Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh — Fexingo History

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses II's confrontation with the Sea Peoples, a confederation of mysterious invaders who threatened Egypt's delta in the early 12th century BCE. We dive into the identity of these groups—the Sherden, Shekelesh, Lukka, Tjekker, Peleset, Denyen, and Weshesh—and their origins, possibly from the Aegean or western Anatolia. Lucas explains how Ramses first encountered the Sherden as pirates in his second year, then incorporated them into his army, before facing a full-scale coalition in his Year 8, recorded at the Battle of Kadesh inscriptions and the Tanis and Karnak reliefs. We discuss the...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known chapter of Ramses II's reign: his military campaigns in Nubia beyond the well-known temples. They focus on the fortress of Buhen, a massive Egyptian stronghold built centuries before Ramses but restored and reinforced under his rule. Lucas explains how Buhen was part of a chain of fortresses controlling the Nile flows and gold routes, and how its garrison, the 'Madjai', became legendary police and scouts. They discuss the discovery of a stela at Buhen dating to Ramses's 44th regnal year, recording a punitive expedition against the 'wretched Kush.' Luna...

Episode 50 of Ramses the Great dives into the economic engine behind his monuments: the gold mines of Nubia. Lucas and Luna explore the Wadi Hammamat and the Eastern Desert mines, the forced labor of the Madjai and Medjay, the role of gold in temple construction and foreign diplomacy, and the administrative machinery that turned Nubian ore into Egypt's wealth. They discuss the logistics of extraction, the cult of the god Amun as a financial beneficiary, and how the gold trade shaped Ramses's relations with Kush and beyond.

#RamsesII #NubianGold #AncientEgypt #GoldMines #WadiHammamat #Madjai #Medjay #Kush #Amun #Pharaoh...

Over 5,000 chariots clashed at the Orontes River in 1274 BCE. Ramses II's gamble at Kadesh nearly cost him his empire, but he turned near-defeat into a propaganda triumph. Lucas unpacks the battle's two surviving accounts—the Egyptian Poem and Bulletin versus the Hittite letters from Hattusa—to reveal a far messier truth. He explains how Ramses's elite division Amun was ambushed, how the pharaoh personally rallied his troops with a desperate chariot charge, and why the 'great victory' carved on temple walls masked a military stalemate. The episode also explores the treaty that followed sixteen years later, a pact between equa...

In 1259 BCE, after decades of war including the famous Battle of Kadesh, Pharaoh Ramses II and Hittite King Hattusili III negotiated the world's first surviving international peace treaty. This episode explores the diplomatic maneuvering, the silver tablet text, and how this agreement shaped the ancient Near East. Discover the role of the storm god Teshub, the Sun goddess Arinna, and the god Seth in the treaty's divine witnesses. Learn about the Hittite queen Puduhepa's involvement, the extradition clauses, and the marriage alliance that sealed the peace. We also examine the treaty's discovery in Hattusa and its modern resonance — a co...

Episode 47 of Fexingo History's Ramses the Great series explores the Heb Sed, or royal jubilee festival—a tradition dating back to the earliest dynasties. Ramses II celebrated an unprecedented number of Sed festivals, using them to reaffirm his divine kingship and physical vigor. Lucas and Luna discuss the origins of the Heb Sed in the Old Kingdom, the rituals involved, and how Ramses manipulated the festival to project power even as he aged. They examine the architectural evidence at sites like the Ramesseum and the open-air museum at Memphis, where Ramses built a special Sed festival chapel. The episode al...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses II's deep involvement with the ancient Apis bull cult at Memphis. They discuss how Ramses, through his son Khaemwaset, expanded the Serapeum burial complex, the role of the Apis bull as a living god linked to Ptah and Osiris, and the political and religious significance of these rituals. The conversation covers the discovery of the Serapeum by Auguste Mariette in 1851, the bull selection process, the grand funerary processions, and how Ramses used the cult to solidify his authority. They also touch on the recent CT scan of the 'Golden Boy' mummy...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Festival of Drunkenness, a ritual designed to appease the goddess Sekhmet and prevent plague. Set in the ancient Egyptian city of Per-Ramesses, the festival involved drinking red-dyed beer to mimic blood, music, and dancing to calm the lion-headed goddess. Lucas explains the origins in the myth of the Destruction of Mankind, where Ra sent Sekhmet to punish humans but tricked her into drinking beer. The episode connects the festival to Ramses II's piety, the presence of Sekhmet statues throughout Egypt, and the role of the priesthood. Luna asks about modern parallels...

