Episodes
Ramses II and the First Labor Strike in Egypt
We often think of ancient Egypt as a land of eternal order, where the Pharaoh’s will was absolute and unchallenged. But in the late 12th century BCE, a group of stonecutters at Deir el-Medina took a stand that would shock historians for millennia. This episode explores the first recorded labor strike in human history, sparked by unpaid grain rations during Ramses II’s long reign. We dive into the Petition of Paneb, the role of the Vizier Pa-di-Aten, and how ordinary workers navigated the…
Ramses II's Diplomatic Wives and the Hittite Alliance
We’ve covered Ramses II’s wars, his monuments, and his mummy, but rarely have we looked closely at the women who helped secure Egypt’s peace. This episode explores the marriage of Ramses II to Maathorneferure, a princess from the Hittite Empire. After the Battle of Kadesh, Ramses II faced not just military rivals but a complex diplomatic landscape. By marrying a Hittite princess, he solidified a treaty that ended decades of conflict between Egypt and the Near East. We’ll examine how this union…
Ramses II's Medical Legacy: The World's First Surgeon
While Ramses II is celebrated for his monuments and military victories, his reign also marks a pivotal moment in the history of medicine. This episode explores the life of Hesy-Re, often called the world's first named physician, and traces how medical knowledge evolved from the Old Kingdom into the New Kingdom under Ramses. We examine the Edwin Smith Papyrus, an ancient surgical textbook that reveals a rational, observational approach to trauma long before Hippocrates. Lucas and Luna discuss…
Ramses II's Secret Police and the First Labor Strike
While we have covered Ramses II’s military victories, diplomatic marriages, and monumental building projects, this episode turns to a quieter but equally revolutionary aspect of his reign: the rise of the state secret police and the world’s first recorded labor strike. In Year 29 of his rule, workers at Deir el-Medina, the artisans tasked with decorating royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, stopped working. They were owed grain rations that had not arrived, a crisis exacerbated by severe…
Ramses II's Diplomatic Wives: The Hittite Princess
After the Battle of Kadesh, Ramses II did not conquer his rival; he married him. This episode explores the profound diplomatic marriage between Ramses II and Maathorneferure, daughter of Hittite King Hattusili III. We examine how this union cemented the first known peace treaty in history, effectively ending centuries of warfare between Egypt and the Hittite Empire. Through the lens of royal correspondence and religious syncretism, we see how a foreign princess was integrated into the Egyptian…
Ramses II's Medical Legacy: The World's First Surgeon
While most episodes focus on Ramses II’s monuments or battles, this episode uncovers the quiet revolution of his medical corps. We explore the Edwin Smith Papyrus and the groundbreaking work of Hesy-Re, the earliest known physician-surgeon in history. Lucas and Luna discuss how Ramses institutionalized medicine, turning it from temple magic into a systematic science. You’ll hear about the anatomical accuracy of ancient Egyptian diagnostics, the use of honey as an antibiotic, and how royal…
Ramses II's Iron Legacy: The Bronze Weapons of Kadesh
While history often remembers Ramses II for his temples and monuments, his military might was forged in the fires of Kadesh. This episode explores the technological revolution that turned Egypt into an imperial superpower. We dive deep into the metallurgy of the Late Bronze Age, examining how the introduction of iron-tipped spears and improved bronze chariots changed the balance of power against the Hittites. You will meet the Sherden mercenaries, understand the tactical formation at the Battle…
Ramses II's Shadow Army: The Sherden Mercenaries
While we often celebrate Ramses II as a builder and diplomat, his military might relied heavily on a group of feared foreign fighters known as the Sherden. These Sea Peoples mercenaries were not just hired hands but became integral to Egypt’s royal guard, changing the cultural and martial landscape of the New Kingdom. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how these raiders from the Mediterranean coast ended up serving the Pharaoh who defeated them, examining their distinctive horned helmets…
Ramses II's Diplomatic Wives: The Hittite Princess
