Dr. Campbell Price

And in that, he inspires his son deeply.

I think there is a deep psychological thing about this.

Still remember New Kids on the Block, Arabist dynasty.

They want to make absolutely sure that their claim is solid and will last.

And they do that by restoring the works of their ancestors and shouting about how much they've restored the works of their ancestors.

And so Seti I commissions this incredible temple, which still is one of my favourite sites in Egypt, at Abydos, the site in the south of Egypt, a bit north of Thebes.

That's the sacred site of the ancient god Osiris.

So you very easily, by building a temple there, connect yourself to this very long-standing cult of the god of rebirth.

And in that temple, beautifully decorated temple, there is a very significant corridor, very significant for historical reasons, because following on a tradition, which itself is quite old, of celebrating previous kings, there is a scene of Seti I and his young son Ramesses reading out

declaiming, announcing, ritualizing the names of all their predecessors.

And this hall of ancestors is significantly located between the abattoir and the temple offering rooms.

So all the offerings of the beef have to go in front of the corridor.

So you're feeding the souls of everyone named on the wall as you pass.

So it's this metaphysical sense of

not just celebrating, look at all these great kings who've come before, but ensuring that their souls quite literally are sustained with offerings by locating the offering list in this particular place.

It also anchors and ramesses the second end

as prince crown prince this time we think yeah I mean really as the heir apparent and there must be what's not uncommon in ancient Egypt a co-regency so there is not just a crown prince there is a nominated successor who kind of shares the throne

maybe you know said to the first saw or foresaw that he wasn't going to live a very long life he can only be 40-ish when he dies and then Ramesses II must come to the throne pretty young 20 maybe

Yes, yes, absolutely.

You're right.