DominicPerry

The scribe Nykare, who lived in the Fifth Dynasty

Episode 14: The Joy of Re's Heart

Niuserre (Part II): Hasty Burials, and Elite Culture Coming to the throne after the premature death of his brother, Niuserre Ini must rapidly complete his predecessor's burial. He must also complete the…

2500 – 2350 BCE: The Fifth Dynasty

Episode 13: The Hairdressers Cometh

Niuserre and the Up-and-Comers.The new ruler Niuserre, son of Neferirkare, has taken the crown after the passing of his uncle Raneferef. And the times they are a-changing, with an interesting new…

2500 – 2350 BCE: The Fifth Dynasty

Episode 12: I Make the Soul Beautiful

Neferirkare and Khentykaus IIThe reign of Sahure draws to a close, and soon the throne passes to his mature son Neferirkare Kakai ("I make beautiful the soul of Re"). The great wife…

2500 – 2350 BCE: The Fifth Dynasty

Episode 11: Off To Punt We Go

Off to punt we goUserkaf passes the throne to his son, Sahure ("One Who is Close to Re"). For the first time in recorded history, a royal fleet is dispatched from Egypt's…

2500 – 2350 BCE: The Fifth Dynasty

Episode 10: A Temple to the Sun

The Fifth Dynasty Ascends Shepseskaf ends the Fourth Dynasty, and his brother Userkaf begins a new one. How do we define the end of one “period” and the beginning of another? In this…

2700 – 2500 BCE: The Third and Fourth Dynasties

Episode 9: She Is Foremost

Powerful Women of the Fourth DynastyAround 2500 BCE, the Fourth Dynasty is ending. Menakaure (ep. 8) passes without heir, and the throne is unstable. So, a royal woman steps into the…

An alabaster head of Menkaure, discovered in his Valley Temple at Giza

2700 – 2500 BCE: The Third and Fourth Dynasties

Episode 8: That Which I Own

Menkaure and the Third Giza Pyramid. The furious work at Giza continues, as Khafre's son Menkaure takes the throne. Opting for a smaller - but more exquisitely constructed - monument, the…

2700 – 2500 BCE: The Third and Fourth Dynasties

Episode 7: He Appears Like Re

Khafre and the Second Giza Pyramid.Around 2565 BCE, the great Khufu passes into legend; now the throne comes to a new generation. His son Djed-ef-Re takes power (for a short…

2700 – 2500 BCE: The Third and Fourth Dynasties General Topics Mini Episodes

Mini Episode: Tales of Wonder

In a short break from the narrative, we explore three tales set in the reigns of Sneferu and Khufu (4th Dynasty, c.2480 BCE). Listen on BibliographyNicolas Grimal, A History of…

2700 – 2500 BCE: The Third and Fourth Dynasties

Episode 6: The Ram-God Protects Him

Khufu and the Great PyramidBy 2590 BCE, the Fourth Dynasty is in full swing. Sneferu's son, Khnum-Khufu now comes to power; like his father, he decides to surpass his predecessor…