After the monumental battle of Kadesh and the subsequent peace treaty, Ramses II secured his borders not just with swords but with marriage. This episode explores the arrival of a Hittite princess, Maathorneferure, who brought her foreign gods and customs into the heart of Egypt. We examine the political weight of this union, the cultural friction it caused among the priesthood, and how Ramses used these alliances to cement an empire that stretched from Nubia to the Euphrates. Through the lens…
Ramses II's Foreign Wives and the Treaty of Kadesh
We often think of Ramses II as a conqueror, but his greatest victory might have been diplomatic. After the stalemate at Kadesh, Ramses didn't just rebuild temples; he rebuilt relationships through marriage. This episode explores the first known international marriage alliance in history when Ramses married a daughter of Hattusili III, the Hittite king. We look at the letters exchanged between their courts, the political maneuvering that followed, and how these foreign queens navigated life in…
Ramses II's Harem Conspiracy: The First Political Scandal
While Ramses the Great is remembered for his monuments and military campaigns, his later years were marred by a secret plot to usurp the throne. This episode explores the Harem Conspiracy of 1208 BCE, where the royal concubine Tiye attempted to place her son Pentawere on the Egyptian throne through assassination. We examine the judicial records from the Judicial Papyrus of Turin, which detail the interrogations of the conspirators, including court officials and palace servants. Unlike previous…
Ramses II's Forgotten Queen: Nefertari's Tomb
We step away from the battles of Kadesh and the grand temples of Abu Simbel to explore a quieter, more intimate monument: the tomb of Nefertari, Queen Consort of Ramses II. While her husband built monuments to immortalize his power, Nefertari’s burial place in the Valley of the Queens reveals the depth of their personal bond and the unique status she held as a divine figure. Lucas and Luna examine the vivid colors and delicate paintings that have survived millennia, discussing how the…
Ramses II's Lost Daughter: Meritamen and Royal Politics
While we have spent many episodes discussing Ramses the Great’s military campaigns, diplomatic marriages, and monumental building projects, one aspect of his reign remains shrouded in relative silence: the lives of his daughters. This episode focuses on Princess Meritamen, a figure who appears frequently in inscriptions yet whose personal history is fragmentary. We explore how royal women served as living symbols of divine order and political stability during the New Kingdom. By examining her…
Ramses II's Hidden Wars: The Sea Peoples Invasion
We all know Ramses the Great for his monuments, his diplomatic marriages, and the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites. But after his long reign, Egypt faced a threat that no amount of stone carving could easily resolve: the Sea Peoples. This episode explores the chaotic final years of Ramses II and the devastating invasions by confederations like the Sherden, Lukka, and Peleset. We examine the inscriptions at Medinet Habu, the naval battles in the Nile Delta, and how this existential crisis…
Ramses II's Iron Legacy: The Bronze Weapons of Kadesh
We often picture the Battle of Kadesh as a clash of chariots and bronze, but the reality was far more complex. In this episode, we examine the material culture of Ramses II’s military machine, focusing on the evolution of weaponry that defined New Kingdom warfare. We explore how the Sherden mercenaries brought new forging techniques to Per-Ramesses, changing the face of combat in Egypt. From the distinctive sickle-swords of the Nubian archers to the standardized bronze dagger found in the tomb…
Ramses II's Children: The Royal Nursery of the 19th Dynasty
Ramses II is known for his monumental temples, his vast army, and his long reign, but behind the scenes was a sprawling royal family that secured his legacy. This episode of Fexingo History explores the lives of Ramses II's many children — the sons who fought alongside him, the daughters who became queens, and the princes who died young. Lucas and Luna discuss the practical workings of the royal nursery, the training of princes in chariot warfare and administration, and the political marriages…
The Mummy of Ramses the Great: Unwrapping a Legend
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary journey of Ramses II's mummy, from its discovery in the Deir el-Bahari cache in 1881 to its flight to Paris in 1976. They discuss the rare and controversial practice of unwrapping a royal mummy, the scientific analyses that revealed his age, health, and a surprising medical condition, and the political and cultural implications of a pharaoh leaving Egypt. Along the way, they consider the limits of what science can tell us about the man…
