Old Kingdom (Episode 1-24)

Djedkare Izezi (Part II) & Unas: the Cannibal HymnThe reign of Djedkare comes to an end after nearly forty years of rule. His successor, Unas, oversees some important theological and artistic…

Djedkare (Part I): the Philosophy of Rule(c. 2414 BCE) A shift in social relationships between royalty and elite families is well underway: the Viziers are now born not of royalty, but…

Niuserre (Part II): Hasty Burials, and Elite CultureComing to the throne after the premature death of his brother, Niuserre Ini must rapidly complete his predecessor's burial. He must also complete the pyramid…

Neferirkare and Khentykaus IIThe reign of Sahure draws to a close, and soon the throne passes to his mature son Neferirkare Kakai ("I make beautiful the soul of Re"). The great wife…

Off to punt we goUserkaf passes the throne to his son, Sahure ("One Who is Close to Re"). For the first time in recorded history, a royal fleet is dispatched from Egypt's…

The Fifth Dynasty AscendsShepseskaf ends the Fourth Dynasty, and his brother Userkaf begins a new one. How do we define the end of one “period” and the beginning of another? In this case,…