Before we begin, a quick note. If my voice sounds strange, I do apologize. I have a cold that I just

can't seem to shake, and it's been affecting the sound of my voice. I hope it's not too distracting,

and please, enjoy the show.

We are now halfway through the reign of Setti I. The king has achieved a great deal in his first five years.

And it seems a good opportunity to pause and take stock of what has happened.

Setti's reign began in 1303 BCE, approximately.

His accession to power probably occurred in the third month of Shemu,

roughly June in the modern Western calendar.

SETI came to the throne the day after his father, Menh Pekhtira Remeses, had passed to the west.

And when he took on the role of a living Horus, SETI established himself as the lord of the

two lands.

His official royal identity was conveyed through his names. Firstly, he was called the

Heru Kha-Nakht, Khah-M-Wasset, Sank Thawi. That is, the Horus,

victorious bull, who has appeared in Thebes and who sustains the two lands.

Then he was called the Nebti, Wechem Messut, Sekem-Kepesh-Jer-Pajut.

That is, the two ladies, renewing births, the strong-armed one who has repelled the nine bows.

Thirdly, he was the Gher-Nabu,em hau, Usir Pedjut, Em Taou Nebu. The golden horus, one who has repeated

appearances, the strong of troops in all lands. Fourthly, he was the Nessutbitti Men Ma'at Ra, the king of southern and northern Egypt,

the established one who belongs to the Ma'at, or truth, of Ra. Finally, he was the

Saara Setehi, the son of Ra Setti, or the one who belongs to the god Seth.

The royal names are a mouthful, but they do give hints at SETI's agenda, how he wanted to communicate

his identity and the message he wanted to send. For example, calling himself the Wechem

...