Ramses II and the Longest Reign: A Look at His 66 Years on the Throne
Ramses II ruled Egypt for an extraordinary 66 years, outliving many of his heirs and reshaping the kingdom through sheer longevity. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore what those six decades meant for Kemet's stability, its succession, and its monuments. They trace Ramses' rise as a young co-regent with Seti I, his many building projects that stretched from Abu Simbel to Per-Ramesses, and the cult of self that he carefully crafted. They also look at the less glamorous side of a long reign…
Ramses II's Thebes Mortuary Temple: The Ramesseum Revealed
Lucas and Luna explore the Ramesseum, the sprawling mortuary temple Ramses II raised on the west bank of Thebes. They walk through its colossal courtyard, the fallen statue of the pharaoh that inspired Shelley's 'Ozymandias', and the intricate reliefs chronicling the Battle of Kadesh. They discuss the temple's purpose as a house of millions of years, its astronomical ceiling, and its economic role as a landed estate employing thousands. The conversation touches on the temple's later life as a…
Ramses II's Nubian Gold: The Mines That Built an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the Nubian gold that fueled Ramses II's ambitions. From the Wadi Allaqi mines to the temples of Abu Simbel, they trace how the pharaoh's control of Kush turned gold into divine power. They explore the logistics of mining, the lives of the miners, and the role of gold in diplomacy and ritual, revealing how a precious metal shaped the New Kingdom's might. #RamsesII #NubianGold #Kush #AbuSimbel #AncientEgypt #WadiAllaqi #AmunRe #Kemet #NewKingdom…
Ramses II's Building Boom: The Great Hypostyle Hall
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses II's monumental building program, focusing on the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. They discuss how Ramses completed his father Seti I's project, the hall's 134 colossal columns, and the political propaganda behind the reliefs. They also touch on the logistics of quarrying, transporting, and carving stone, and the role of the architect in a society where the pharaoh claimed all credit. The episode covers Ramses' additions at…
Ramses II's Divine Kingship: Rituals of the Sed Festival
For thirty years, Ramses II ruled a vast empire from the Nile to the Euphrates. But in his thirty-third year, he faced a challenge no army could defeat: the need to renew his divine power. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Sed festival, the ancient Egyptian ritual of royal rejuvenation that Ramses transformed into a spectacle of cosmic authority. They trace its origins from the archaic era through the New Kingdom, and examine how Ramses—builder of Abu Simbel and Per-Ramesses—used the…
Ramses II's City of Per-Ramesses: The Delta Capital
In this episode, we explore the city Ramses II built for himself: Per-Ramesses, the dazzling Delta capital that served as the administrative, military, and religious heart of his empire. We trace its founding, its layout, its bustling harbors and workshops, and its ultimate decline. Along the way, we encounter the god Amun-Re, the treasury official Userrenput-aanehktu, the scribal class, and the city's role in Ramses' grand propaganda. We also consider the city's rediscovery in the 20th century…
Ramses II's Scribes: The Men Who Wrote an Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the world of Ramses the Great's scribes—the men who kept the vast machinery of Kemet running. From the training schools of the House of Life to the front lines of Kadesh, scribes recorded everything from grain quotas to diplomatic treaties. Lucas explains the privileged status of the scribal class, the hieratic script they used, and how they managed the empire's economy, from the Delta city of Per-Ramesses to the gold mines of Nubia. He…
The Great Harris Papyrus: Ramses III's Final Confession
In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the Great Harris Papyrus, one of the most remarkable documents from ancient Egypt. Discovered in a tomb near Medinet Habu, this massive papyrus—over 40 meters long—was commissioned by Ramses III, the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Lucas explains how the papyrus serves as both a grand summary of Ramses' reign and a political testament, listing his donations to temples, his military campaigns, and his building projects. The conversation also…
Ramses II's Divine Birth at Luxor: Myth as Power
