Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions!
In this course, we will read in detail, in hieroglyphs, the autobiography of Ahmose, son of Ebana, as written on the walls of his tomb in El-Kab.
Ahmose was a professional soldier from a young age and served with distinction aboard various royal ships at the beginning of the 18th Dynasty (c. 1550–1295 BCE). He served under Ahmose I, Amenhotep I, and Thutmose I, helping to expel the Hyksos from Egypt and participating in campaigns ranging from Syria to the Nubian cataracts.
The grammar will be thoroughly explained as we come across it, and a few constructions peculiar to 18th Dynasty Middle Egyptian will be discussed. Although the course will concentrate on translating the texts themselves, the historical and archaeological background will also be discussed.
Students will be able to refresh or improve their knowledge of Middle Egyptian and gain some experience of the process of the translation of more advanced texts.
This course is suitable for those who have completed our Online Course: Beyond Intermediate Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs, or who have studied the Egyptian language to the level where they are able to read, with or without help, the easier passages of Middle Egyptian literature.
Course Outline
Please note that main content will be delivered between 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-15:00. There will be a one-hour lunch break between 13:00-14:00. Note that some optional participation (quizzes, Q&A, social session, etc.) may continue beyond that time.
Saturday 26 July 2025, 11:00-15:00 (UK time)
Week One - Ahmose's early campaigns
This class will focus on Ahmose's early years, in which he was a soldier during the campaign against Avaris, the siege of Sharuhen and King Ahmose’s attack on Nubia. It will also include the “rebellions” of Aata and Tetian.
Saturday 2 August 2025, 11:00-15:00 (UK time)
Week Two - Ahmose's later campaigns
The second class will explore Ahmose's experience of Amenhotep I’s Nubian campaigns, Thutmosis I’s Nubian campaign, and Thutmosis I’s Syrian campaign.
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The course will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this course. The online course will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES online events before the course begins.
