What if the most famous word from ancient Egypt was a lie? And what if the most famous man in modern Egyptology sold its soul for spectacle? In this episode of The Free Egyptians Aaru, we take on two of the biggest narratives in our history.

First, we place the word "Pharaoh" on the scales of Ma'at and find it wanting. We trace its true, mundane origins and expose the 1,500-year silence before it was co-opted by heretics, foreign rulers, and foreign scribes.

Then, we turn our lens from the word to the man. We tell the story of Zahi Hawass—not the Indiana Jones of television, but the controversial figure detailed in the investigative book, Shadow of the Pharaoh. We explore his rise to power, his methods, and the troubling legacy he left on the stones and soul of Egypt.

These two stories are one. They are about how easily a narrative can be controlled, simplified, and sold. It's time to reclaim it.

Find the infographic, books, and music from this episode at https://www.freeeg.com.