The History of Egypt Podcast

After a long life and successful reign, Ma'at-Ka-Re Hatshepsut died. We wrap up her story, review her legacy, and review some standout events. Plus, we dig into the mystery of her…

What does the word Pharaoh actually mean? In this mini episode we explore the origins of the term, how it evolved in the New Kingdom, and why I've rarely used it in the podcast (un…

Kara (Kathlyn) Cooney is professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). In this interview, we discuss her book The Woman Who Would b…

The Punt Expedition and the Speos Artemidos. We take a short break from the narrative, to explore two important texts from Hatshepsut's reign. These are the records of the Punt Exp…

A Sed-Festival. By 1485 BCE, Hatshepsut's subjects were bustling to prepare her grand jubilee. The sed-festival, held in year 16, celebrated an anniversary. But, an anniversary of…

Hatshepsut's Trusted Advisor. As Hatshepsut's power grew, so did that of Senenmut. A royal courtier, Senenmut found his career accelerating in tandem with the new King. In this epi…

In 1488 BCE, King Hatshepsut launched her most famous project. A fleet of ships sailed down the Red Sea coast, in order to visit the land of Punt. There, they gathered trade goods,…

Amun Creates Hatshepsut. In a short break, we explore the tale Hatshepsut told about her origins. She ascribed her creation and birth to the King of the Gods, Amun-Ra himself. In t…

In 1488 BCE, Hatshepsut made her most daring move. She pushed her newphew (Thutmose III) to one side and proclaimed herself King of Upper and Lower Egypt. At a stroke, Egypt had tw…

Hatshepsut (Part 1): Gathering Power. For the first five years of her rule, Hatshepsut was (officially) a caretaker for the throne. But power inevitably gathered around the powerfu…

Introducing Hatshepsut. For a decade or more, King Thutmose I ruled a stable kingdom. Unfortunately, this king gets overshadowed by his daughter, whom he may have groomed for power…

Terrible deeds... and great. In his first few years King Thutmose I led campaigns, managed his household, and commissioned his royal tomb. He launched a campaign into Nubia, pursui…

Conquering Syria. Around 1519 BCE a new King came to power. Thutmose I (Aa-kheper-ka-Re) immediately began securing his rule. He married a cousin (or sister) of his predecessor, th…

Amunhotep I and the Splendour of Thebes. The podcast returns from hiatus, following the death of a close family member. Around 1530 BCE, King Ahmose I died and Amunhotep I came to…

Interlude: Dance the Magic Dance! Egyptians had many festivals, and they celebrated these with great energy. Whether it was dancing for a wealthy hostess, or leaping over charging…

Warfare Along the Nile. Around 1550 BCE, King Ahmose I reunified Egypt and expelled the Hyksos lords. Historically, the Second Intermediate Period ends and the New Kingdom begins.…

In 1560 BCE, Seqenenre Tao / Ta'a was dead. Killed in battle, the king's body lay on the field, beaten and bloody. Now, the task of ruling the southern kingdom fell to his wife Ahh…

Around 1560 BCE the King of Southern Egypt, Seqen-en-re Ta’a died. His end was violent and bloody. The king was a victim of (anonymous) foes, who tied him up and executed him. The…

Around 1560 BCE the Hyksos were supreme. Along with their allies (the Nubians of Kerma), the Hyksos dominated half of the country. Down in the southern regions, the kings of Dynast…

Second Intermediate Period (Part 2). How did the Hyksos take power? Around 1650 BCE, the 13th Dynasty crumbled away. Foreigners moving into Egypt over previous centuries now consol…