Ramses II's Medical Legacy: The World's First Surgeon

Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh — Fexingo History · Sep 10, 2026 · 10m · transcript

While most episodes focus on Ramses II’s monuments or battles, this episode uncovers the quiet revolution of his medical corps. We explore the Edwin Smith Papyrus and the groundbreaking work of Hesy-Re, the earliest known physician-surgeon in history. Lucas and Luna discuss how Ramses institutionalized medicine, turning it from temple magic into a systematic science. You’ll hear about the anatomical accuracy of ancient Egyptian diagnostics, the use of honey as an antibiotic, and how royal physicians treated wounds with precision that rivals modern practice. This is a look at the man behind…