Deep Dives Episode 4: The First Intermediate Period
from InspirationPodcast Hosted by Ethan Carpenter
Welcome to Deep Dives, The First Intermediate Period is typically thought of as a time of chaos and rebellion, and it may very well have been. But after a careful look, I find this hard to believe in total. It seems that religious and quasi-philosophical thought developed during this time. We can see that the coffin texts began to emerge in and around the First Intermediate which gave the more "common" of men access to religious rights and proper Egyptian burials. Many of the texts from this time allude to how the Kings lost large amounts of their wealth while the nomarchs and priests gained in wealth and power. The crown and the powerful families did indeed struggle with each-other and it detracted from the prestige and divinity of kingship. This, as we will see throughout the season, is a tale as old as time when it comes to Egypt. This struggle between hereditary nomarchies and the crown would escalate and deescalate many times over the course of Egyptian history. I find this period of time very interesting and only wish we knew more about it. Hope you enjoy!
Embed this episode
No transcript yet.