364. Ancient Egypt: The Fall of Akhenaten (Ep 3)
5/31/202653 min
Unlock the entire Ancient Egypt series early and ad-free by joining the Empire Club at empirepoduk.com Why did Akhenaten’s name get struck from the historical record after his death? Why did he build a new city in the sparse desert? Who ruled after he died? Anita and William are joined by Aidan Dodson, author of Amarna Sunset, to discuss the collapse of the Amarna Revolution. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Imogen Marriott Editor: Bruno Di Castri Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First 90 secondsWilliam Dalrymple· Host0:00
If you want access to bonus episodes, reading lists for every series of Empire, a chat community, discounts for all the books mentioned in the week's podcast, ad-free listening, and a weekly newsletter, sign up to Empire Club at www.empirepoduk.com.
Anita Anand· Host0:18
[upbeat music] Hello, and welcome to Empire with me, Anita Anand.
William Dalrymple· Host0:33
And me, William Durimple. Now, in the 12th year of his reign, the Pharaoh Akhenaten staged the most spectacular ceremony of his rule. From across the known world, delegations came to the new capital city of Amarna, bearing tribute, ivory and gold from Nubia, painted pottery from the Aegean, horses and lapis lazuli from the kingdoms of the Near East, exotic animals, bolts of fine cloth, cedar wood from Lebanon. The tomb paintings of Akhenaten's officials record it in extraordinary detail. Dozens of figures prostrated before the king and his queen, the rays of the Aten pouring down on all of them. Akhenaten and Nefertiti at the absolute zenith of their power, the revolution triumphant.
Anita Anand· Host1:28
It was also,