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

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 physicians treated wounds with precision that rivals modern practice. This is a look at the man behind the myth who valued life as much as legacy, examining the specific treatments recorded in papyri that have survived three millennia. #History #FexingoHistory #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #EdwinSmithPapyrus #HesyRe #AncientMedicine #EgyptianSurgery #NewKingdom #Pharaoh #MedicalHistory #Hieroglyphs #Kemet #AmunRe #Anatomy #Papyrus #Nile #Archaeology #Science Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 decoration breaks from traditional Egyptian artistic conventions. We look at the specific deities invoked in her afterlife journey, including Hathor and Isis, and consider what this lavish preparation tells us about royal women in the New Kingdom. This episode uncovers the story of a woman who was not just a wife, but a co-ruler in spirit, whose legacy rivals that of her famous husband. #Nefertari #RamsesII #ValleyOfTheQueens #QV66 #EgyptianQueen #NewKingdom #AncientEgypt #Hathor #Isis #TombPaintings #Archaeology #History #FexingoHistory #PharaohsWives #Luxor #19thDynasty #EgyptianArt #Afterlife Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 titles, her appearances alongside her mother Tuya at temples like Luxor and Karnak, and her eventual burial in the Valley of the Queens, we uncover the subtle but critical role these princesses played in cementing Ramses’ legacy. We also look at the broader context of royal sistership and marriage, seeing how Meritamen’s lineage connected to the complex web of succession that would eventually lead to the turbulent reign of her brother Merenptah. Through the lens of her tomb and temple reliefs, we see a different side of Ramses’ power—not just carved in stone for the gods, but woven into the family structure that held Egypt together. #Meritamen #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #NewKingdom #RoyalDaughters #Tuya #ValleyOfTheQueens #LuxorTemple #Karnak #Merenptah #EgyptianHistory #RoyalSisters #DivineWife #19thDynasty #Nefertari #Kemet #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #Archaeology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 reshaped the Mediterranean world. By looking at the military reforms and the refugee settlements that followed, we uncover how Ramses managed to hold his empire together until his death, and what happened to these mysterious warriors who would go on to shape the Iron Age. #RamsesII #SeaPeoples #MedinetHabu #NewKingdom #AncientEgypt #Sherden #Lukka #Peleset #NileDelta #MediterraneanHistory #IronAge #Philistines #NavalBattle #EgyptianMilitary #Archaeology #BronzeAgeCollapse #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 of Khaemwaset, these tools were not just weapons but symbols of imperial power. We also look at the logistical miracle of supplying an army with thousands of bronze arrowsheads and the tension between traditional Egyptian bowmanship and the incoming Hittite iron technology. This is a story about metal, muscle, and the quiet technological shift that preceded the end of the Bronze Age. #RamsesII #BattleOfKadesh #NewKingdomEgypt #BronzeAge #SherdenMercenaries #HittiteEmpire #PerRamesses #AncientWeapons #Merenptah #Khaemwaset #SickleSword #ChariotWarfare #EgyptianMilitary #Archaeology #Nubia #IronAgeTransition #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 that tied the kingdom together. They also look at the evidence from the Ramesseum and the colossi at Abu Simbel, where the king's children are depicted in miniature, each labeled with their name. From the crown prince Amunherkhepeshef to the priestly Khaemwaset, who would become a legend in his own right, these sons carried the weight of the throne. But with so many heirs, what did that mean for the succession? And how did Ramses manage such a vast household? Tune in for a fresh look at the family behind the pharaoh. #RamsesII #19thDynasty #Kemet #AbuSimbel #Ramesseum #Amunherkhepeshef #Khaemwaset #Merenptah #RoyalNursery #RoyalPrinces #PharaohChildren #AncientEgypt #NewKingdom #Hieroglyphs #ChariotWarfare #Karnak #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 behind the legend, and how modern preservation battles with ancient remains. The episode covers the role of Maspero, the 'mummy passport', the papyrus records of the original reburials, and the ongoing debate over DNA testing on royal mummies. #RamsesII #Mummy #DeirElBahari #Egyptology #Maspero #CTScan #Paris #NewKingdom #Kemet #History #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #MummyPassport #DNA #Museum #Science #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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: the sheer number of children, the inevitable succession crises, and the challenge of keeping the empire together as the king aged. How did Ramses manage to stay on the throne for so long, and what happened after he finally died? Lucas explains the clever politics of co-regency, the role of his sons, and the way he used festivals and diplomacy to reinforce his authority. This episode also touches on the Egyptological debate over the mummy of Ramses II, his legacy in later Greek and Roman sources, and what his reign reveals about the nature of power in the ancient world. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #Kemet #LongestReign #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #EgyptianHistory #CoRegency #SetiI #PerRamesses #AbuSimbel #Ramesside #Egyptology #Mummy #Succession #NorthAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 quarry, a Coptic church, and a source of inspiration for antiquarians like Giovanni Belzoni. Along the way, they reveal how the Ramesseum functioned as a propaganda machine, a calendar, and a breadbasket for the living and the dead. #RamsesII #Ramesseum #AncientEgypt #Kemet #Thebes #MortuaryTemple #Ozymandias #Shelley #Kadesh #GiovanniBelzoni #NewKingdom #Amun #HouseOfMillionsOfYears #Luxor #WestBank #Egyptology #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 Luxor, Abydos, and the Ramesseum, and the legacy of a pharaoh who remade Egypt's landscape. #RamsesII #GreatHypostyleHall #Karnak #SetiI #AncientEgypt #Kemet #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #Luxor #Abydos #Ramesseum #Architecture #BuildingProjects #Stonecarving #ColossalColumns #Monuments #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 festival to cement his status as a living god. Through the reliefs at Karnak and the Ramesseum, they reconstruct the mysterious Heb-Sed: the running of the king, the offering to the gods, the double enthronement that symbolized his rule over Upper and Lower Egypt. They also delve into the darker side of divine kingship: the ritual sacrifice that may have accompanied the earliest Sed festivals, and how Ramses repurposed this ancient rite for political ends. With a nod to the recent archaeology at Abydos and the work of Henri Frankfort, this episode reveals how a pharaoh's greatest enemy was not the Hittites, but time itself—and how he defeated it with ritual, architecture, and the unyielding power of myth. #RamsesII #SedFestival #HebSed #AncientEgypt #Kemet #Pharaoh #DivineKingship #Karnak #Ramesseum #Abydos #NewKingdom #Nile #Egyptology #HenriFrankfort #Ritual #Mythology #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 and what it tells us about Ramses' ambition and the realities of ancient Egyptian urban life. This is a story of power, memory, and the shifting courses of the Nile. #PerRamesses #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #Kemet #Delta #AmunRe #UserrenputAanehktu #Hittites #Kadesh #Nile #Archaeology #UrbanHistory #NewKingdom #Pharaoh #Egyptology #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 also reveals the darker side: scribes as tax collectors, feared by farmers, and the brutal satire that mocked other professions. Along the way, Lucas recounts the career of Userrenput-aanehktu, a high-ranking official who rose through the ranks, and discusses the role of female scribes, the famous Deir el-Medina workmen's village, and the legacy of these literate few. With a blend of humor and respect, the conversation brings to life the everyday reality behind Ramses' monumental achievements. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #Scribes #Kemet #Hieratic #PerRamesses #DeirElMedina #HouseOfLife #UserrenputAanehktu #Kadesh #Nubia #AmunRe #NewKingdom #History #FexingoHistory #Egyptology #Pharaoh #Writing Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 touches on the dark undercurrents of his rule: the harem conspiracy that threatened his life, his assassination, and the economic decline that followed. Luna and Lucas explore how Ramses III used the document to secure his legacy and curry favor with the priesthood, even as Egypt's power waned. They discuss the significance of the papyrus as a primary source, its meticulous hieratic script, and what it reveals about the twilight of the Ramesside era. This episode offers a fresh perspective on a pivotal moment in Egyptian history, blending royal propaganda, conspiracy, and the fragile nature of empire. #GreatHarrisPapyrus #RamsesIII #MedinetHabu #AncientEgypt #Egyptology #Hieratic #HaremConspiracy #NewKingdom #Pharaoh #Kemet #AmunRe #Ramesside #Papyrus #20thDynasty #AncientHistory #History #FexingoHistory #Archaeology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 rediscovery of Abu Simbel by Giovanni Belzoni, the extraordinary UNESCO salvage operation that moved the temples piece by piece in the 1960s, and the ongoing debate over how these structures were perceived by the Nubian people themselves—whether as symbols of domination or centers of worship. Lucas also shares the story of Setau, the Viceroy of Kush who oversaw much of the building, and reads from the inscriptions that boast of Ramses' 'strong arm' and his role as 'lord of the two lands.' The episode closes with a reflection on how the temples' relocation, while saving them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, also severed them from their original sacred landscape. #RamsesII #AbuSimbel #Nubia #AncientEgypt #Kush #Temples #UNESCO #Belzoni #GiovanniBelzoni #Setau #ViceroyofKush #AmunRe #RaHorakhty #Ptah #LakeNasser #RockCutTemples #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 accounts, the role of the Ne'arin, the controversial treaty that followed, and how Ramses' version of events shaped his legacy for millennia. This episode goes beyond the heroics to ask: what does it mean when a king's greatest triumph is also his greatest fabrication? #RamsesII #BattleOfKadesh #Hittites #AncientEgypt #Kadesh #Pentaur #Ne'arin #Orontes #HattusiliIII #EgyptianHistory #Propaganda #MilitaryHistory #BronzeAge #NorthAfrica #Kemet #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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 charismatic Merenptah. Along the way, we examine the administrative decay and economic strains that set in during these twilight years, and how Ramses' obsessive self-glorification shaped his legacy. The episode ends with his final journey: death at around 90, embalming, burial in KV7, and the subsequent tomb robbery that scattered his remains. A poignant look at the human side of an empire's most powerful pharaoh. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #FinalYears #Merenptah #KV7 #MummyStudies #EgyptianHistory #Userrenput-aanehktu #Kemet #Pharaoh #Succession #Arthritis #TombRobbery #NewKingdom #History #FexingoHistory #Egyptology #Aging Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, we follow Ramses the Great beyond his death — exploring the construction and plundering of his tomb, KV7, in the Valley of the Kings; the desperate measures taken by priests to hide his mummy from tomb robbers; and the dramatic rediscovery in 1881 by Victor Loret and Gaston Maspero. We discuss the state of his mummy when found, the medical examination that revealed his ailments and possible cause of death, and the modern controversies over its display. A story of legacy, decay, and the lengths a civilization will go to preserve its greatest king. #RamsesII #EgyptianMummy #KV7 #ValleyOfTheKings #DeirElBahri #VictorLoret #GastonMaspero #TombRobbery #MummyCache #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #Afterlife #Egyptology #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In the fifth year of his reign, Ramses the Great faced the most dangerous moment of his life: the Battle of Kadesh. This episode dives into the ambush by Hittite king Muwatalli II, Ramses' near capture, his desperate prayer to Amun, and the dramatic arrival of the Ne'arin reinforcements. We examine the two ancient Egyptian accounts—the Poem and the Bulletin—and the Hittite letters that tell a different story. Was Kadesh a victory, a draw, or a clever propaganda masterpiece? Join Lucas and Luna as they untangle the facts from the reliefs, the chariot tactics, and the legacy of a battle that Ramses made sure no one would forget. #BattleOfKadesh #RamsesTheGreat #Hittites #MuwatalliII #Ne'arin #KadeshPoem #KadeshBulletin #AncientEgypt #ChariotWarfare #Amun #Propaganda #Syria #OrontesRiver #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #MilitaryHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Ramses the Great, we explore the Ramesseum, Ramses II's magnificent mortuary temple on the west bank of Thebes. Built to last for millions of years, it was called the 'House of Millions of Years of User-Maat-Re' — a name that reflected Ramses' ambition for eternal life. We walk through its massive pylons, explore the fallen colossus that inspired Percy Shelley's famous poem 'Ozymandias,' and examine the intricate reliefs depicting the Battle of Kadesh and the Festival of Min. Lucas and Luna discuss how the temple functioned not just as a religious center but as an economic powerhouse, with granaries, treasuries, and a House of Life for scribes. They also consider the temple's afterlife — how its stones were reused by later builders, and how Shelley's verses turned Ramses' boast into a meditation on the transience of power. Along the way, they touch on the temple's role in Ramses' cult of personality and the preservation of its reliefs. A donation segment reminds listeners that small contributions at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo keep the show ad-free. #RamsesII #Ramesseum #Ozymandias #UserMaatRe #MortuaryTemple #HouseofMillionsofYears #Thebes #AncientEgypt #Kadesh #FestivalofMin #Shelley #FallenColossus #Egyptology #Architecture #Pharaoh #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Ramses II fathered over a hundred children, but living past most of them created a succession crisis. This episode explores the sons who died before him, the discovery of KV5—an enormous underground complex with over 150 chambers housing his eldest princes—and the rise of Merenptah, the 13th son who finally took the throne. We discuss the political dynamics of the royal nursery, the role of daughters like Bintanath, and how Ramses literally carved his legacy into the Valley of the Kings. A fresh look at family, mortality, and power in ancient Kemet. #RamsesII #KV5 #ValleyOfTheKings #Merenptah #Kemet #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #Succession #Amunherkhepeshef #Bintanath #RoyalFamily #Archaeology #TombDiscovery #KV5Tomb #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica #Egyptology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Before the Suez Canal, before Darius, there was Ramses the Great's canal — an ancient waterway linking the Nile to the Red Sea. This episode traces the engineering, logistics, and geopolitics behind this forgotten megaproject. We follow the canal's route from the Pelusiac branch of the Nile near Per-Ramesses, through the Wadi Tumilat, to the Bitter Lakes and the Gulf of Suez. We discuss the corvée labour system that built it, the ships that sailed it (Byblos-runner types and Punt-venturing vessels), and the stelae Ramses erected to commemorate his achievement, including the one found at Tell el-Maskhuta. We explore how the canal enabled trade with Punt, bypassed the Nile cataracts for Red Sea access, and later influenced Necho II and Darius I. We also examine the controversy: was this a fully navigable canal or a seasonal irrigation channel? Archaeological evidence from the 20th century excavation by Labib Habachi and others is weighed. Finally, we consider the canal's role in Ramses's broader imperial strategy — tying together his delta capital, his Nubian gold routes, and his Asian campaigns. A fascinating look at ancient state infrastructure and the power of water. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #Canal #RedSea #Nile #WadiTumilat #PerRamesses #TellElMaskhuta #LabibHabachi #Punt #SuezCanal #AncientEngineering #CorveeLabor #NechoII #DariusI #Kemet #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

When we think of Ramses the Great, we picture chariots thundering across the plains of Kadesh. But Egypt's power also floated on the Nile and the Mediterranean. In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into Ramses's navy — the warships, supply vessels, and troop transports that extended his reach from the Delta to the Levantine coast. They explore the design of Egyptian ships, the crucial role of Byblos timber, the logistics of moving armies by water, and the little-known naval battle against the Sherden sea raiders. Along the way, they touch on the ports of Per-Ramesses and Tjaru, the use of sail and oar, and how Ramses projected force across the Great Green, securing Egypt's dominance for decades. A fresh angle on a pharaoh known for his monuments, revealing the unseen arm of his military might. