The History of Egypt Podcast

It’s time, once again, to think about visiting Egypt. I just returned from a tour in March, taking a group through the Nile Valley, and we had a great time. Egypt is quite safe, an…

Hybrid episode (narrative & interivew). The Hittite Queen, Maat-Hor-Neferura, may have been surprised to find she wasn't the only King's Great Wife. In fact, Ramesses had already t…

Married before first sight. In regnal year 34 (1259 BCE) Ramesses welcomed a princess of Hatti. Sent by her father Hattusili and mother Puduhepa, the (anonymous) princess came to E…

New Egyptology podcast! Voices of Ancient Egypt is "the podcast for people who don’t just want to learn about ancient Egypt, but want to understand it at a deeper, more meaningful…

Campbell Price is Curator of Egypt & Sudan at Manchester Museum. Enthusiasts will know him from the books Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries and Golden Mummies of Egypt. Interpreting…

This week we’re sharing a special episode from Lost Roman Heroes, recently named a “must-listen history podcast” by Amazon Music and named one of the "Best Ancient History Podcasts…

The prince Kha-em-Waset (lived c.1260 BCE) was a learned man, and an accomplished priest. Centuries after his death, storytellers remembered the prince as a sage and magician. They…

In 1263 BCE, priests announced the death of the APIS BULL. Sacred to Ptah, the bull dwelled in the temple at Men-nefer (Memphis). Now, in year 30 of Ramesses II, the King's son KHA…

Loss and rejuvenation. Ramesses third decade in power was a time of death. The King's Great Wife Nefertari passed around year 25. Almost simultaneously, his mother Tuya, his second…

What is the true name of god? Once upon a time, Ra ruled the earth directly. But the great goddess Iset/Isis desired to know his private name, the one hidden from all outsiders. A…

The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the masterpieces of New Kingdom funerary monuments. The tomb is stunningly preserved, with an array of exquisite images, evocative texts (from…

The rise and reign of Nefertari (Nefret-Iry, "She Has Become Beautiful"). A girl of unknown origins (but some tantalising possibilites) who would rise to the rank of King's Chief/G…

In the Cretaceous Period (c.100 million years ago) Egypt and North Africa were radically different environments. With vast tidal flats and mangroves, and a shallow sea, the contine…

In this mini episode, I explain the history and significance of the new complex (why does Egypt need a billion-dollar museum?) and discuss what will happen to Cairo's other major i…

The winter 2025/26 excavation season is underway, and lots of news is coming forth already. Let's explore the major finds! Chapters: The GEM is open 00:30. Scans at Menkaura's pyra…

Divine intermediaries. Ramesses II commissioned many statues, some of which are among the largest ever quarried. From the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, to the bedrock of Aswa…

Egyptian-Hittite Diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Treaty, Ramesses II and Hattusili III got down to business establishing their brotherhood. From prospective summits in Canaan, t…

The ultimate pharaoh makes the ultimate agreement. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand offers us his insights on the cultures of Egypt and Hatti around the time of the Year 21 Tre…

The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty. In regnal year 21 (c.1272 BCE), Ramesses II announced a treaty with Hattusili III. The two kings united in "peace and brotherhood, forever," and agreed…

The later wars of Ramesses II (Years 8 to 15). Following Kadesh, Ramesses led or despatched further campaigns into Canaan and Syria. These battles are documented on his temple wall…