In this episode of Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh, Lucas and Luna explore the often-overlooked figure of Isetnofret, Ramses II's second Great Royal Wife after Nefertari. While Nefertari is famous for her tomb and temple at Abu Simbel, Isetnofret was the mother of key sons: Khaemwaset, Ramesses' high priest of Ptah, and Merenptah, his eventual successor. They discuss her titles, her role in politics, her monumental building projects at Saqqara and Memphis, and the divine marriage ceremony that elevated her status. Lucas explains how Isetnofret's cult was linked to the goddess Hathor and how she helped legitimize...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the magnificent Opet Festival, one of ancient Egypt's most important religious ceremonies. Ramses II, a master of spectacle, used this annual event to reinforce his divine authority and unite the kingdom. They discuss the festival's route from Karnak to Luxor Temple, the sacred barque shrines of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, and the role of the God's Wife of Amun. The episode delves into how Ramses expanded the festival's scale, commissioning reliefs at Luxor Temple that depict the journey in vivid detail. They also touch on the festival's political significance, connecting the pharaoh...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the lost city of Per-Ramesses, Ramses II's magnificent capital built in the eastern Delta. We uncover its construction using a massive canal system, its role as a hub for chariotry and bronze workshops, and its eventual decline. Learn about the city's discovery at Qantir, its four precincts dedicated to Amun, Seth, Ptah, and Ra, and the daily life of its inhabitants. We also discuss how Per-Ramesses was the stage for Ramses's grand reception of Hittite princess Maathorneferure and the site of the famous Opet Festival processions. The episode touches on archaeological controversies...

Before the famous Battle of Kadesh, Ramses II faced a very different kind of threat from the sea. In his second year on the throne, a coalition of raiders known as the Sherden—possibly part of the later Sea Peoples—attacked Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Ramses responded swiftly, setting a naval ambush and capturing many of the pirates, whom he then integrated into his personal guard and army. This episode explores who the Sherden were, where they may have come from, and how Ramses's decisive action not only secured Egypt's shores but also added crack foreign troops to his forces. We'l...

In this episode of Ramses the Great, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy yet pivotal life of Prince Amunherkhepeshef, Ramses II's firstborn son and heir apparent for over two decades. From his childhood surrounded by siblings at Per-Ramesses to his military role at the Battle of Kadesh, Amunherkhepeshef was groomed to be the next pharaoh. But he died before his father, leaving the succession to his younger brother Merenptah. We examine the prince's titles—'Eldest Son of the King,' 'Generalissimo'—and his depictions at Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum, where he appears as a miniature adult. We also disc...

From the Valley of the Kings to the afterlife, this episode explores Ramses the Great's own tomb, KV7. Lucas and Luna walk through the challenges of building a royal tomb in a hidden valley, the intricate decoration of the Book of the Dead and Amduat, and the tomb's tragic fate after his death. Learn how Ramses, despite his colossal monuments, suffered from grave robbers and a mummy moved multiple times. We uncover the recent restoration efforts by Egyptian and international teams, and what KV7 reveals about Ramses's personal beliefs and legacy. Dive into the art, architecture, and archaeology of...

In Episode 38 of our Ramses series, we explore the sinew and roar of his military might: the chariot corps. After the famous near-disaster at Kadesh, Ramses overhauled his chariotry, turning it into the most formidable force in the ancient Near East. We trace the origins of the Egyptian chariot from Hyksos technology, through the adoption of the composite bow and scale armor, to the massive hit-and-run tactics that crushed Libyan and Nubian rebellions. Lucas and Luna discuss the logistics of maintaining thousands of horses at Per-Ramesses, the role of the 'stablemaster of the residence' (the king's own horse manager...

Ramses the Great's fourth son, Khaemwaset, was no mere prince. As High Priest of Ptah in Memphis, he oversaw the Serapeum and the burial of Apis bulls, but his true passion was Egypt's past. This episode dives into Khaemwaset's restorations of ancient monuments—like the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the pyramids of Unas and Userkaf—earning him the title 'the first Egyptologist.' We explore his inscriptions, his role in the Saqqara necropolis, his literary fame as a magician-sage in later Egyptian stories, and how his work reflected Ramses II's own obsession with legacy. Khaemwaset bridges the Old King...