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #EgyptianNavy #NavalHistory #PerRamesses #Tjaru #Byblos #Sherden #Mediterranean #Nile #Kadesh #MilitaryHistory #AncientWarships #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #FexingoHistory #History #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh, Lucas and Luna dive into the battle reliefs at the Ramesseum and Karnak that depict the Battle of Kadesh. But these aren't straightforward historical records—they're carefully crafted propaganda. Lucas explains how Ramses reshaped a near-disaster into a personal victory, rewriting history on stone. They explore the specific scenes: the rescue by the Amun division, the personal bravery of the pharaoh, and the controversial 'Hittite spy' story. Lucas also introduces the Egyptian term for the reliefs—sS n qd—and discusses how the hieroglyphic captions interact with the images to create a narrative of divine favor. The episode also touches on the Kadesh Treaty as a later diplomatic resolution, contrasting the bellicose reliefs with the pragmatic peace. Donation segment ties listener support to preserving knowledge of ancient storytelling. #RamsesTheGreat #BattleOfKadesh #Karnak #Ramesseum #EgyptianPropaganda #Hieroglyphs #NewKingdom #Hittites #Kemet #WarReliefs #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #Userrenputaanehktu #AbuSimbel #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica #Archaeology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna explore the immense political and economic power wielded by the high priests of Amun-Re during Ramses the Great's reign. They delve into the career of Bekenkhons, who served as High Priest of Amun for over 27 years, and his predecessor Nebwenenef. The conversation covers the priesthood's control over vast temple estates, their role as power brokers in Thebes, and how Ramses managed this influential institution through strategic appointments and by elevating other cults like that of Ptah. Listeners will learn about the daily rituals performed in Karnak, the temple's role as an economic engine, and the delicate balance between pharaoh and clergy that shaped Ramses's rule. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #HighPriest #AmunRe #Bekenkhons #Nebwenenef #Karnak #Thebes #TempleEconomy #Priesthood #Pharaoh #EgyptianReligion #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #Ptah #PerRamesses #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In Episode 170, Lucas and Luna explore the diplomatic masterpiece that ended decades of war between Egypt and the Hittite Empire: the Treaty of Kadesh, often called the world's first surviving peace treaty. They walk through the crumbling political landscape after the famous battle—neither side had won decisively, and both empires were exhausted. Lucas unpacks the years of back-channel negotiations, the exchange of letters in Akkadian cuneiform, and the key players: Hattusili III, who seized the Hittite throne, and Ramses, who saw a chance for stability. They discuss the treaty's terms—extradition clauses, mutual defense pacts, and the marriage alliance that sealed it—all inscribed on silver tablets and copied onto temple walls at Karnak and Ramesseum. Luna wonders about enforcement, and Lucas explains how the treaty was reinforced by the arrival of a Hittite princess, Maathorneferure, who became Ramses's queen. They also touch on the treaty's legacy: a copy hangs in the United Nations today. The episode ends with a reflection on what peace meant for two ancient superpowers—and what it cost. #RamsesTheGreat #TreatyOfKadesh #HittiteEmpire #HattusiliIII #Maathorneferure #Karnak #Ramesseum #Akkadian #EgyptianHittitePeace #AncientDiplomacy #WorldsFirstPeaceTreaty #SilverTablet #Puduhepa #Kemet #BronzeAge #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

From the gold mines of Nubia to the temples of Abu Simbel, Ramses the Great's reign depended on one man: Setau, the Viceroy of Kush. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how this former military officer became the second-most powerful figure in Egypt, overseeing the extraction of Nubian gold that financed Ramses's building projects and diplomatic outreach. They discuss Setau's rise under the shadow of earlier viceroys like Amenemope, his role in constructing the temples of Gerf Hussein and Wadi es-Sebua, and how he navigated the tension between Egyptian pharaohs and Nubian chiefs. The conversation also touches on the hieroglyphic inscriptions Setau left behind, the logistics of gold mining, and the legacy of Nubian gold in Egyptian history—including the economic pressures that ultimately destabilized the empire. A deep dive into a figure who managed the wealth of an empire. #Setau #ViceroyOfKush #NubianGold #RamsesTheGreat #AbuSimbel #GerfHussein #WadiEsSebua #Kush #EgyptianGoldMines #Amenemope #LowerNubia #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #AncientEgypt #NorthAfrica #FexingoHistory #History #AncientHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked role of beer in Ramses the Great's Egypt. Beer was more than a daily staple—it was a currency, a religious offering, and a tool of state control. Lucas explains how brewers produced tens of thousands of gallons annually for temple rituals, worker rations, and diplomatic gifts. He discusses the ingredients—emmer wheat, dates, and flavorings like coriander—and the brewing process, which included a unique 'sweet' style for festivals. The conversation touches on the economic scale at Per-Ramesses, the political symbolism of beer in the Kadesh treaty, and archaeological evidence from Deir el-Medina and the Ramesseum. Luna asks about the role of women brewers and the link to divinities like Hathor and Sekhmet. A donation segment asks listeners to support ad-free history at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. The episode ends with a reflection on how everyday commodities shaped empire. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #BeerHistory #Kemet #PerRamesses #DeirElMedina #Hathor #Sekhmet #KadeshTreaty #Brewing #EmmerWheat #WorkerRations #TempleEconomy #FexingoHistory #History #NorthAfrica #NewKingdom #AncientBrewing Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the often-overlooked role of Ramses the Great's royal wives in diplomacy and dynastic strategy. Beyond Nefertari, Ramses married at least seven other Great Royal Wives, including two Hittite princesses — Maathorneferure and a second whose name is lost — as part of the peace treaty with Hattusili III. They also discuss Isetnofret, mother of Ramses's successor Merenptah, and the political marriages to Babylonian and Syrian princesses. The conversation delves into the harem conspiracy that may have threatened Ramses's succession, the diplomatic letters found at Hattusa, and how these marriages shaped the Late Bronze Age Near East. Specific terms include Hattusa, Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty, Maathorneferure, Isetnofret, Merenptah, harem conspiracy, diplomatic correspondence, and the role of royal women in maintaining empire. