The Reading Party Podcast

Join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, as they unpack the fast-paced plot and questionable historical accuracy of the book Pharaoh by Wilbur Smith on today’s episode of The Reading Party Podcast! 

Today on the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie discuss the 2014 movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" starring Christian Bale. Egyptologist Dr. Christian Casey, a postdoc at the Freie Universität Berlin working on the Zodiac Project, joins them to talk about ancient zodiacal terms and the development of horoscopes in Mesopotamia. Dr. Casey also shares insights on popular representations of ancient Egypt, focusing on accuracy and educating audiences about the reality of ancient Egyptian culture.Dr. Casey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osarnachthis/Website: https://www.caseyegyptologist.com/

Grab your tea and snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, today as they talk about the 2000 animated movie Joseph, King of Dreams with special guest Dr. Joshua Bowen, who shares his expertise as an honorary Hebrew Bible scholar to analyze the biblical context of the film! 

On today’s episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are joined by Egyptologist Kara Cooney, to discuss Egypt during Cleopatra's reign. Cleopatra's identity and heritage have been a subject of debate, with various theories suggesting different aspects of her ancestry. The episode discusses the possibility that Cleopatra may have had Egyptian ancestry, despite being part of the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty. One key piece of evidence supporting this theory is Cleopatra's ability to speak and read Egyptian, a language that was not commonly known among the ruling class of the Ptolemaic dynasty. This linguistic skill indicates a deeper connection to Egyptian culture and society than what was typical for a Ptolemaic ruler.The podcast also touches on the cultural representations in the film, such as the depiction of Egyptian and African individuals in stereotypical roles. The use of blackface and racial stereotypes in the film's portrayal of Egyptian and African characters reflects the problematic racial attitudes prevalent in the entertainment industry at the time. These portrayals perpetuated harmful stereotypes and reinforced colonialist narratives about race and identity.Ultimately, the complex relationship between Egypt and Rome, as explored in the podcast episode, highlights the power dynamics and political intricacies that shaped the interactions between these two ancient civilizations. Egypt's role as a provider of wealth and resources to Rome, coupled with Cleopatra's strategic maneuvers to maintain her rule, exemplifies the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that ultimately led to Egypt's absorption into the Roman Empire and the demise of its independent status.Join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians as they delve into ancient history and the legacy of Egyptian queens!

Today on The Reading Party Podcast, join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, as they shed light on the inaccuracies in costumes and historical context present in the 1963 movie Cleopatra, prompting discussions about the creative liberties taken in portraying ancient Egypt and Roman culture on screen. 

Your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, are back this week to delve into their changing perspective on Wilbur Smith's novel The Quest, a mystical high fantasy novel set in ancient Egypt. They explore problematic themes of race essentialism, exoticism, and strange relationships within the story. The discussion highlights uncomfortable elements like magical rituals involving sex for knowledge transfer and the villain who steals magic from others. While critical, you don't want to miss this discussion examining the book's flaws and contradictions, offering a nuanced take on its content!