Everyone knows about Ramses II's epic clash with the Hittites at Kadesh, but a quieter, more persistent threat emerged from the west: the Libyan tribes, especially the Meshwesh and Libu. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses the Great's campaigns against Libyan incursions in the Nile Delta during his second decade of rule. They examine the evidence from the Battle of Per-Ramesses and the Libyan War inscriptions at Karnak, discuss Ramses's strategy of settling defeated warriors as mercenaries—a policy that had unintended long-term consequences—and consider how Libyan pressure foreshadowed the decline of Ramessid power. Along the way...

In this episode of Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses II's relationship with the fierce lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. Known as the Lady of Plague and the Lady of Life, Sekhmet was both a destroyer and healer. Lucas explains how Ramses commissioned hundreds of statues of Sekhmet to appease her and protect Egypt from epidemics. They delve into the annual Festival of Drunkenness, where Egyptians drank red beer to mimic blood and calm Sekhmet's wrath, and discuss the goddess's role in royal ideology, particularly at the Ramesseum and in the aftermath of the Kadesh...

This episode takes you to Beit el-Wali, Ramses II's rarely-discussed Nubian temple near the Aswan High Dam. We explore its vivid wall reliefs depicting the pharaoh's campaigns against Nubians and Libyans, the temple's role as a symbol of Egyptian dominance, and its rediscovery during the UNESCO salvage campaign. Learn about the temple's unique rock-cut architecture, its dedication to the gods Amun and Horus, and the fascinating scenes of Ramses smiting enemies and receiving tribute. We also touch on the relocation of the temple to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Join Lucas and Luna for a...

Lucas and Luna explore the life and political role of Bintanath, Ramses II's daughter and later his Great Royal Wife. They discuss her titles, her monuments at Abu Simbel and Karnak, her role in diplomacy with the Hittites, and the controversies around royal incest in ancient Egypt. The episode also touches on her tomb and the evidence of her influence at court.

#Bintanath #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #AbuSimbel #Karnak #GreatRoyalWife #Hittites #Nefertari #PerRamesses #ValleyoftheQueens #KV7 #Luxor #Thebes #Nubia #18thDynasty #Egyptology #History #FexingoHistory #RamsesTheGreat #Pharaoh

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked but crucial role of Setau, Ramses the Great's viceroy of Kush. Setau was not just an administrator; he was a high priest, temple builder, and the man who secured Nubia's gold and manpower for Egypt. From his rock-cut temple at Gerf Hussein to his inscriptions at Wadi es-Sebua, Setau's career reveals how Ramses managed his southern frontier. We discuss Nubian loyalty, the collapse of the Kerma kingdom, the oracle of Amun at Kawa, and the controversial theory that Setau was a Nubian himself. A story of power...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Opet Festival, one of the most important religious ceremonies of Ramses II's reign. Held annually in Thebes, the festival involved a ritual journey of the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu from Karnak to Luxor Temple. Lucas explains the festival's origins, its political significance in legitimizing pharaonic power, and the massive procession of priests, dancers, and soldiers that accompanied the barques. He details the 'Beautiful Feast of Opet' as recorded on the walls of Luxor Temple, describing the four-mile procession, the rituals of renewal, and the distribution of food to the people...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the engineering and symbolism behind the colossal statues of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, focusing on the Great Temple and the Small Temple dedicated to Nefertari. They discuss the logistics of quarrying and transporting 20-meter-tall statues, the astronomical alignment of the temple, and the modern relocation project in the 1960s. The conversation also touches on the political propaganda of the statues, the role of the vizier Ashahebsed, and the legacy of Ramses's monumental building program.

#AbuSimbel #RamsesII #EgyptianStatues #Colossi #Nefertari #Ashahebsed #NewKingdom #TempleBuilding #UNESCO #AswanDam #Philae #SunAlignment #Egyptology #AncientEngineering #Propaganda...

This episode explores the lives and political significance of Ramses the Great's chief wives, focusing on the beloved Nefertari and the lesser-known Isetnofret. We visit Nefertari's spectacular tomb in the Valley of the Queens, deciphered from the Book of the Dead passages that adorn its walls. Lucas explains how royal marriages were diplomatic tools, especially Ramses's later Hittite bride Maathorneferure, and how the queen's role in religious ceremonies, like the Opet Festival, bolstered pharaonic legitimacy. The episode also touches on the queen's title 'God's Wife of Amun' and the economic power of the queen's estates. Luna asks about the...

