Hi, we're your host's Anthony Delaney and Maddie Pelling.

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Hello there.

Now before we dive into today's episode about the dark side of ancient Egypt, my producer Freddie has sent me a message to say I need to give you a warning that this episode

contains some gory details and sexual references.

I'm going to be honest, I can't

for the life of me remember why there are sexual references in an episode about the dark side

of ancient Egypt. But Freddie says there are and I trust him. So you are now warned. Warning now

in place. Let's get on with the show.

Yeah. the show. He was a farmer once.

His mind wonders, remembering the feeling of warm soil between his fingers, the scent of fresh grain after the harvest.

The memory is pierced by shouting, heaving, groaning.

Now his hands are blistered and cracked.

They smell of crushed limestone and blood.

At night, under the thin cover of stars in a makeshift encampment, he lies beside other conscripts. Farmers who are forced to trade seasons of planting for seasons of pain.

During the long days, a misstep here means a crushed limb or a crushed man.

No one stops. There's no time.

Kufu's vision, the great pyramid, must rise.

The priests say Kufu is divine, that building the pyramid is a sacred duty. To question it is to question the will of the gods, but he wonders, if the gods are watching,

...