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…
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.…
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…
First Intermediate Period (Part I): Collapse? We jump head slightly in time. By 2100 BCE Pepy II is gone, and with him the last securely-documented reign of the Old Kingdom.…
Pepy II (Part III): The End of the Old Kingdom Pepy II reaches his twilight years, and Egypt is in trouble. Drought strikes the Near East, increasing desertification and reducing…
Pepy II (Part II): Authority Abroad. Twenty-five ears into his reign, Pepy II is established in power. But can this monarch rule effectively on his own, without the guidance he…
Pepy II (Part I): the Child King At just six-years old, the new King of Upper and Lower Egypt Pepy II cannot possibly exercise power on his own. Enter his mother, Ankh-enes-Pepy,…
Weni the Elder (Part II): Service in the South Following his admirable service to Pepy I thus far, Weni the Elder is then dispatched south to Upper Egypt, to serve as…
Pepy I & Weni the Elder (Part I) After Teti's assassination(?), Pepy I finds it difficult to assert his authority. He must battle a usurper, Userkare and a conspiracy against his…
Teti (Part II): The Murder of a King? All is not well within the court. Although Teti has ensconced himself on the throne, conspiracies may have formed against him. The Greek Manetho (c.280…