Long before crowned kings claimed divine right, Ramses the Great used a very specific story to cement his authority: the myth of his divine conception and birth, carved across the walls of Luxor Temple. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Ramses II—whose reign stretched from 1279 to 1213 BCE—borrowed and transformed a tradition inherited from his ancestors, like Hatshepsut and Amenhotep III, to craft a narrative that placed him squarely among the gods. They decode the scenes: the god…
Ramses II and the Temple of Abu Simbel: Engineering Wonder
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the engineering marvels behind Ramses II's most iconic monument: the Great Temple at Abu Simbel. They discuss how the temple was carved directly into a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile in Nubia, designed to align precisely with the sun on February 22 and October 22, illuminating the inner sanctuary's statues. Lucas explains the significance of the four colossal seated statues of Ramses, the façade's depiction of the Battle…
Ramses II's Nubian Temples: Carving Power in Stone
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the colossal rock-cut temples Ramses II carved into the cliffs of Nubia, from the towering Great Temple at Abu Simbel to the smaller but equally significant speos at Beit el-Wali and Gerf Hussein. They discuss how these monuments were not just displays of royal ego but strategic tools of empire—asserting pharaonic presence, intimidating local populations, and aligning Ramses with the gods Amun-Re, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. The conversation covers the…
Ramses the Great at Kadesh: Exposing the Propaganda
In 1274 BCE, Ramses II faced the Hittite army at Kadesh and almost lost everything. But the record he left behind tells a different story — one of a pharaoh who personally rallied his troops and claimed a victory that historians now see as a carefully crafted myth. Join Lucas and Luna as they peel back the layers of the Kadesh inscriptions, from the Battle of Kadesh to the Poem of Pentaur and the Bulletin, to uncover what really happened on the Orontes. We'll explore the Egyptian and Hittite…
Ramses' Great Sphinx at Giza: The Monument That Remade Egypt
In this episode of Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses II's transformative renovation of the Great Sphinx at Giza. They uncover how the pharaoh's builders restored the ancient monument, added a new beard and headdress, and inscribed a dream stela between its paws. Along the way, they discuss the Sphinx's original construction under Khafre, the mystery of its missing nose, and the surprising evidence linking it to Ramses' son Khaemwaset, who led…
Ramses the Great and the Battle of Dapur: A Second Kadesh?
Ramses the Great is famous for Kadesh, but what about his lesser-known Syrian campaign and the siege of Dapur? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the military might of Egypt's most celebrated pharaoh beyond the famous chariot charge. They discuss the strategic importance of Amurru, the defection of Benteshina, the use of the 'Sons of Ramses' as elite troops, and the dramatic siege depicted on the walls of the Ramesseum. They also consider the Hittite perspective, the role of the Sherden…
Ramses the Great and the Hittite Peace: The Battle of Kadesh and Its Aftermath
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Battle of Kadesh, the largest chariot battle ever fought, and how Ramses II turned a near-disaster into a propaganda triumph. They examine the strategies, the challenges from the Hittite king Muwatalli II, and the controversial outcome that led to the first recorded peace treaty in history. The episode unravels the layers of the Kadesh inscriptions—where the pharaoh's claims clash with Hittite records—and considers how Ramses used the 'victory' to…
Ramses the Great's Diplomatic Marriage to the Hittite Princess
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore one of the most surprising twists in Ramses the Great's reign: his diplomatic marriage to a Hittite princess, negotiated with the very enemy he fought at Kadesh. They uncover the political maneuvering behind the alliance, the incredible journey of the princess to Egypt, and the symbolic wedding inscription at Abu Simbel. Along the way, they touch on the role of Queen Puduhepa, the Hittite queen who helped broker the deal, and the broader context of Bronze…
Ramses the Great's Royal Wives: Power Behind the Throne
