Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Royal Inscription of Amenemhat I

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–Β has all words on it that I have taught already!! See if you can read it before looking at the translation!!Β Since the directional hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the right, we are going to start reading from the right! Also, hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺΒ are always read starting at the top line of symbols!Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ – Amenemhat I (Birth Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

𓇳𓏇- Like Ra 

𓆖 – (For) Eternity

Now, this relief is only partial because some of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are cut off, but based on the symbols that remain, and the formulaic way that royal titulary was always written, I have a pretty good idea what the line above the cartouche says! Let’s take a look: 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

Now, before people come at me (it happens every time) for the translation of β€œ π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great God,” yes, β€œπ“„€β€ can be translated to β€œgreat,” β€œbeautiful” and β€œperfect.” Much like in English (and I’m sure all other languages) in Middle Egyptian, words can have multiple meanings/translations!!! Also, there can be two different words that mean the same thing – β€œπ“‰» / 𓉼” can also be translated to β€œgreat” – just like in the word for β€œpharaoh π“‰π“‰»,” which literally translates to β€œGreat House.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

Limestone Relief of Sobek

I enjoyed talking about my friend SobekΒ π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹ so here’s another piece that depicts SobekΒ π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹! This is a raised limestoneΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰Β relief of SobekΒ π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹Β from the Ptolemaic Period and is at the MET.

Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 is usually depicted as a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ sitting on a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ – just like this hieroglyph β€œπ“†‹,” or as a human body with a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ head 𓁢𓏺. 

Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 was worshipped π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“€’ from the Old Kingdom through the Roman Periods, but his popularity seemed to have peaked during the Second Intermediate Period as many pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦ of the 13th Dynasty had names π“‚‹π“ˆ–𓏦 that were associated with him. For example, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦ called β€œSobekhotep π“†‹π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” translates to β€œSobek is satisfied.” There were also many commoners whose name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was also Sobekhotep π“†‹π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.

Fun fact! While β€œSobekhotep π“†‹π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” can literally be written as β€œSobek π“†‹β€ and β€œHotep π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” with the ideogram for β€œSobek π“†‹β€ taking on the full meaning of the word, the name can also be written as β€œπ“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ,” which also spells out Sobekhotep, but this time, only phonograms are used! I love seeing different variations of the same words in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ostracon of the Crocodile God Sobek

This is an ostracon, which is basically either a broken piece of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ (in this case), pottery, a rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™, etc. that was used for drawing practice or even β€œTo Do” lists! A lot of the ostraca from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– were often used as β€œpolitical cartoons” – where animals were depicted doing human things that were usually comments of society and the social hierarchy! Pieces of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ were often used because papyrus π“…“𓍑𓏏𓏛 was too expensive to practice on! 

This nice little ostracon pictured however, is just a lovely drawing of the crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ god π“ŠΉ Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋! This piece is dated to the New Kingdom (Ramesside – c. 1295–1070 B.C.E.) and was most likely found at Deir el-Medina! 

Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 was one of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that was named in the Pyramid Texts, which makes him one of the oldest deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. He is often depicted as a human body with a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ head 𓁢𓏺. 

Some of the Egyptian legends state that Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 rose out of the primordial waters and created the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. Since Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 is associated with the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, this makes him also associated with fertility (much like Taweret, the crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of fertility) since the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ associated the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί with fertility and rebirth. 

Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘𓆋 was both feared and revered due to him being a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ! He was worshipped π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“€’ in order to ensure the fertility of both people and crops, but also to protect against crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ attacks. 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Amenemhat I at the MET

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today we are going to look at an inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–Β that is on a relief at the MET! I chose this one because this relief shows the cartouches of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 I haven’t spoken about much – Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“!Β 

Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ was the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 12th Dynasty (c. 1939-1910 B.C.E.). He was of non-royal birth, and it is unknown how he acquired the throne. It is possible that he was the sameΒ AmenemhatΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ that was the vizier 𓅷𓏏𓏺𓀀 to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Mentuhotep IVΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“ŠͺΒ and then took the throne after Mentuhotep IV’sΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“ŠͺΒ death 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Since the directional hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the right, we are going to start reading from the right! Once again, some of these words (especially the titles) I have taught before and you may recognize! 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ – Amenemhat (Birth Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt or He of the Sedge and the Bee

π“‡³π“‹΄π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“„£ – Sehotepibra (Throne Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenemhat π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓅓𓄂𓏏 translates to β€œAmun is in the Front” -let’s break this down too:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“…“ – in 

𓄂𓏏 – Front/Foremost

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Egyptian Artifacts

Blue Faience Sphinx of Amenhotep III

ThisΒ blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faienceΒ π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“ΌΒ sphinxΒ π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€Β of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep IIIΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†Β is in exquisite condition.

Blue Faience Sphinx of Amenhotep III at the MET

This piece is possibly from the model of a templeΒ π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰, but its function isn’t actually known. Despite its small size, the sphinxΒ π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€Β is definitely a standout in Gallery 119 at the MET!

A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is the combination of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (the body) and a human (the head 𓁢𓏺).  Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is wearing the nemes head cloth π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ with the Uraeus π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†— on the forehead. He also has a false beard in his chin. This is a very typical way for a pharaoh π“‰π“‰» to be depicted in statuary because this style represented the power and royalty of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰». 

The hands of the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ are holding a nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί in each hand. This is a worshipping 𓇼𓄿𓀒/offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 position, but there is no inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– to say which god π“ŠΉ/goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is making an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to.  

This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty – New Kingdom (c. 1390–1352 B.C.E.). 

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Egyptian Artifacts

A Column that Looks like a Sistrum

This may look like a sistrumΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, but it’s actually a column from a templeΒ π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰!Β 

A column that looks like a sistrum (with Hathor) at the MET

A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle – just like this column!

While it is difficult to tell in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, some paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still left on the column! Based on scientific testing of the trace pigments left behind, Hathor’s 𓉑 hair would have been blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯!Β Fun fact: β€œEgyptian Blue” is the oldest synthetic color pigment in the whole world!

There are images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of Hathor π“‰‘ and inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on all four 𓏽 sides as well!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is exciting because these are all phrases I have taught through my previous posts! See if you can read along before reading the translation!!!

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

𓇳𓆣𓂓 – Kheperkare (Nectanbo’s throne name)

How well did you do? We’re you able to read the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯? Let me know!!

This piece is dated to the Late Period, Dynasty 30, reign of Nectanebo I (c. 380–362 B.C.E.). 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Words Spoken by Osiris”

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to combine two words/phrases we have already learned! Here we see an inscription with the symbols β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.” This translates to β€œWords spoken by π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– OsirisΒ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.β€Β π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“ in inscriptions!Β 

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a uniliteral phonogram, so it is a symbol that represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced. 

The β€œstaff or walking stick π“Œƒβ€ functions as both a phonogram (in this phrase) and as an ideogram (for the word β€œ staff π“Œƒπ“Ίβ€). π“Œƒ is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the sound β€œmdw.”

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a phonogram sign, and it is also uniliteral sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The β€œeye 𓁹” is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œjr.” The β€œeye 𓁹” can also function as an ideogram for β€œeye 𓁹𓏺” and also as a determinative. 

The β€œπ“Š¨ seat” is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œst.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the words seat/place. 

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Nehebukau

Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ is an Egyptian snake god π“ŠΉ whose name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œhe who harnesses the spirits” and was he considered to be a helpful deity! Β Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ is usually depicted as a snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 with human legs, and as a kid I always got a kick out of this!!Β 

Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ was a very popular god π“ŠΉ to see represented on amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ worn by the living (especially New Kingdom and later) because amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ were thought to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the wearer from snake π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†™ bites! 

Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ that announced the new pharaoh π“‰π“‰» to the other gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ at the beginning of his/her rule π“‹Ύ.  When the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» died, it was Nehebukau’s π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ job to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ and feed the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» or other deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 person. The drink that the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 would be fed was called β€œThe Milk of Light,” and it would protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ against bites from poisonous animals. Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ was one of the forty-two gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ who helped judge the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 in the Hall of Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦. 

Nehebukau π“…˜π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“΄π“‚“π“¦ had no cult or priesthood associated with him because most would use magical π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ spells π“Ž›π“‚“𓏛𓏦 to invoke his protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ.  

This is another closeup image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 from Imhotep’s π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Book of the Dead (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Thutmosis III – Menkheperra

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at one of the many cartouches of Thutmosis III!Β 

Like many pharaohs, Thutmosis III had many different cartouches, and then different variants of those cartouches! Today we are going to be looking more closely at the cartouche of his Throne Name: π“‡³π“ π“†£. This is a great cartouche to be able to recognize, because I see it more than his birth name cartouche! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle π“π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

So all together, the Throne Name cartouche of Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£ would be pronounced like β€œMenkheperra.”

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Bronze Osiris Statues at the Museo Egizio

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 was taken by my Nonno at the Museo Egizio! While I have never been to the Museo Egizio, my Nonno always spoke so highly of the museum; he absolutely loved it there! He always brought me back books whenever he went! I always got an English and Italian version so I could practice my Italian too!Β 

These are three bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! The statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are dated to the Late Period. Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ Is typically depicted as a mummy π“‡‹π“Ήπ“…±π“€Ύ wearing the Atef crown π“‹š and holding a crook π“‹Ύ and flailπ“Œ… . The crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… are symbols associated with kingship. Bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ are highly abundant and have been associated with worship π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“€’ in homes and temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ but have of course been found in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ. 

Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was one of the main figures of Egyptian religion.  This is because Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was the god π“ŠΉ of the dead π“…“𓏏𓏱 and the ruler of the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰. Egyptians spent their entire time living preparing for their death π“…“𓏏𓏱 and meeting with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.  The deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨ π“€­ by Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ after the Weighing of the Heart ceremony; but only if their heart was in balance! 

When the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was alive, he was thought to be the living image 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹 of the God π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, but more importantly when the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 died, he was thought to then become an Osiris-like figure.