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #HittiteEmpire #Maathorneferure #Isetnofret #Merenptah #HaremConspiracy #LateBronzeAge #Diplomacy #RoyalWives #Hattusa #EgyptianHittitePeace #NorthAfrica #AncientHistory #Pharaoh #NewKingdom #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses the Great's Sed Festival (heb sed), the ancient Egyptian jubilee that Ramses used to project eternal vitality and divine favor. They discuss the origins of the festival in the Predynastic period and its evolution by the New Kingdom. Lucas explains how Ramses celebrated multiple sed festivals—rare for any pharaoh—and how these events were staged at his new capital Per-Ramesses and at the sacred site of Memphis. The conversation covers the ritual running of the 'Djeser' course, the erection of the Djed pillar, and the construction of a special heb sed court. Luna asks about the logistics of such massive celebrations, and Lucas details the role of Ramses's son Khaemwaset in organizing them. They also touch on the propaganda value of these festivals, as shown in reliefs at the Ramesseum and Medinet Habu. The episode ties the sed festival to Ramses's broader strategy of legitimizing his rule after the Battle of Kadesh and his long reign. This is a deep dive into a specific ritual that defined Ramses's self-image as a living god. #RamsesTheGreat #SedFestival #HebSed #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #PerRamesses #Khaemwaset #Memphis #Djeser #DjedPillar #NewKingdom #Ramesseum #MedinetHabu #EgyptianRitual #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica #Kemet #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

From the Hittite frontlines to the courts of Babylon, Ramses the Great ruled an empire that stretched across the ancient Near East. But keeping it together required more than chariots and treaties—it demanded an invisible army of messengers, spies, and diplomats. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the networks that carried sealed dispatches from Per-Ramesses to Hattusa, the intelligence-gathering that fed Ramses's war machine, and the envoys who negotiated peace with Egypt's greatest rivals. Discover how the Egyptian diplomatic corps used cuneiform, Akkadian as a lingua franca, and even marriage alliances to project power without lifting a sword. Based on the Amarna letters and Hittite archives, this conversation uncovers the shadowy world of ancient statecraft. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #Diplomacy #Hittites #PerRamesses #Akkadian #AmarnaLetters #Hattusa #Kadesh #Maathorneferure #Puduhepa #Intelligence #Spies #NorthAfrica #BronzeAge #History #FexingoHistory #DiplomaticCorps Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Ramses II ruled for 66 years, built colossal temples, and fathered over 100 children. But none of that was possible without water. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the massive irrigation projects that transformed Egypt's agricultural landscape during the 19th Dynasty. From the Bahr Yussef canal connecting the Nile to the Fayyum Oasis, to the shaduf—a simple but revolutionary water-lifting device—they uncover how Ramses's engineers managed the annual flood and extended farmland into the desert. They discuss Mery, the king's chief water engineer, and the network of basins and canals that doubled crop yields, feeding a growing population and funding the pharaoh's building spree. The conversation also touches on the political power of grain storage, how the temples controlled distribution, and the role of the mysterious nilometer priests who predicted the inundation. Along the way, they visit the ancient nilometer at Elephantine and the remains of a massive dam at Sadd el-Kafara. This is the infrastructure story behind the golden age of Egypt's most famous pharaoh. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #Irrigation #Nile #Fayyum #Shaduf #Nilometer #BahrYussef #SaddElKafara #Agriculture #19thDynasty #WaterEngineering #Kemet #Elephantine #Mery #History #FexingoHistory #Pharaoh Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In Episode 126, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary political and diplomatic role of Nefertari, Ramses II's Great Royal Wife. They discuss her marriage to Ramses, her involvement in Hittite diplomacy, the letters she exchanged with Queen Puduhepa of Hatti, her temple at Abu Simbel dedicated to the goddess Hathor, and her titles like 'Lady of the Two Lands' and 'Sweet of Love.' The episode also covers her death, her tomb in the Valley of the Queens (QV66), and how her legacy shaped Ramses's reign. Along the way, they touch on the Egyptian concept of 'hemet nesu weret' (Great Royal Wife) and the role of royal women in New Kingdom Egypt. #Nefertari #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #AbuSimbel #HittiteDiplomacy #ValleyOfTheQueens #QV66 #Puduhepa #Hathor #GreatRoyalWife #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #EgyptianQueens #Kemet #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #WomenInHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

This episode of Fexingo History goes deep into the construction and meaning of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, the largest single-room religious structure ever built. Lucas and Luna explore how Ramses II and his father Seti I transformed the temple precinct of Amun-Re into a stone forest of 134 towering columns, some rising 21 meters. They discuss the logistics of quarrying sandstone from Gebel el-Silsila, the symbolic layout of the hall with its raised central nave and side aisles representing the primeval marsh, and the carved reliefs that show Ramses making offerings to the gods. The episode also covers the hall's later history—how it was nearly dismantled by earthquake and how early travelers like the French Description de l'Égypte recorded its grandeur. Listeners will learn about the unknown architects who designed the hypostyle, the workforce of craftsmen from Deir el-Medina, and the ongoing conservation efforts at the