230: Khaemwaset & the Book of Thoth

The History of Egypt Podcast

Dominic Perry

History, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 March 2026

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The prince Kha-em-Waset (lived c.1260 BCE) was a learned man, and an accomplished priest. Centuries after his death, storytellers remembered the prince as a sage and magician. They told tales of his adventures, including one where Khaemwaset stole a magical book, belonging to the great god Djehuty/Thoth. In a tale of gothic horror, the prince must wrangle with the consequences of his greed... CONTENT WARNING: Story contains themes of suicide, murder, and sexual horror. Please listen with discretion. Music: Matt Uelman, "Tristram;" Keith Zizza, "Dissatisfaction," "Memories of Thebes," and "Beloved of Ma'at;" Ray Noble & His Orchestra, "Midnight with the Stars and You (Instrumental);" TableTop Audio "The Mummy's Tomb." Logo image: Statue of Khaemwaset from Asyut, now in British Museum (photo Dominic Perry); painting of Tabubue, by M. Lalau (1932). The Tale of Khaemwaset and the Book of Thoth: Griffith, F. L. (1900). Stories of the high priests of Memphis: The Sethon of Herodotus and the Demotic tales of Khamuas. Available at Internet Archive. Lichtheim, M. (1980). Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume III: The Late Period, 125—151. Ritner, R. K. (2003b). The Romance of Setna Khaemuas and the Mummies (Setna I). In W. K. Simpson (Ed.), The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry (3rd ed., pp. 453--469). Vinson, S. (2018). The Craft of a Good scribe: History, Narrative and Meaning in the First tale of Setne Khaemwas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	What I've dedicated my life to is revenge.
0:04.7	A brand new drama based on the best-selling novel.
0:07.5	They think they're better than us.
0:08.5	Who do you think you are?
0:09.8	I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.
0:11.5	She's punishing me.
0:13.0	You destroyed my family.
0:14.3	I will not rest until I've destroyed yours.
0:17.0	A woman of substance on Channel 4 starts tonight at 9.
0:20.6	Today's episode concerns an ancient Egyptian fairy tale and includes themes that may not be suitable
0:26.2	for all audiences.
0:28.0	The tale involves elements of suicide, murder and sexual horror.
0:32.6	Please use discretion when listening to this tale.
0:43.3	Once upon a time there lived a prince of Egypt. His name was Ka'em Wasset, born to the Queen Isset Noffret, and the King Ramesses II.
0:51.3	In life, Khayem Waset was a learned man. He worked as the chief priest for the great god
0:58.0	Pitar, Lord of artisans and Creator of the universe. As high priest, the prince learned many
1:04.9	secrets of Egypt's ancient past. He read the scrolls kept within the temple archives.
1:11.0	He studied monuments in the vast cemeteries that stretched along the western horizon.
1:16.6	Kha M. Wasset led official expeditions to inspect the pyramids of long-dead kings.
1:23.6	Penetrating their burial chambers, he recorded the names which he found, and inscribed them
1:29.1	on the surface of the pyramids so that all would know their owners. The prince also consecrated
1:35.1	new monuments, contributing to the sacred landscape. Under his guidance, the mighty Serapium,
	...

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