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the lives and influence of Ramses the Great's principal wives—Nefertari, Isetnofret, and Maathorneferure—and the complex web of royal women who shaped Egypt's 19th Dynasty. They uncover Nefertari's diplomatic correspondence with the Hittite queen Puduhepa, her temple at Abu Simbel, and her untimely death. They discuss Isetnofret's quieter but crucial role, her son Merenptah becoming pharaoh, and the political marriages that cemented alliances with the…
Ramses the Great's Nubian Viceroys: The Men of Kush
In this episode of Ramses the Great, Lucas and Luna explore the vital role of the viceroys of Kush — the officials who governed Egypt's southern frontier and managed its most precious resource: gold. Discover how these men, from the legendary Setau to the obscure Nehesy, balanced military command, tribute collection, and diplomacy with the local Nubian chiefs. Learn about the challenges of ruling a vast territory, the risks of rebellion, and the precarious balance between loyalty to the pharaoh…
Ramses II's Army: The Men Who Fought for Kemet
Ramses the Great is remembered as a master builder and diplomat, but his empire was secured by the ordinary soldiers who marched, fought, and died for him. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Egyptian army of the Nineteenth Dynasty: the conscripts and the professional core, the divisions named for gods, the infantry and chariotry, the logistics of feeding tens of thousands on campaign, and the fate of those who served. We meet the sherden mercenaries who became Pharaoh's elite guard…
Ramses the Great's Nubian Gold: The Wealth Behind the Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna dig into the economic engine that made Ramses the Great's Egypt possible: the gold mines of Nubia. From the arid wadis east of the Nile to the temple at Abu Simbel, they trace how gold flowed from the southern frontier into the pharaoh's treasury, funding colossal building projects and diplomatic marriages. They discuss the logistics of mining, the brutal conditions for the miners, the role of the viceroy of Kush, and the strategic importance…
Ramses the Great's Dentists: Toothache in Ancient Kemet
When Ramses II ruled Egypt, toothache was a fact of life. But for the pharaoh and his court, there was a class of healers devoted to the mouth: the swanw, or dentists. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore what dental care looked like in ancient Kemet—from the gritty bread that wore down molars to the herbal rinses and bronze tools used to extract aching teeth. They delve into the Ebers and Hearst papyri, where remedies for loose teeth and gum disease were written in hieratic, and examine the…
Ramses the Great's Family: The Women Behind the Pharaoh
Ramses II is famous for his monuments, battles, and colossal ego, but behind the throne stood a network of powerful women. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the lives of the women who shaped his reign: his mother Tuya, who held the title of King's Mother and may have wielded real influence; his chief wives Nefertari and Isetnofret, whose diplomatic and ceremonial roles were crucial; his daughters who became queens, like Bintanath and Meritamen; and the mysterious Maathorneferure, the…
Ramses' Great Harris Papyrus: The King's Final Confession
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Great Harris Papyrus, the longest surviving document from ancient Egypt, dictated by Ramses III at the end of his reign. Housed in the British Museum, this 133-foot scroll lists colossal donations of land, gold, and grain to temples across Kemet, revealing the economic muscle of the priesthood and the tensions that would later fuel tomb robbery and social unrest. They trace the papyrus's discovery in a tomb near Medinet Habu in 1855, its decipherment…
Ramses the Great's Scribe Network: Bureaucracy of Empire
Before the chariots charged and the temples rose, there was the scribe — the quiet architect of Ramses the Great's empire. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how a network of literate officials, from the lowly village scribe to the vizier himself, kept Egypt's vast machinery running for sixty-seven years. They follow a year in the life of a scribe named Huy, stationed at Per-Ramesses, as he tallies grain shipments, drafts letters for the pharaoh, and, one night, records a troubling report…
Ramses' Stelae: The Nubian Temples That Shaped an Empire
This episode of Fexingo History takes you south, beyond the cataracts, to the frontier where Ramses the Great carved his authority into living rock. We explore the string of temples he raised in Nubia — from Beit el-Wali's war scenes to the rock-cut colossi of Gerf Hussein and the sun-trap of Wadi es-Sebua — and what they reveal about Egyptian power, local belief, and the delicate politics of empire. You'll meet the viceroy Setau, who governed Nubia for decades, and hear how Ramses used…
