Episodes

  • Kadesh: What Was It Good For? with Prof. Peter Brand

    Kadesh: What Was It Good For? with Prof. Peter Brand
    Sep 5 2025
    Why is the Battle of Kadesh so famous, compared to other ancient conflicts? What can we take away from Ramesses' account in terms of "truth" vs "rhetoric." And what did it all up to, really? Prof. Peter Brand returns to discuss the battle in great detail, from the blow-by-blow moments to the larger strategic and political context. Along the way, we learn why Ramesses is like Rambo, and take a whimsical visit to medieval Bohemia... I'll be doing a livestream about the "Art of Kadesh" on Sun 07 September (UK time). See it at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist Prof. Peter Brand’s book Ramesses II: Egypt’s Ultimate Pharaoh is available now through Lockwood Press and all good retailers. Other articles and publications by Prof. Peter Brand at Academia.edu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • 215: Ramesses II Cleaning Up Kadesh

    215: Ramesses II Cleaning Up Kadesh
    Aug 29 2025
    Who won? In the aftermath of battle, Ramesses and Muwattalli withdrew from Kadesh. We discuss the short- and long-term fallout and consider the "score card" for the respective armies. Then, we spend time with the wounded soldiers, using the Edwin Smith Papyrus to understand diagnoses and treatments used by ancient Egyptian physicians (swnw). Finally, we explore a curious hypothesis, suggesting that Ramesses practiced a form of "decimation" on his troops... Kadesh LIVESTREAM Sunday 07 September (UK time) on “The Art of Kadesh” via our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist Want more medicine? My interview with Dr. Bob Brier is available at https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mOg7BanFze6F4DYbSWT4K and my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/h8I6M7-czYA The Edwin Smith Papyrus: Breasted, J. H. (1930). The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus (Vols. 1–2) free online: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015027232282; For a modern medical approach, see Sanchez, G. M., & Meltzer, E. S. (2012). The Edwin Smith Papyrus: Updated Translation of the Trauma Treatise and Modern Medical Commentaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Update: Autocrat interview and Vintage Egyptologist online classes

    Update: Autocrat interview and Vintage Egyptologist online classes
    Aug 22 2025
    Howdy folks. In lieu of a narrative episode this week (while I recover from the quadruple-length Battle of Kadesh), I wanted to alert you to an interview I did for the Autocrat podcast (available on Spotify, YouTube, and the Autocrat website). In a lengthy conversation, we explore the full gamut of Egyptian history from the Creation, through Pharaonic era, the Late Bronze Age Collapse, and up to the Roman Empire in Egypt (and the "last hieroglyphs" ever recorded). It's a fun conversation, please check it out! Autocrat Podcast Website. I include an excerpt from the interview here about a recent article discussing Hatshepsut's shattered statues. Additionally, Dr. Colleen Darnell the Vintage Egyptologist will be joining us on the show soon to discuss New Kingdom military hero tales. Dr. Darnell runs regular online classes about ancient Egypt, which you can find at her website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • 214: Ramesses II The Battle of Kadesh

    214: Ramesses II The Battle of Kadesh
    Aug 15 2025
    In June of 1287 BCE (approximately), one of antiquity’s great conflicts unfolded in southern Syria. Meeting near Kadesh (Qidsha), the armies of Egypt and Hatti fought each other in a spectacular engagement. The events of that battle are recorded, somewhat grandiosely, by Ramesses II in temple art and extended hieroglyph narratives. With those as our foundation, we explore the most dramatic day in the young pharaoh’s life. CHAPTERS 0:00 - Prologue 5:45 - Part 1: A Red Dawn 23:46 - Part 2: Sekhet Pay 42:20 - Part 3: Sutech and Ba'al 1:01:31 - Part 4: Doubling Down 1:21:56 - Part 5: White, Black, Red 1:48:58 - Part 6: Wrapping Up == The History of Egypt Podcast: Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU. We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 59 mins
  • 213: Ramesses II Seven Nation Army

    213: Ramesses II Seven Nation Army
    Aug 8 2025
    Ramesses, Muwattalli, and the Trojans(?). In June of 1287 BCE, the Great Kings of Hatti and Egypt were on the verge of a major confrontation. Ramesses, marching across Sinai and into Canaan, made careful preparations for his assault on Kadesh. Alas, even the best-planned campaign could not be hidden from a watchful enemy. In Hatti, Muwattalli II sent calls to his vassals, summoning them to fight. The Hittite army, and its allies, is a remarkably well-documented force... For the Kikkuli Text of horse training, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kikkuli and https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/orbis:9782188. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • 212: Ramesses II The Arsenal of Pharaohcracy

    212: Ramesses II The Arsenal of Pharaohcracy
    Aug 1 2025
    Preparing for Kadesh. In 1287 BCE (late in his fifth regnal year) King Ramesses II departed Egypt on campaign. His target? The city of Kadesh / Qidsha in southern Syria. The Kadesh campaign is famous, as one of history’s “great battles.” Today, we “set the scene,” and explore the preparations for this war. We have a surprisingly detailed picture of this, thanks to inscriptions, art, and excavations. From a new royal city, Pi-Ramesses, to the enormous scale of the army, to the diplomatic manouevres (and espionage) that would accompany this campaign… the preparations for Kadesh are almost as elaborate as the battle itself. Learn more at the Qantir-Piramesse archaeological project: https://qantir-piramesse.de/home/ort/ Digital reconstruction of Pi-Ramesses, incl. its stables, at Artefacts Berlin: https://www.artefacts-berlin.de/portfolio-item/the-reconstruction-of-pi-ramesse/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Kadesh: The 200 Year Enemy with Prof. Peter Brand

    Kadesh: The 200 Year Enemy with Prof. Peter Brand
    Jul 25 2025
    Leading up to the Battle of Kadesh (c.1287 BCE) betwen Ramesses II of Egypt and Muwatalli II of Hatti, we need to understand the background. Why was this city the epicentre of such a major conflict? How did the rulers of Kadesh (Kadeshians?) persistently frustrate pharaohs dating back two centuries to Thutmose III (c.1480 BCE). Today, Prof. Peter Brand (University of Memphis) gives us the details... Learn more about Ramesses and Kadesh in Peter Brand's book Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh (Lockwood Press). Prof. Peter Brand at Academia.edu. Interview recorded: May 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Ancient Egyptian Curse / Swear Words

    Ancient Egyptian Curse / Swear Words
    Jul 18 2025
    We learn how to insult someone in ancient Egyptian, based on the surviving texts... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins