How does Ramesses II stack up to his predecessors? Why did ancient writers connect him with the Trojan War? In this episode we explore tales of Ramesses, told in antiquity, and consider his legacy in the modern world.
Music: Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos.
Bibliography
Brand, P. (2010a). Reuse and Restoration. In W. Wendrich (Ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egypto ... Show More
Jun 8
235: Ramesses the Great God
In 1226 BCE, his sixty-seventh year of rule, the long life of Ramesses II finally ended. We explore his final decades, the difficult life revealed by his mummy, his ascent to status of "living god," and the aftermath of his reign. Music: Luke Chaos. Support the History of Egypt a ... Show More
30m 38s
May 25
234: Destroying Amarna / Splitting Heirs
Sometime in Ramesses II's reign, royal artisans dismantled the city of Akhet-Aten (Amarna). Carefully, methodically, they removed the talatat blocks and carted them away to the nearby town Hemenu (Hermopolis) for reuse in a temple. This demolition of the Horizon of Aten remains a ... Show More
28m 20s
May 18
233: Friendship in Dark Times (The Bronze Age Collapse Begins?)
Ramesses and Hattusili (Part 2). After the marriage to a Hittite princess in Year 34, Ramesses II had much to offer his northern family. A visit from the King of Hatti's son, seeking food supplies, may relate to repeated hunger crises in Syria and Hatti. Pharaoh's support brought ... Show More
34m 51s
Apr 2025
The Egyptian Sphinx
Measuring 240 feet long from paw to tail, and around the height of a six-story building, the Great Sphinx is one of Egypt’s most spectacular, and mysterious, monuments. Believed to have been built over four millennia ago, much of its story has been lost to history, and the rest i ... Show More
56 m
Sep 2025
Vol 4 Ep 94 - Ifẹ and Benin
1000 BCE - 1897 CE - Two kingdoms, two legacies—Ifẹ and Benin shaped West Africa’s artistic soul and political power. From sacred bronze heads to sprawling palace complexes, this episode dives into the myths, monarchs, and masterworks that defined a civilisation. Discover how div ... Show More
40m 37s
Apr 2025
Uncovering The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
Journey deep into the ancient sands of Egypt as host Danny Leibowitz uncovers the secrets of the Tomb of Abydos—a site shrouded in myth, mystery, and forgotten history. From rumored portals to the gods to unexplained carvings, this episode explores what lies beneath one of Egypt’ ... Show More
7m 15s