Ramses the Great's Diplomacy: Marriages and Alliances
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses the Great's diplomatic maneuvers beyond the battlefield. Discover how Ramses secured Egypt's might through strategic marriages—including his union with Hittite princesses—and alliances that reshaped the ancient Near East. From the famous Marriage Stela at Abu Simbel to the lesser-known Treaty of Kadesh, we trace the art of peace in a warrior pharaoh's reign. Learn about Queen Nefertari's diplomatic role, the exchange of letters…
Ramses the Great's Gardeners: The Greening of Kemet
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the green side of Ramses the Great's Egypt—the gardens, orchards, and vineyards that sustained the empire. From the royal gardens at Per-Ramesses, where Ramses planted exotic trees to impress foreign envoys, to the sacred groves of Amun at Karnak, we dig into how pharaohs used horticulture as a tool of power. We meet the gardeners who worked the soil, from the humble 'k3ty' to the 'imy-r sh' who oversaw it all, and hear about the fruits…
Ramses the Great's Dentists: Healing Teeth in Kemet
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the surprisingly advanced world of ancient Egyptian dentistry during the reign of Ramses the Great. They examine the evidence from mummies and medical papyri to uncover how dentists treated tooth decay, gum disease, and abscesses—and why these ailments were so common in the Nile Valley. The conversation covers the Ebers Papyrus, the Hearst Papyrus, and the Edwin Smith Papyrus, revealing remedies like the 'mouse cure' and the use of…
Ramses the Great's Viziers: The Men Who Ran Egypt
Episode 187 of Ramses the Great takes you behind the throne to meet the two powerful viziers who kept the empire running: Paser and Khay. We explore the daily duties of the tjaty—the pharaoh's right hand—from overseeing justice and tax collection to commanding the workforce that built the Ramesseum. Paser rose from vizier to High Priest of Amun, while Khay managed decades of monumental construction. Discover their tombs, their inscriptions, and how they wielded power in the shadow of Egypt's…
Ramses' Chariot Corps: The Speed of Empire
The chariot corps was the elite strike force of Ramses the Great's army, a mobile platform that dominated battlefields from Nubia to Syria. In this episode, we explore the organization of the maryannu—the chariot warrior aristocracy—and the sophisticated breeding and training programs at Per-Ramesses. Lucas and Luna discuss the role of horses in Egyptian warfare, logistics of maintaining hundreds of chariots, and how Ramses' reforms created a cavalry arm that gave Kemet strategic reach. We also…
Per-Ramesses: Ramses the Great's Lost Capital City
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the construction and splendor of Per-Ramesses (Pi-Ramesses), the magnificent capital city built by Ramses the Great in the Nile Delta. We discuss why Ramses moved the capital from Thebes, the urban planning that included canals, gardens, and temples, and the multicultural population of soldiers and diplomats from across the ancient Near East. The city's decline after Ramses' reign and its rediscovery at the site of Tell el-Dab'a and…
Ramses' Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak: 134 Columns of Power
Step into the largest hypostyle hall ever built, where Ramses the Great completed his father Seti I's vision at Karnak. This episode explores the engineering, symbolism, and religious purpose of the 134 sandstone columns, some 69 feet tall, shaped like papyrus and lotus to symbolize the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. We discuss the hall's decorated reliefs depicting the Battle of Kadesh and the annual Opet Festival, its original vibrant paint, and its enduring legacy as a UNESCO World…
Ramses the Great's Final Years: Twilight of a Supernova
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the last decades of Ramses II's astonishing 66-year reign. Drawing on forensic analysis of his mummy and contemporary records, we uncover how the aging pharaoh battled debilitating arthritis, a calcified aorta, and dental abscesses while still commissioning colossal monuments and fending off palace intrigue. We trace the painful loss of his many heirs—sons like Amunherkhepeshef and Khaemwaset predeceased him—forcing the throne to pass to the less…
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