Brian Alm | University of Chicago (original) (raw)

Papers by Brian Alm

This brief paper capsulizes a series of lectures in 2023 on the development of ancient Egypt’s Ne... more This brief paper capsulizes a series of lectures in 2023 on the development of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom, focusing initially on military achievement and moving on to other key factors in the formation of empire, including diplomacy, trade and economic growth, the ascendency of the god Amun, the elevation of commoners to high positions and even kingship, and the rise of a middle class.

Inherent in dynastic change are circumstances and often turmoil that are pertinent to the new kin... more Inherent in dynastic change are circumstances and often turmoil that are pertinent to the new king's ascension, and moreover, to the development of the Egyptian state. This paper looks at some of the more interesting examples of dynastic change to see what was happening.

This brief introduction, prepared as a companion piece to accompany a lecture series in 2024, was... more This brief introduction, prepared as a companion piece to accompany a lecture series in 2024, was drawn from lecture notes and from my five-part series Read Like an Egyptian: Art and Architecture in Ancient Egypt, published in www.Academia.edu, in 2018.

The peaked corners that appear on the ancient Egyptian granary models, placed in the tombs of the... more The peaked corners that appear on the ancient Egyptian granary models, placed in the tombs of the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom to serve the ongoing needs of the tomb owner in eternity, raise questions: what were these elevated, triangular corners for? Did they have a practical purpose? Or, if they were symbolic, what did they mean?

This is a novel, not a paper. It’s available on commercial websites, e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble... more This is a novel, not a paper. It’s available on commercial websites, e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, et. al.

A tongue-in-cheek rant on the hellenization of Egypt, along with a few practical matters to ponder

This paper and a companion paper, "Woodcraft Realities in Ancient Egypt," consider the importance... more This paper and a companion paper, "Woodcraft Realities in Ancient Egypt," consider the importance of woodworking in ancient Egypt. This paper features two craftsmen who have created thousands of Egyptian replicas and models; the other paper is an academic study of AE woodcraft.

This paper and a companion paper, "Experimental Archeology," consider the importance of woodworki... more This paper and a companion paper, "Experimental Archeology," consider the importance of woodworking in ancient Egypt. This paper deals with the academic study of AE woodcraft; the companion paper features two craftsmen who have created thousands of Egyptian replicas and models.

This paper deals with the rise of commoners to clout: the presence and influence of the Akhmim cl... more This paper deals with the rise of commoners to clout: the presence and influence of the Akhmim clan in the court of Amenhotep III and the importance of his mother, Mutemwia, in arranging the marriage of Amenhotep and Tiye.

A study of the thresholds -- transitional moments -- in ancient Egyptian architecture, particular... more A study of the thresholds -- transitional moments -- in ancient Egyptian architecture, particularly in tombs, which are transformational in the progress of the individual soul.

A short study of the conceivable antcedents of New Kingdom tomb and temple design in Old Kingdom ... more A short study of the conceivable antcedents of New Kingdom tomb and temple design in Old Kingdom ideas and architecture.

This paper was adapted from my paper Thutmose IV: Placeholder or Pivot? (Academia.edu) specifical... more This paper was adapted from my paper Thutmose IV: Placeholder or Pivot? (Academia.edu) specifically for a discussion of Amenhotep III
in the online Egyptology forum Em Hotep BBS, hence the redundancy. I am posting it in this form for the convenience of anyone searching for Amenhotep III in particular.

A quick, thumbnail primer on ancient Egyptian history for the general audience.

An experimental project to investigate the Middle Kingdom crescent-blade battle axe and its possi... more An experimental project to investigate the Middle Kingdom crescent-blade battle axe and its possible influence on the khepesh scimitar

A study of the commonalities, similarities, and plausible influences from the ancient Egyptian cu... more A study of the commonalities, similarities, and plausible influences from the ancient Egyptian culture that appear in the Bible

The final part of six in the series, Ancient Egyptian Religion.

Part 5 of six parts on ancient Egyptian Religion: an introductory study

Part 4 of six parts planned for this introduction to ancient Egyptian religion.

The first of six parts on Ancient Egyptian Religion — a primer on the religious culture of ancien... more The first of six parts on Ancient Egyptian Religion — a primer on the religious culture of ancient Egypt

The third of six parts on Ancient Egyptian Religion — a primer on the religious culture of ancien... more The third of six parts on Ancient Egyptian Religion — a primer on the religious culture of ancient Egypt

A tongue-in-cheek rant on the hellenization of Egypt, along with a few practical matters to ponder

A quick, thumbnail primer on ancient Egyptian history for the general audience.

The final part of six in the series, Ancient Egyptian Religion.

Part 5 of six parts on ancient Egyptian Religion: an introductory study

Part 4 of six parts planned for this introduction to ancient Egyptian religion.

The concluding part of this series presents analyses and commentaries on some examples of Egyptia... more The concluding part of this series presents analyses and commentaries on some examples of Egyptian art and architecture.

This is the fourth of five parts; see the section labeled Art and Architecture for Parts 1-3. (Pa... more This is the fourth of five parts; see the section labeled Art and Architecture for Parts 1-3. (Part 5 is still in process.)

A five-part series drawn from earlier work and course notes for a mini-course on this topic, deve... more A five-part series drawn from earlier work and course notes for a mini-course on this topic, developed for a non-professional audience of people new to Egyptology.

This is the second part of a five-part series intended primarily for non-professionals in Egyptol... more This is the second part of a five-part series intended primarily for non-professionals in Egyptology; i.e., an introductory-level presentation, including a brief bibliography of excellent sources for further study.

This is the third part of a five-part series intended primarily for non-professionals in Egyptolo... more This is the third part of a five-part series intended primarily for non-professionals in Egyptology; i.e., an introductory-level presentation, including a brief bibliography of excellent sources for further study.