In the Temple of Sety I at Abydos, an out-of-the-way corridor preserves a unique image. The King of Egypt, and his eldest son, wrangle and subdue a bull. This scene appears simple, at first glance. But it has a wealth of deeper symbolism and meanings. In this episode, we explore the idea of Bulls as images of power and violence, and their relationship with gods like Osiris and Seth…

• Episode logo: Ramesses and the Bull, by artist Brenna Baines (commissioned by The History of Egypt Podcast). Full version available on my Patreon (link below).


• The Bull Hall photos by Heidi Kontkanen at Flickr.com.


• The Bull Hall in Peter Brand, Monuments of Sety I (2000) available free online.

The History of Egypt Podcast:

• Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.


• Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.


• Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.


• Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.


• Sound effects purchased from Pond5.

Select Bibliography:

• M. Abuel-Yazid, ‘Architecture of the Slaughterhouse of the Seti Temple at Abydos’, in I. Regulski (ed.), Abydos: The Sacred Land at the Western Horizon (2019), 7—24.


• L. Baqué, ‘“On that Day When the Long-Horned Bull was Lassoed...” (PT [254] 286). A Scene in the “Corridor of the Bull” of the Cenotaph of Sethos I in Abydos: An Iconologic Approach’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 30 (2002), 43—51.


• P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000). Available free online.


• R. H. Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt (2003).


• J. M. Galán, ‘Bullfight Scenes in Ancient Egyptian Tombs’, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 80 (1994), 81—96.


• See website for complete reference list.

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