Pharaohs at War

Network:Sky History

History War

Previous Episode

S01E04 - "Cleopatra - The Battle of Actium"

Aired on Aug 18, 2025, 8:00 PM

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Description

Pharaohs at War explores four epic battles that changed the fate of Ancient Egypt: Megiddo, Qadesh, Raphia, and Actium. These decisive confrontations between pharaohs and their greatest rivals defined the legacy of one of history's most iconic civilisations.Each episode focuses on a high-stakes duel between a pharaoh and a formidable enemy. Through expert interviews and 3D reconstructions, the series unveils the military strategies, political motives, and human drama behind these legendary conflicts. The series follows archaeologists into the field as they uncover spectacular sitesĂ˘â‚¬â€ťsome revealed for the first time on screen. Clue by clue, these discoveries shed light on how war reshaped Egypt's destiny.

Details

Status: Running
Language: English
Runtime: 60 min
Premiered: July 28, 2025
Schedule: Monday at 9:00 PM

External Links

Episodes (1 Season · 4 Episodes)

Thutmose III - The Battle of Megiddo

This episode focuses on the Battle of Megiddo which, fought in 1457 BC, was a significant military engagement led by Pharaoh Thutmose III against a Canaanite coalition. It resulted in a decisive Egyptian victory, solidifying their dominance in the Near East.

Jul 28, 2025

60 min

Ramses II - The Battle of Kadesh

The Battle of Kadesh, fought in 1275 BCE between the Egyptian Empire led by pharaoh Ramesses II and the Hittite Empire led by king Muwatalli II. In one of the world's largest chariot battles, fought beside the Orontes River, Ramses sought to wrest Canaan and Syria from the Hittites and recapture the city of Kadesh. There was a day of carnage as approximately 5,000 chariots charged into the fray, but no outright victor. Ultimately, the battle led to the world's first recorded peace treaty.

Aug 4, 2025

60 min

Ptolemy IV - The Battle of Raphia

The Battle of Raphia, fought in 217 BC near modern Rafah, which was a pivotal clash between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid Empire during the Fourth Syrian War. The outcome was a decisive victory for Ptolemy IV Philopator's forces, which secured Coele-Syria for Ptolemaic Egypt.

Aug 11, 2025

60 min

Cleopatra - The Battle of Actium

The Battle of Actium, fought on September 2, 31 BC. It was a decisive naval engagement that pitted the forces of Octavian against those of Roman politician and general Mark Antony and Egyptian ruler Cleopatra. This clash, near the Roman colony of Actium in Greece, marked the end of the Roman Republic's civil war era and the beginning of the Roman Empire under Octavian's rule.

Aug 18, 2025

60 min