site today. This is a focused look at one of ancient Egypt's most breathtaking architectural achievements, told through the lens of Ramses II's building program. #Karnak #GreatHypostyleHall #AmunRe #SetiI #RamsesII #GebelElSilsila #DeirElMedina #AncientEgypt #EgyptianArchitecture #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #SandstoneQuarrying #PrimevalMound #PapyrusColumn #HypostyleHall #Conservation #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In the waning years of his 67-year reign, Ramses II ordered the construction of a colossal statue of himself at Tanis, a city in the Nile Delta. This episode traces the journey of that 100-ton quartzite colossus from the quarry at Gebel el-Ahmar near modern Cairo to its final home at the temple of Amun-Re in Tanis. We follow the logistics—the sledges, the thousands of workers, the seasonal flooding that allowed transport along the Pelusiac branch of the Nile. We also explore why Tanis, a relatively minor settlement, became the pharaoh's second northern capital and the site of his most audacious monumental statement. Lucas and Luna discuss the political motives behind Ramses's northern push, the role of the goddess Mut, and how the colossus survived into the Third Intermediate Period as a symbol of enduring royal power. Along the way, we touch on the workmen's village at Deir el-Medina, the use of water channels to move stone, and the theological rivalry between the cults of Amun-Re and Seth. #RamsesII #Tanis #Colossus #GebelElAhmar #PelusiacBranch #AmunRe #EgyptianQuarrying #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #DeirElMedina #SledgeTransport #NileDelta #Mut #Seth #ThirdIntermediatePeriod #AncientEngineering #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the often-overlooked role of desert patrols in Ramses II's Egypt. They delve into the Shasu bedouin, the fortress of Tjaru, and the Ways of Horus military road. Discover how the Medjay police force and local commanders maintained order along the eastern frontier, protecting trade routes and border security. Learn about the strategic importance of the Sinai and the challenges of policing a vast desert landscape. #RamsesII #DesertPatrols #EasternFrontier #Shasu #Tjaru #WaysOfHorus #Medjay #Sinai #Kemet #AncientEgypt #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #BorderSecurity #TradeRoutes #MilitaryHistory #EgyptianArmy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the lost city of Per-Banebdjedet, the cult center of the ram-headed god Banebdjedet in the Nile Delta. Ramses the Great erected massive granite monoliths there, including a colossal statue of himself as the god. The city was a key administrative hub for the 19th Dynasty, linking the Delta to the Mediterranean trade routes. Lucas explains how the site, now called Tell el-Ruba, was excavated in the 1990s, revealing Ramses's grand temple and a mysterious sphinx avenue that may have connected it to the nearby city of Mendes. The episode also touches on Ramses's religious strategy—using local cults to consolidate power—and the eventual decline of the city after the Third Intermediate Period. Listeners will learn about the god Banebdjedet, the role of the Delta cults in Ramses's reign, and the archaeological challenges of preserving mudbrick structures in the damp Delta soil. #RamsesII #PerBanebdjedet #Banebdjedet #TellElRuba #Mendes #NileDelta #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #EgyptianReligion #RamessidePeriod #AncientEgypt #Archaeology #CultCenter #ColossalStatue #SphinxAvenue #DeltaCults #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Long before Ramses II became the legendary builder and warrior pharaoh, he served as a young prince leading desert patrols along Egypt's eastern frontier. This episode traces his early military career, from skirmishing with Shasu bedouin near the Ways of Horus to commanding garrisons at Tjaru and the fortified wells along the Sinai route. Lucas and Luna explore the daily reality of frontier policing: camel caravans, water stops, signal fires, and the tension between local tribes and Egyptian authority. We also unpack the evidence from reliefs at Beit el-Wali and the Karnak annals, which hint at Ramses' hands-on role before he ever fought at Kadesh. Plus, a look at how these patrols shaped his later diplomatic strategy with the Hittites — knowing the desert made him cautious about supply lines. If you think Ramses only sat on a throne or charged in a chariot, this episode will change your mind. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #DesertPatrols #WaysOfHorus #Tjaru #Shasu #Sinai #BeitelWali #Karnak #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #Frontier #MilitaryHistory #Chariotry #SupplyLines #Bedouin #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Why would the most prolific builder pharaoh leave projects unfinished? This episode explores Ramses II's incomplete monuments: the abandoned second court at the Ramesseum, the unfinished colossi at Tanis, and the mysterious 'unfinished obelisk' at Aswan. We discuss how even Ramses's vast resources had limits—logistical failures, shifting priorities, and the practical realities of New Kingdom construction. Learn about the workers who walked away mid-carving, the quarry marks that reveal hasty changes, and what these remnants tell us about the cracks in Ramses's divine image. A rare look at failure in an age of triumph. #RamsesII #UnfinishedMonuments #Ramesseum #Tanis #UnfinishedObelisk #AswanQuarry #NewKingdom #EgyptianArchitecture #Kemet #Pharaoh #ConstructionFailures #QuarryMarks #Colossi #Seth #PerRamesses #AncientEgypt #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary length of Ramses II's 67-year reign, the second longest in Egyptian history. They examine the key factors that sustained his rule for so long: a combination of military victories, monumental building projects, diplomatic marriages, and careful management of the economy and succession. The conversation covers his early co-regency with Seti I, the propaganda value of the Battle of Kadesh, the Hittite peace treaty, and the roles of his many children, especially Khaemwaset and Merenptah. They also discuss how Ramses leveraged the annual Nile flood (Hapi) through agricultural policies and used his vast network of temples, including the Ramesseum and Per-Ramesses, to project power. The episode touches on the practical realities of governing an empire for over six decades, including the challenges of maintaining health, securing loyalty, and managing the transition to a new pharaoh. