Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Zenith

Joann Fletcher explains how ancient Egypt's extraordinary story fits together. Joann explores the magnificent Colossi of Memnon, built under Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

In the third episode, Joann explores the magnificent Colossi of Memnon, built under Egypt's greatest pharaoh - Amenhotep III.

Joann explores the dizzying heights of Egypt's civilisation and the lives of the workers and artisans caught up in Egypt's most ambitious building project: the Valley of the Kings. But this golden age is threatened by the growing power of Karnak's priests. When Amenhotep's successors Akhenaten and Nefertiti strike back at the priests with a religious rebellion, it is their son Tutankhamen who tries to rectify it.

By finding clues in Tutankhamen's treasure, Joann reveals how his early death was a chance for Egypt to start afresh and rewrite history. With the country restored to its former glory, Egypt's fate lay in the hands of Theban priest kings. Joann retraces their final act of desecration - decades of state-sanctioned looting of the Valley of the Kings. This lays Egypt bare, making way for a new era of foreign invaders.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 27 Jul 2023 02:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Joann Fletcher
Writer Joann Fletcher
Series Producer Caterina Turroni
Director Ian A Hunt
Producer Ian A Hunt
Director Sophie Elwin Harris
Producer Sophie Elwin Harris
Executive Producer Gillian Mosely
Executive Producer Bill Locke
Production Manager Chrissie Barlow
Production Coordinator Katie King
Assistant Producer Georgina Stewart
Researcher Harpreet Gill
Production Company Lion Television

Broadcasts

麻豆社 News: Egypt Timeline

A chronology of key events in Egypt.