In 1274 BCE, Ramses the Great led his army into one of the largest chariot battles in ancient history: the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire. This episode reconstructs the dramatic day when Ramses, misled by spies and caught in a Hittite ambush, nearly lost everything—then turned disaster into a propaganda triumph. We explore the two main Egyptian accounts, the Poem of Pentaur and the Bulletin, which present wildly different narratives from Hittite records. Learn about the tactical decisions, the role of the Ne'arin reinforcements, and how Ramses transformed a near-defeat into a symbol of divine favor. We al...

In this episode, we explore the lives of the ordinary builders and artisans who constructed Ramses II's great monuments. We discuss the workers' village of Deir el-Medina, the daily lives of scribes and stonemasons, the logistics of quarrying and moving stone, the tools and techniques used, the organization of labor into gangs and crews, the payment in grain and goods, the role of the vizier Paser in overseeing projects, the records left behind in ostraca, the workmen's strikes during Ramses III's reign, the medical care provided, and the social status of skilled craftsmen. Join Lucas and Luna as they...

Episode 26 of Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh steps away from the pharaoh's sons, wives, and temples to plunge into the economic engine that made it all possible: Nubian gold. Lucas guides us through the desolate Eastern Desert to the gold mines of Wadi Hammamat, the Wadi Allaqi, and the emerald mines of Sikait. We meet the enslaved Nubians and Egyptian convicts who dug the quartz, the archers who guarded them, and the foremen who tracked output on ostraca. We explore how Ramses II claimed the gold of Kush as his divine right, how the precious metal flowed...

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the diplomatic revolution that secured Ramses the Great's legacy. After the famous Battle of Kadesh, Ramses faced a strategic stalemate with the Hittite Empire. Rather than endless war, he negotiated a historic peace treaty with Hattusili III. The episode delves into the silver tablet exchanged between the two kings, the marriage diplomacy that sealed the alliance, and the role of Queen Puduhepa in forging this unprecedented agreement. We examine the terms of the treaty, which included mutual defense, extradition of refugees, and a vow of eternal brotherhood. Lucas unpacks...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the aftermath of the Battle of Kadesh and the world's first recorded peace treaty, signed between Ramses II and Hittite king Hattusili III. They discuss the diplomatic negotiations, the silver tablet treaty, the marriage alliance with Maathorneferure, and how this agreement shaped the ancient Near East for decades. Lucas explains the terms of the treaty, including extradition clauses and mutual defense, and reflects on its legacy as a model for modern diplomacy. Luna asks about the role of the Hittite queen Puduhepa and the discovery of the treaty's cuneiform version at Hattusa...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Great Dedicatory Inscription at Abu Simbel—a monumental text that records Ramses II's consecration of the temple in Year 24 of his reign. This inscription is not just a religious document; it is a sophisticated piece of political theology that intertwines the pharaoh's authority, the gods' favor, and the kingdom's prosperity. Lucas explains how the inscription describes Ramses as 'beloved of Amun-Ra' and details the extensive offerings, including gold, silver, and precious oils, made to the gods. They discuss the historical context: the recent peace with the Hittites after the Battle of Ka...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Ramesseum, Ramses II's magnificent mortuary temple on the west bank of Thebes. They discuss its colossal architecture, including the fallen statue of Ramses that inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem 'Ozymandias,' the intricate reliefs depicting the Battle of Kadesh and the Festival of Opet, and the temple's role as a center for the cult of the deified king. They delve into the temple's construction under the supervision of the vizier Paser, its lavish decorations, and its economic functions as a redistribution hub for offerings. The conversation also touches on the temple's...

Imagine feeding a city of 300,000 people in the heart of the Nile Delta, three thousand years ago. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the logistics of food and feasting during the reign of Ramses the Great. They walk through the granaries of Per-Ramesses, where boatloads of grain from Egypt's breadbasket were stored. They discuss the massive brewing industry—beer was a dietary staple, not just a luxury—and the state-run bakeries that churned out thousands of loaves daily. Lucas reveals the menu of a royal feast: roasted oxen, goose, fish from the Nile, fresh vegetables, and sweet treats like...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the sacred Apis bull cult during the reign of Ramses the Great. They discuss how the bull was chosen, venerated at Memphis, and mummified in the Serapeum. Khaemwaset, Ramses's son and high priest of Ptah, oversaw the burial of Apis bulls in massive stone sarcophagi. The episode delves into the bulls' role in reaffirming royal power, the elaborate funeral rituals, and their connection to the god Ptah and the afterlife. It also touches on the spread of the cult into the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

#ApisBull #Serapeum #Memphis #Ptah #Khaemwaset...