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how one pharaoh managed to hold power longer than almost any other ruler in history. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #Pharaoh #67YearReign #Kemet #PerRamesses #Hapi #Kadesh #HittiteTreaty #Khaemwaset #Merenptah #SetiI #Ramesseum #EgyptianHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Ramses II ruled Egypt for 67 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. How did he hold onto power for so long in the volatile Late Bronze Age? This episode of Fexingo History explores the practical strategies behind his longevity: from his careful management of the priestly class at Karnak and Amun-Re's temple, to his strategic use of royal marriages including the famous Hittite peace treaty, to his unprecedented building program that employed thousands and kept the economy stable. We examine how Ramses balanced the competing powers of the Amun priesthood, the military elite, and the royal family, particularly his sons Khaemwaset and Merenptah. We also look at the role of the Deir el-Medina workmen's strike in Year 29, the earliest recorded labor action in history, and what it reveals about his rule. And we consider the succession crisis after his death that nearly unraveled the 19th Dynasty. From Per-Ramesses to the Valley of the Kings, this is the story of how one man kept a vast empire together for nearly seven decades. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #19thDynasty #Kemet #Pharaoh #PerRamesses #Karnak #AmunRe #Khaemwaset #Merenptah #DeirElMedina #HittitePeace #LateBronzeAge #NewKingdom #Succession #BuildingProgram #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into Ramses the Great's military campaigns in Nubia, exploring how he secured Egypt's southern frontier and exploited the region's vast resources. They discuss the annexation of Kush, the construction of temples like Wadi es-Sebua and Beit el-Wali, and the role of the Viceroy of Kush, Setau, in administering the conquered territories. The conversation also examines the cultural and economic impact of Nubian gold and trade, the interaction between Egyptian and Kushite cultures, and the long-term legacy of Ramses's Nubian policies, which shaped Egypt's relations with the south for centuries. Lucas and Luna also touch on the debated chronology of Ramses's Nubian wars and the archaeological evidence from sites like Kerma and Gebel Barkal. #RamsesII #Nubia #Kush #Setau #AncientEgypt #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #WadiEsSebua #BeitElWali #Kerma #GebelBarkal #NubianGold #Pharaoh #MilitaryHistory #Imperialism #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this special 100th episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the fascinating story of Ramses the Great's own tomb, KV7, in the Valley of the Kings. Unlike the more famous tomb of Tutankhamun, KV7 is one of the largest and most elaborate royal tombs ever built in Egypt, yet it remains largely unknown to the public. Lucas reveals how Ramses deliberately broke with tradition by being the first pharaoh to construct his tomb in a new location—the Valley of the Kings—setting a precedent for all subsequent New Kingdom rulers. The episode dives into the tomb's innovative architecture, its stunning decorations, and the challenges faced by modern archaeologists, including flooding and looting. Lucas also discusses the discovery of Ramses's mummy in the Deir el-Bahri cache, the ongoing conservation efforts, and the mysteries that still surround the tomb, such as the missing sarcophagus lid. Luna's curious questions guide the conversation, making this a perfect entry point for listeners new to the topic. The episode ends on a reflective note about the fragility of even the greatest monuments. #RamsesII #KV7 #ValleyOfTheKings #AncientEgypt #Pharaoh #Tomb #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #Archaeology #Egyptology #Thebes #DeirElBahri #RoyalCache #Sarcophagus #Looting #Conservation #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the crucial role of archery in Ramses II's military campaigns, focusing on the composite bow — a weapon of advanced design that gave Egypt a strategic edge. They discuss the types of wood and sinew used, the training of specialized bowmen, and the tactical deployment of archers in chariot warfare, as depicted at the Battle of Kadesh. The conversation also touches on the symbolic importance of the bow in Egyptian culture, from hunting scenes in tombs to the pharaoh's own prowess as an archer. Listeners will learn about the production of arrows, the role of Nubian and Sherden archers in Ramses' army, and how this technology compared with that of Hittite and Sea Peoples adversaries. The episode draws on evidence from the Medinet Habu reliefs and the Kadesh inscriptions to reconstruct the reality of archery in the New Kingdom. #RamsesII #CompositeBow #EgyptianArchery #BattleOfKadesh #MedinetHabu #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #NubianArchers #Sherden #MilitaryHistory #ChariotWarfare #AncientWeapons #Hittites #SeaPeoples #Arrows #SinewBow #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

