March 2025 Q&A

This episode’s conversation delves into the role of music and rituals in ancient Egypt, the mysterious artifacts held by Egyptian statues, and the evidence for ancient Egyptian coups compared to modern political tensions.Awakening of the Gods - Mythvison* Galczynski & Price (2023). “Fashioning Sensescapes through Ancient Egyptian Dress” in Textiles in Motion. Dress for Dance in the Ancient World* Harper’s Songs* Dance in ancient Egypt* “The Daily Offering Meal in the Ritual of Amenhotep I: An Instance of the Local Adaptation of Cult Liturgy,” co-authored with J. Brett McClain, Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Religions 5, 41-79 (2005).What are the things the statues hold?!* Fischer, Henry G. 1975. An elusive shape within the fisted hands of Egyptian statues. Metropolitan Museum Journal 10, 9-21.Political Turmoil in Ancient Egypt* Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World* Conspiracies in ancient Egypt* Teti “assassination” mentioned in Manetho * Pepi I Harem issues mentioned in the Autobiography of Weni* Amenemhat I's “assassination” mentioned in the Tale of Sinuhe and The Instructions of Amenemhat * Ramses III Harem Conspiracy In year 30, third month of Inundation, day 7, the god attained his horizon, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt Sehetepebre. He flew to heaven and was united with the sun's disk [i.e. he died]; the flesh of the god was merged in him, who made him. Then was the Residence hushed; hearts were filled with mourning; the Great Portals were closed; the courtiers crouched head on lap; the people grieved.Now His Majesty had dispatched an army to the land of the Temhi, and his eldest son [Senwosret I] was the captain thereof, the good god Sesostris. Even now he was returning, having carried away captives of the Tehenu and cattle of all kinds beyond number. And the Companions of the Royal Palace sent to the western border to acquaint the king's son with the matters that had come to pass at the Court. And the messengers met him on the road, they reached him at time of night. Not a moment did he wait; the Falcon flew away with his henchmen, not suffering it to be known to his army. Howbeit, message had been sent to the Royal Children who were with him in this army, and one of them had been summoned. And lo, I stood and heard his voice as he was speaking, being a little distance aloof; and my heart became distraught, my arms spread apart, trembling having fallen on all my limbs. Leaping I betook myself thence to seek me a hiding-place, and placed me between two brambles so as to sunder the road from its traveller.(Excerpt from the Tale of Sinuhe)Tell us what you think!! Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe