While McGraw’s vivid historical detail gives readers a rich picture of Ranofer’s daily life in ancient Thebes, a little extra background knowledge helps situate the novel in a broader historical context.

The Golden Goblet takes place around 1400 BCE when Thebes, Egypt—variously called Wo’se or Wase by the ancient Egyptians—was at the peak of prosperity. The city of Thebes covered 36 miles and was the capital of the Egyptian empire during the era of the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE). This period was known as “a golden age for Egyptian art and architecture” when Egypt, rich in resources and gold, focused on constructing resplendent tombs and temples (“Egypt’s Golden Empire: New Kingdom.” PBS, 2006).

The Thebes area encompasses what is now the modern city of Luxor and the famed archaeological sites, The Valley of the Kings, The Valley of the Queens, and the Karnak Temple Complex. The region was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. A World Heritage Site is one determined to have “outstanding universal value to humanity” (“What Is World Heritage?” UNESCO).

Amenhotep III ruled Egypt from 1390-53 BCE, and his reign was known as a period of prosperity, peace, and diplomacy.