This episode is brought to you by Pepsi Max. Christmas is great, but there's loads of ways to make it better.

Like sneaking some chili into the gravy for some extra oint, or building a playlist that will even get your

none up on the table or just cracking open an ice cold Pepsi Max.

Christmas.

Better with Pepsi Max. 5,000 years ago, people in the Nile Valley established one of the first unified kingdoms.

They achieved significant things, the invention of hieroglyphs,

an international trade network, war and conquest, and enduring art, architecture and religious ideas. Long ago, the kingdom of Egypt emerged as a splendid

entity. Four thousand years ago, a new generation was building enormous monuments. They had erected the great pyramids of Giza,

Sakara and Dashur. They built vast cemeteries of Mastebatums and beautiful sun temples for the gods.

They were in a golden age.

3,000 years ago, Egypt had built an empire.

armies spread across North Africa, the Mediterranean coast, and the sea. Famous

rulers like Tutmos III, Hut Shepsut, Tukamun Rameses, established famous and enduring legacies.

Egyptian traders visited the islands of Greece and the Mediterranean.

Diplomats visited kingdoms like Babylon and Hathi to establish and

diplomats visited kingdoms like Babylon and Hathi to establish relationships.

Along the way, their society thrived with art, trade, literature and innovation.

They left wonders like the Valley of the Kings,

the great temple of Karnak,

and the monuments of Abu Simbel.

It was a time of incredible accomplishments.

2,000 years ago, Egypt witnessed a new age. The death of Cleopatra the 7th brought the might of Rome to their doorstep,

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