Mini Episode: Hathor Festivities
The religious year (3/12) The third month was called "Hathor" ("Athyr"). It was a time for renewing fertility and creative energies in the natural world. Festivals to the male god of…
Mini Episode: Opet Festivities
The Religious Year (2/12). In the month of Pa-Opet ("Phaophi") the Egyptians continued their long re-enactment of the myth of Osiris. They also celebrated a huge festival in honour of…
Mini Episode: The Egyptian New Year
The Egyptian Religious Year (Part 1/12) The Egyptian New Year began in the month called "Tekh." It heralded a month of important rituals: festivals of the Nile Flood (Hapi); festivals…
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
Mini Episode: The First Pharaohs
In this (quick) episode, I look at the word "Pharaoh." What it means, where it comes from, and why I hardly use it in the podcast (until now)...
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
Mini Episode: Inauguration Day
In a shameless tie-in with recent events, we take a look at how an Egyptian king was selected, and then crowned. The process could be more complicated than you might…
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
An Egyptian Horror Story
Happy Halloween!We explore some ghostly visitations; one man's attempt to gain the help of a long-dead spirit; some scoundrels scared straight by their encounters with the divine, and the Egyptian…
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
Mini-Episode: Dancers for God
Dancing the Magic Dance In a short break from our narrative, we meet some Egyptian entertainers. The lifestyles of the ancients involved many kinds of festivities: whether it was dancing…
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…
