Interlude: Celebrating the Divine.
In a short break from our narrative history, we visit two types of Egyptian festivals: the raucous celebrations for Hathor, and the sombre re-enactment of the Osiris Passion Play.
From beer halls to temples to cemeteries, thi episode explores Egyptian revelry. Hedonism and solemn rites get a look in, with a particular focus on humour and sexuality.
Bibliography
- John C. Darnell, “The Opet Festival.” UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology.
- LA Times interview with Prof. Betsy M. Bryan, Johns Hopkins University.
- E.F. Morris, “Sacred and Obscene Laughter in the Contendings of Horus and Seth,” in Egyptian Stories, 2007.
- Plutarch, Isis and Osiris (1st Century CE).
- The Ikher-nefret Stela (12th Dynasty).
- Additional Music by Vangelis – Alexander (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
love the series
minor note that the download link for this episode links to a .gif file and not an .mp3
Thanks David.
I have corrected the error 🙂
Dominic
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So, this seems like the best episode to ask my very off topic question.
Any chance you’re a fan of the ancient Egyptian themed death metal band from South Carolina called Nile?
Hopefully you talk about the slave stick sometime. I can’t find much outside the Nile song online that connects it to actual Egyptian practice.
Thanks for making the references to the Eye of Horus in the song clear for me
As always you are awesome.
Hi Jacob,
I am aware of Nile, but confess I haven’t listened to many of their songs as their style isn’t my thing (the hardest music I listen to is on the thrash metal end of the spectrum). But I could probably look up their lyrics and give you some thoughts
I love your podcast. I’ve been into Egypt since the nineties and I really enjoy listening to your histories! I’m so glad I found you!
I was wondering, though, if you were using the word “enervation” properly (if I’ve misunderstood you, just ignore this), it means “a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality; fatigue.” I doubt that any ceremonies held would have wanted to have this affect on the king/pharaoh. Again, forgive me if I’ve misunderstood you.
Hi Angela, thanks for listening! It’s been a long time since I wrote and recorded episode 40, so I can’t remember if this is a mistkae or a mispronciation of something else. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
No problem! You are very welcome. I just started listening a couple of weeks ago and have been learning a whole lot from you. So Thank You!
Was listening to this episode this morning and was kind of distracted because you implied that beer was an intoxicant, but in your interview with the wonderful Leslie Anne Warden, she indicated that beer was not alcoholic. A quick search of Faulkner shows that there are several different types of beer, so I was wondering if there has ever been a distinction made between beer for sustenance and beer for recreation and inebriation.?
Good question! I will have a look and see what I can find. If I uncover anything, I will discuss it in an episode 🙂