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna delve into the economic and religious world of Ramses III, the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom, through the lens of the Great Harris Papyrus. This remarkable document, over 40 meters long, details the massive donations Ramses III made to the temples of Egypt—especially to the god Amun at Karnak. Lucas explains how this papyrus, discovered in a tomb near Medinet Habu, reveals the staggering wealth of the priesthood and the temple economy that rivaled the pharaoh's own treasury. They discuss how Ramses III, after repelling the Sea Peoples, us...

This episode explores the world of royal scribes under Ramses the Great—the literate elite who ran the empire's bureaucracy, recorded its history, and shaped its legacy. Lucas and Luna dive into the training of scribes at the Per-Ankh (House of Life), the tools they used (papyrus, reed pens, palettes), and their critical role in everything from tax collection to temple administration. They discuss famous scribes like Amenemope, author of wisdom literature, and the satirical 'Satire of the Trades' that urged boys to become scribes rather than soldiers or farmers. The episode also covers the use of hieratic script fo...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the enormous power of the priesthood of Amun at Thebes during the reign of Ramses II. They discuss how the cult of Amun, based at the Karnak temple complex, rivaled the pharaoh's own authority through its control of land, gold from Nubia, and tribute from conquered territories. Lucas explains the role of the High Priest of Amun—often a royal appointee but sometimes a hereditary position—and how figures like Nebwenenef, whom Ramses appointed, managed this delicate balance. The conversation touches on the Festival of Opet, where Amun's statue traveled from Karnak to L...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the surprisingly advanced world of medicine during the reign of Ramses II. They discuss the Edwin Smith Papyrus, a surgical text from around 1600 BCE that describes 48 cases of trauma with remarkable anatomical accuracy, and the Ebers Papyrus, a vast compendium of herbal remedies and incantations. Lucas explains how Egyptian physicians—known as sunu—specialized in fields like ophthalmology, dentistry, and even veterinary medicine, with the Per-Ankh (House of Life) serving as a center of learning. He shares the story of a royal physician named Hesy-Ra from the Third Dynasty, who was also an e...

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Merneptah, the thirteenth son of Ramses II who unexpectedly became pharaoh after decades in the shadows. They delve into his military campaigns against the Libyans and the Sea Peoples, recorded on the Merneptah Stele and the Karnak reliefs. Lucas explains how Merneptah's famous stele contains the earliest known mention of 'Israel' in ancient history, sparking debates about the Exodus narrative. The conversation also covers his building projects at Memphis and Thebes, his tomb KV8 in the Valley of the Kings, and the challenges he faced maintaining Ramses's empire amid...

Step into the menagerie of Pharaoh Ramses II. From lions pacing the palace precincts to giraffes imported from Punt, exotic animals were status symbols, diplomatic gifts, and living propaganda. Lucas and Luna explore the evidence—reliefs at Abu Simbel, the tomb of a royal pet, the logistics of capturing a cheetah in Kush and shipping it down the Nile. It's a glimpse into how Ramses displayed his dominion over both people and nature.

#RamsesII #AncientEgypt #ExoticAnimals #Menagerie #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #Punt #Kush #Nubia #Lions #Giraffes #AbuSimbel #Diplomacy #Tribute #Zoology #19thDynasty #History #FexingoHistory #RamsesTheGreat #BattleOfKadesh

Keep every ep...

We all know Ramses II as the builder of Abu Simbel and the hero of Kadesh, but what happened to his body after he died? In this episode, Lucas and Luna follow the extraordinary two-thousand-year journey of Ramses's mummy — from his original tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV7) to a secret royal cache at Deir el-Bahari, where priests hid him from tomb robbers. They explore the dramatic discovery of the cache in 1881 by the Abd el-Rassul family, the tense negotiations with Egyptian authorities, and the moment when Egyptologist Gaston Maspero unwrapped the great pharaoh. Then, the mummy's mo...