The First Pharaohs

The Ancients

History Hit

History

4.7 • 3.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 September 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Unveiling the Enigmatic Story of Egypt's First Pharaohs, roughly 5,000 years ago. Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Aidan Dodson to discuss the renowned Scorpion King and early dynasties, the unifying figure of Narmer, as well as the evolution of early Egyptian tombs and traditions, providing a fascinating insight into the dawn of Egypt's earliest civilisations.

Origins of the Egyptian Gods

The Great Pyramid of Giza

Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Berlin, 1943, a group of German rebels meet in secret plotting to bring down Hitler.
0:07.0	What they don't know is, one of them will betray all the rest to the Gestapo.
0:12.1	Introducing The Traitors Circle, a remarkable true story from me, Jonathan Friedland,
0:18.0	best-selling author of the escape artist.
0:20.8	Astonishing, says Mick Heron, utterly gripping, says Anthony Horowitz. Jonathan Friedland, bestselling author of The Escape Artist.
0:24.7	Astonishing, says Mick Heron, utterly gripping, says Anthony Horowitz.
0:27.3	Discover the Traitors Circle.
0:29.8	Out now and hardback and to download.
0:35.7	Hello, it's Fern Cotton from my podcast, Happy Place, which is currently sponsored by Boots.
0:39.3	Looking after our health matters, but it isn't always easy to know where to turn. Well, did you know that Boots pharmacists can diagnose, advise and
0:44.5	provide treatment for a wide range of common conditions? Everything from sore throats and
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0:56.4	and treatment, you're never too far away from a boots pharmacist. Just walk in at your local
1:00.9	boots today. Hey guys, I hope you're doing well. I am much better you'll be delighted to hear
1:09.4	since my last intro. I've recovered from
1:12.0	my illness and I'm currently on my way back from work after a day at history hit towers,
1:16.7	doing more ancients prep and also wrapping up this interview being released to you now.
1:22.6	It's all about the first pharaoh. So some 5,000 years ago,
1:29.4	what I love about this is that these figures,
1:33.3	they're very different to the likes of Tutankhamun or Ramesses or Cleopatra,
1:38.4	famous names of ancient Egyptian pharaohs today. I really do hope you enjoy.
1:43.4	Our guest is Professor Aidan Dodson from the University of Bristol. He's written about these earliest pharaohs. He was the man to get on the show for this topic, and he delivered the goods. Enjoy. I'm sorry. Few ancient cultures endured as long as Egypt.
	...

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