thebes/Luxor named Intef I promotes himself far above the established norms. Sending…
Apophis Strikes (First Intermediate Period 03), 2024 Edition
Around 2060 BCE, the Overlord Ankhtyfy was riding high. Then, a crisis hit southern Egypt. Drought, food shortages, and famine swept through the region. From sites like Elephantine, Edfu, and…
Operations of the Overlord (First Intermediate Period 02), 2024 Edition
The rise of Ankhtyfy. In southern Egypt, a "Great Overlord" named Ankh-tyfy began to expand his power. From his home base at Nekhen (Hierakonpolis), he annexed neighbouring territories. He did…
Nile Divided (First Intermediate Period 01), 2024 Edition
By 2100 BCE, Egypt’s royal house was in trouble. A line of kings, known as the pr-Hty (“House of Khety”) claimed authority over the whole Nile Valley. But archaeological and…
Old Kingdom Warfare, 2024 Edition
Before the Fall (c.2600—2200 BCE). Early Egyptians were fierce and active warriors. Our evidence for the Old Kingdom “army,” however, is scattered and fragmentary. Sifting through the pieces, however, we…
Decline & Fall of the Old Kingdom (Part 2), 2024 Edition
Why did it all go so wrong? We’ve explored the historical overview of Old Kingdom decline; but what was driving it? There are three major factors that caused this fall.…
Decline & Fall of the Old Kingdom (Part 1), 2024 Edition
Why did the Old Kingdom disappear? Was it an overnight "collapse," or something more long term? In this episode, and the next, we explore the question in overview. This episode…
Posted inNews & Updates Podcast Admin
2025 Tour “Return to Amarna”
SOLD OUT, WAIT LIST ONLY Dear readers, We are now ready to announce a new tour for February 2025. The tour includes a return to Amarna (Akhet-Aten), to explore the city…
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
The Magnificent Seven Cleopatras (with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones)
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…
The Complete Pyramid Texts
Unas the Skywalker.The Pyramid Texts are Egypt’s oldest surviving corpus of religious literature. Appearing c.2350 BCE, in the monument of King Unas, the texts describe the King’s journey to the…
