The History of Egypt

223: Ramesses & Hattusili Best Friends Forever

Egyptian-Hittite Diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Treaty, Ramesses II and Hattusili III got down to business establishing their brotherhood. From prospective summits in Canaan, to fabulous gift-exchanges by Nefertari and a prince, the Egyptian and Hittite courts negotiated their new bonds. Alas, things weren't always rosy, and the issue of Urhi-Teshub caused great friction between the two Kings. Finally, we meet the man who shuttled back-and-forth between these kingdoms, delivering the goods: the Egyptian royal messenger Netjerwymes aka Pirikhnawa gets a look in... Logo image: Hititte drinking vessel in the shape of a fist. Silver, 15th--13th Centuries BCE. Boston Museum of Fine Arts https://collections.mfa.org/objects/322343/drinking-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-fist [https://collections.mfa.org/objects/322343/drinking-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-fist] Music: Luke Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Let's visit Egypt? Tour 2026 November, "Roaming with Ramesses"

In November of 2026, I’d like to take you on a tour I’m calling “Roaming with Ramesses.” Themed around the 19th Dynasty, and the days of the Ramessid pharaohs, we’ll explore multiple sites across northern and southern Egypt. The tour is organised by my long-time collaborators, Ancient World Tours. They’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and every tour we’ve run has been a marvel of smooth sailing and general delights. So, we're in good hands. Tour costs, details, and sign-up form at https://www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/roaming-with-ramesses/ [https://www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/roaming-with-ramesses/] Password ROAMING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ramesses II War and Peace with Prof. Peter Brand

The ultimate pharaoh makes the ultimate agreement. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand offers us his insights on the cultures of Egypt and Hatti around the time of the Year 21 Treaty. From the background details of diplomatic correspondence, to the larger context of empires at war, we deep-dive the history of this important treaty. Learn more about Prof. Peter Brand's work at https://memphis.academia.edu/PeterBrand [https://memphis.academia.edu/PeterBrand]. Find Prof. Brand's book Ramesses II, Egypt's UIltimate Pharaoh via Lockwood Press [https://www.lockwoodpress.com/product-page/ramesses-ii-egypt-s-ultimate-pharaoh-paper] and all good retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

222: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty

The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty. In regnal year 21 (c.1272 BCE), Ramesses II announced a treaty with Hattusili III. The two kings united in "peace and brotherhood, forever," and agreed to a raft of provisions regarding their territories, vassals, rules-of-succession, and more. As the first (surviving) treaty between the two Great Powers, the year 21 agreement is a landmark in the history of diplomacy. We explore the text and its impact... Music: Luke Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

221: Ramesses II Raiders of Syria

The later wars of Ramesses II (Years 8 to 15). Following Kadesh, Ramesses led or despatched further campaigns into Canaan and Syria. These battles are documented on his temple walls, preserving some details of the geopolitical situation. From the death of a rival, to the plundering of Syria's heartland, we go in search of these "lost campaigns." Music: Ancient Lyric and Luke Chaos. Logo image: Ramesses II attacks Dapur (Wikimedia public domain [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ramses_II_besieging_the_Cheta_people_in_Dapur.jpg]). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]