Episode 50: Between Two Worlds
Personal and Political Crises in 1776 BCE Dynasty 12 ends with a remarkable twist: Neferu-Sobek, a woman, takes the throne and rules as a King. Her reign lasts three years,…
Episode 49: From One Era to Another
Amenemhat IV: Dynasty 12 Nears Its End The nine-year reign of Maacheru-Re Amenemhat IV are unremarkable, but Egypt is entering into a fascinating period of international visibility. Foreigners from Canaan are moving…
Episode 48: End of an Era
Late Days of Dynasty XII.Ny-ma'at-Re Amenemhat III is the last all-powerful ruler of Dynasty 12. In his 46 years of rule (1845-1798 BCE) there are notable expeditions and settlements in…
Episode 47: Strong Ruler(s)
Senuseret III (Part V): Bean Counters, Surveyors and GossipsFrom 1865-45 BCE Egypt is quiet. Senuseret III comes to the end of his reign in either regnal year 19, or regnal…
Episode 46: Crushing Our Enemies
Senuseret III (Part IV): Fortifying Our Borders, Destroying Our Foes1864 BCE, regnal year 16 of Kha-kau-Re Senuseret III. The king launches another campaign into Nubia, which sees the border set at…
Episode 45: The Book of Two Ways.
Senuseret III (Part III): The Coffin TextsCirca 1867 BCE the cultural products of Egypt are developing rapidly. As part of a generations-long process, the aristocracy are now taking a greater share…
Episode 44: The Shipwrecked Sailor
A Fable of the Sea.Sometime during the Twelfth Dynasty, a folk-tale was composed (or became popular) that would echo through the ages as one of Egypt's most enduring tales.The Shipwrecked…
Episode 43: Dominion Over All
Senuseret III (Part II): Society and Death.The power of King Kha-kau-Re Senuseret III is absolute and the wealthy elite are responding accordingly. Abandoning the recent trend of building tombs in their hometowns, many officials…
Episode 42: Underworld
Senuseret III (Part I): The Secret TombsAround 1880 BCE, one of Egypt's most legendary kings takes the throne of the Two Lands: Kha-kau-Re Senuseret III ("The Kas of Re Appear in Glory"). He…
Episode 41: The Oasis
Senuseret II and the Faiyum Oasis.In c.1892 BCE a new king is on the throne. Kha-kheper-Re Senuseret II is a minor king who hasn't left a particularly grand legacy. However, he is…