For decades, Ramses the Great's military campaigns have been overshadowed by the Battle of Kadesh. But in his later years, Egypt faced a different threat: waves of Libyan tribes pressing into the Nile Delta. This episode explores Ramses' Libyan war—a brutal, strategically complex conflict that reshaped Egypt's western frontier. We trace the origins of the Libyan incursions, the tribes involved (Meshwesh, Libu), and Ramses' decisive counterattacks. Drawing on reliefs at Medinet Habu and inscriptions from Per-Ramesses, we examine the tactics, the fortifications, and the aftermath: Libyan prisoners resettled as soldiers, a pattern that would later destabilize Egypt. We also consider the environmental and economic pressures driving the Libyans west—drought, population shift—and how Ramses' response set a precedent for his successors. The episode closes by linking these campaigns to the later Libyan takeover of Egypt under the 22nd Dynasty, showing how Ramses' solutions sowed the seeds of future change. #RamsesII #LibyanWar #Egyptology #NewKingdom #Meshwesh #Libu #MedinetHabu #PerRamesses #AncientEgypt #NorthAfrica #LateBronzeAge #MilitaryHistory #19thDynasty #FrontierDefense #PrisonersOfWar #DesertWarfare #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the economic engine behind Ramses the Great's monumental building projects and military campaigns: gold. They travel to the mines of the Eastern Desert and Nubia, discussing the logistics of extraction, the role of the state, and how gold from places like the Wadi Hammamat and the mines of Kush financed an empire. They touch on the Turin Papyrus Map, the oldest surviving topographical map, which guided expeditions to gold deposits. The conversation also covers the tribute system from vassal states and the diplomatic role of gold in the Late Bronze Age world, including gifts to Hittite royalty. Ramses' control of gold was key to his power, but it also created dependencies and vulnerabilities. This episode offers a fresh angle on the economic history of New Kingdom Egypt, revealing how the pharaoh's wealth was both a source of strength and a strategic challenge. #RamsesTheGreat #AncientEgypt #GoldMining #NubianGold #TurinPapyrusMap #EasternDesert #WadiHammamat #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #Kemet #Kush #EconomicHistory #LateBronzeAge #PharaonicWealth #MiningTechnology #TributeSystem #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy figure of Crown Prince Ramses—the firstborn son of Ramses the Great who was groomed to rule but died before his father, leaving the throne to his younger brother Merenptah. They piece together his life from scattered inscriptions: his titles as King's Son, his military role at Kadesh depicted on temple walls, his priestly duties in Memphis, and his sudden disappearance from records around Year 40 of Ramses' reign. The conversation touches on the mystery of his death—was it disease, war, or palace intrigue?—and what his loss meant for the succession. They also examine how Ramses the Great's extraordinarily long reign meant he outlived at least a dozen sons, a dynastic near-crisis that shaped Egypt's late 19th Dynasty. Filled with specific references to inscriptions, temple reliefs, and the politics of royal succession, this episode sheds light on a figure history nearly forgot. #RamsesTheGreat #CrownPrinceRamses #Merenptah #Kadesh #19thDynasty #NewKingdom #EgyptianSuccession #PharaohsSons #Memphis #LuxorTemple #Ramesseum #Abydos #AncientEgypt #RoyalFamily #LostHeir #FexingoHistory #History #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1258 BCE, after decades of war and the famous Battle of Kadesh, Pharaoh Ramses II and Hittite King Hattusili III signed a peace treaty that ended the conflict between their empires. This episode explores the text of that treaty, discovered in both Egyptian hieroglyphs at Karnak and Hittite cuneiform at Hattusa. Lucas and Luna discuss the terms—extradition of refugees, mutual defense, and divine witnesses—and what it reveals about diplomacy in the Late Bronze Age. They also touch on the silver tablet the Hittites sent, the role of Queen Puduhepa, and how this treaty became a model for future international agreements. A fragment of history that still shapes our world. #RamsesTheGreat #HittitePeaceTreaty #HattusiliIII #Puduhepa #Karnak #Hattusa #LateBronzeAge #Diplomacy #Treaty #Kadesh #Egyptology #AncientHistory #Peace #SilverTablet #FexingoHistory #History #NorthAfrica #MiddleEast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In the 34th year of his reign, Ramses the Great secured a historic peace with the Hittite Empire by marrying a Hittite princess, the daughter of King Hattusili III and Queen Puduhepa. This episode explores the diplomatic negotiations, the princess's journey from Hattusa to Per-Ramesses, her Egyptian name Maathorneferure, and the political and cultural implications of the marriage. Lucas and Luna discuss the letters exchanged between Ramses and the Hittite court, the wedding procession through the Orontes Valley, and how this union solidified the peace treaty that had been signed years earlier. They also touch on the role of Queen Nefertari, who may have welcomed the new wife. The episode sheds light on the personal and strategic dimensions of royal marriage in the ancient world, using primary sources like the Hittite cuneiform tablets and Egyptian inscriptions. A fascinating look at diplomacy, love, and power in the Bronze Age. #RamsesTheGreat #HittitePrincess #Maathorneferure #HattusiliIII #Puduhepa #PerRamesses #AncientDiplomacy #RoyalMarriage #BronzeAge #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #HittiteEmpire #PeaceTreaty #Kemet #Egyptology #History #FexingoHistory #AncientMarriage Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses the Great's coronation ceremony—a ritual that transformed him from prince into living god. They walk through the sacred journey from Memphis to Abydos, the Osireion temple, the white sedan chair, the presentation of the crook and flail, and the moment he received the fivefold titulary: Horus, Nebty, Golden Horus, Nisut-Bity, and Sa-Re. They discuss the political significance of choosing Abydos, the role of the goddess Ma'at, and how Ramses used his coronation to cement his legitimacy after the death of his father Seti I. Specific details include the Karnak inscription recording his titulary, the meaning of his Golden Horus name 'Userrenput-aanehktu' (Rich in Years, Great of Victories), and the debate over whether his co-regency with Seti I actually happened. The episode also touches on how this event set the tone for his 66-year reign. #RamsesII #Coronation #Abydos #Osireion #Pharaoh #AncientEgypt #SetiI #Karnak #FivefoldTitulary #Ma'at #Horus #Nebty #GoldenHorus #NisutBity #SaRe #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo