Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Unfinished Stela

Look at this unfinished stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸 – there are no hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!!!! I love when museums have unfinished pieces of Egyptian art because it’s so cool to see various steps in the artistic process! The empty boxes above the deceased (right) and Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 (left) are where the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 should be!

On the top of the stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸, there are two Wedjat 𓂀 symbols. The Wedjat 𓂀 is a very common symbol of protection 𓅓𓂝𓎡𓀜 and regeneration. In between the Wedjats 𓂀𓂀 is the Shen 𓍶 symbol! The Shen 𓍶 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness, infinity/eternity 𓎛𓇳𓎛, and is also a symbol of protection 𓅓𓂝𓎡𓀜. Both of these symbols could be worn by both the living 𓋹𓈖𓐍𓅱𓏦 and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

The deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 (right) is making an offering to the god 𓊹 Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 (left). This image is a very popular one to appear on stelae 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸𓏪.

Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 is a combination of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and Horus 𓅃𓀭 into a single deity. I believe this is a depiction of Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 because he is wearing the sun-disc 𓇳𓏤 crown that has a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 at the front. Also, Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 is holding a crook 𓋾 and flail 𓌅 and which is another common way to depict him. Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤 is also sometimes shown holding a scepter 𓌀 along with a flail 𓌅.

Based on the styling and the images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 on the stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸, I am going to infer that this piece is dated to the 22nd-25th Dynasties. There are many stelae 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸𓏪 like this in other museums too (except they are mostly finished, not unfinished)!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Sarcophagus of Artemidora

Details of the Winged Scarab on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows the details on a sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 that belonged to a woman 𓊃𓏏𓂑𓏏𓁐 named 𓂋𓈖 Artemidora who lived in Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 during the Roman Period (A.D 90-100). The gold 𓋞𓃉𓃉𓃉, glass, stone 𓇋𓈖𓂋𓊪, and painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 details on this sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 are stunning 𓄤!

One of my favorite pieces of imagery from Egyptian art is the Winged Scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣! The wings 𓂧𓌳𓏏𓆃𓏦 allowed the scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣 to join the rising and setting of the sun 𓇳𓏺 each day – which to the ancient Egyptians 𓆎𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏪 represented the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The cycle was central to the ancient Egyptian 𓆎𓏏𓀀𓁐 religion! As a god 𓊹 who was constantly reborn, Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was associated with resurrection! On this sarcophagus, we can see the sun 𓇳𓏺 represented above the scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣; this was because Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 used to carry the sun 𓇳𓏺 across the sky 𓊪𓏏𓇯!

Below the winged 𓂧𓌳𓏏𓆃 scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣, we can see the shen 𓍶 symbol! The shen 𓍶 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness, infinity/eternity 𓎛𓇳𓎛, and is also a symbol of protection 𓅓𓂝𓎡𓀜. The shen 𓍶 was first seen during the Old Kingdom, and was a very popular symbol throughout Egyptian history; Nekhbet 𓇑𓃀𓏏𓅐𓎟 and Isis 𓊨𓏏𓁥 are frequently seen holding them!

Cool Fact: the wings 𓂧𓌳𓏏𓆃𓏦 on the scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣 are not those of a beetle, but are actually the wings 𓂧𓌳𓏏𓆃𓏦 of a bird! Also, I just love the painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 details on these wings 𓂧𓌳𓏏𓆃𓏦; it’s stunning 𓄤!

(from Left) Nephthys, Anubis, Horus, and Isis on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET

I really like this scene because you can see Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 and Horus 𓅃𓀭 standing with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased who is laying on a bed with a lion design. Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 arms are raised, and Horus 𓅃𓀭 is holding the traditional crook 𓋾 and flail 𓌅. Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god 𓊹, and Horus 𓅃𓀭 is my sister’s 𓌢𓈖𓏏 favorite! I always like seeing Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 and Horus 𓅃𓀭 together 𓈖𓊗 for that reason – it reminds me of me and my sister 𓌢𓈖𓏏!

To the left of Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 is the goddess 𓊹𓏏 Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 and to the right of Horus 𓅃𓀭 is the goddess 𓊹𓏏 Isis 𓊨𓏏𓁥. Isis 𓊨𓏏𓁥 and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 are the actual sisters 𓌢𓈖𓏏𓏦 in Egyptian mythology and in funerary scenes are usually depicted together!

You can tell which goddess 𓊹𓏏 is which based off of the crowns on their head 𓁶𓏺! The crown on Nephthys’ head is 𓉠 which is the hieroglyph 𓊹𓌃 that’s part of her name 𓂋𓈖, and the crown on Isis’ head is 𓊨 which also corresponds with her name 𓂋𓈖! If you also look at the text that is next to each of them, their names are also written – it’s almost like a caption!

See if you can spot Isis 𓊨𓏏𓁥 and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 in the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Canopic Jar Chest – Hieroglyphs

The Canopic Jar Chest at The MET

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!! These hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 that we will be looking at are from a Canopic Jar Case, which was put in a tomb 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐! It’s function was to hold all four 𓏽 of the Canopic Jars together in one place! This case is gorgeous 𓄤 – I mean, look at those stars 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼𓏦!!! The star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 design is a favorite of mine; it’s even my phone case!

Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right! The hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 on the top line of the case say:

𓇋𓄪𓐍𓇌 – Venerated/Revered
𓐍𓂋 – Before
𓏌𓏏𓇯 – Nut
𓋂𓊵 – Ukhotep
𓐙𓊤 – True of Voice (Justified)

Nut can also be written as “𓏌𓏏𓇯𓀭” – in the inscription above, the determinative is missing! “𓏌𓏏𓇯” could also be translated as “sky,” but in the case of this inscription, translating “ 𓏌𓏏𓇯” as the goddess 𓊹𓏏 Nut 𓏌𓏏𓇯𓀭 makes more sense. Also, considering the star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 decorations, mentioning the goddess 𓊹𓏏 of the sky 𓏌𓏏𓇯 also makes perfect sense!

The symbol “𓊵” has many uses and meanings; it can be used alone to represent words/ideas, part of names, but it can also be combined with other symbols to also represent those same words/ideas. For example, the more complete way to write “ Satisfied, Content, At Peace, Offering” is “𓊵𓏏𓊪.“

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Book of the Dead – The Field of Reeds

“The Field of Reeds” from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (MET)

This is another closeup image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 from Imhotep’s 𓇍𓅓𓊵𓏏𓊪 Book of the Dead (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET. Fun fact: Imhotep’s 𓇍𓅓𓊵𓏏𓊪 version of the Book of the Dead is mostly complete, and is over 70 𓎆𓎆𓎆𓎆𓎆𓎆𓎆 feet long!

This page illustrates Spell 110, which gives Imhotep 𓇍𓅓𓊵𓏏𓊪 the ability to enjoy various earthly activities. This takes place in the Field of Reeds 𓇏𓏏𓈅𓇋𓄿𓂋𓅱𓆰𓊖. Spell 110 states “…being in control there, being a blessed one there, plowing and harvesting there, eating and drinking there, and doing everything that one was used to do on earth.”

Imhotep 𓇍𓅓𓊵𓏏𓊪 is actually seen doing work in the field 𓇏𓏏𓈇 – he can be seen using a scythe to harvest grain (just like Spell 110 states)! So the things he used to do on earth, he could also accomplish in the Field of Reeds 𓇏𓏏𓈅𓇋𓄿𓂋𓅱𓆰𓊖. This is where ushabti 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾 figures came into play – instead of the deceased doing all of the work, the ushabti 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾 figures would have taken care of it all!

The Field of Reeds 𓇏𓏏𓈅𓇋𓄿𓂋𓅱𓆰𓊖 was mentioned a lot on Marvel’s show Moon Knight! In the show, Marc and Steven traveled through the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 on a boat 𓂧𓊪𓏏𓊞, but in reality, this mode of transport was typically reserved just for pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦!

On the show, the Field of Reeds 𓇏𓏏𓈅𓇋𓄿𓂋𓅱𓆰𓊖 was literally depicted as just a field 𓇏𓏏𓈇, while in Egyptian culture it was meant to be a better version of life 𓋹 on earth. There were many different depictions; a lush land with waterfalls, islands that could be traveled amongst by boats 𓂧𓊪𓏏𓊞𓏦, farmland, and lots of parties! Access to the Nile 𓇋𓏏𓂋𓅱𓈗𓈘𓈇𓏺 and the ability to farm were considered to be the ultimate reward for a good and truthful 𓐙𓌴𓂣𓏏𓆄 life 𓋹!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Anubis and his Common Title

Here is a close up of an inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥 from a sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 at the MET! While this is only part of the inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥, it is my favorite part! It’s my favorite because this is the part of the inscription that is the dedication to Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣! Whenever I see Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 name 𓂋𓈖 in the inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥 I get really excited – as if I’m seeing a celebrity!

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

𓇋𓈖𓊪𓃣 – Anubis
𓁶𓊪𓈋𓏺𓆑 Upon His Hill

This inscription can also be written as: 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 𓁶𓏺𓈋𓆑. If you notice, on the sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭, Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 name 𓂋𓈖 is missing the “𓅱” hieroglyph 𓊹𓌃! Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 name 𓂋𓈖 might have been pronounced “Inpw,” but here it’s written just as “Inp!”

Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 name 𓂋𓈖 Can be written many different ways! Here are some common variations:
𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣
𓇋𓈖𓊪𓃣
𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱
𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓁢
𓃣
𓃤
𓁢

Much like in English and other languages, the same words could have different spellings! In ancient Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖, most of the time the different spellings had to do with the space that was available on the piece that was being inscribed!

“Upon His Hill 𓁶𓊪𓈋𓏺𓆑” refers to Anubis’ 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 role as the protector of the tombs and cemeteries. Most of the time, tombs/cemeteries we’re surrounded by cliffs, hence the title! It could also be translated as “Upon His Mountain.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Emperor Augustus

The Emperor Augustus depicted on the Temple of Dendur at the MET

Here is the Emperor Augustus 𓄿𓏲𓏏𓈎𓂋𓏏𓂋! He doesn’t look like an Emperor though – he looks like a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Augustus is seen wearing the Atef crown 𓋚, a false beard, a broad collar 𓅱𓋴𓐍𓎺𓋝, armlets 𓄟𓋴𓎡𓏏𓅱𓏦, and bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦. These are all features that are associated with Egyptian pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, even though Augustus was Roman.

In this sunken relief, Augustus 𓄿𓏲𓏏𓈎𓂋𓏏𓂋 is making an offering 𓊵𓏏𓊪𓏏𓏔𓏦 of Maat 𓐙𓌴𓂣𓏏𓁦 to another god 𓊹. Augustus had many temples 𓉟𓏏𓉐𓏦 constructed that adhered to Egyptian religion and culture instead of the Roman/Hellenistic ways. This was a strategy that Augustus used to legitimize himself as the ruler of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 and gain the respect 𓈙𓆑𓄅 of the local population. This particular image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is from the Temple of Dendur, which is at the MET.

To me, what is most interesting though are the cartouches of Augustus! Unlike the Greek rulers of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 that spelled out their names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 using phonogram symbols, Augustus went a different route when having his name 𓂋𓈖 represented in hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪. In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see two 𓏻 (of his three 𓏼) cartouches:

𓄿𓏲𓏏𓈎𓂋𓏏𓂋 Augustus (Autokrator)
𓈎𓇌𓊃𓂋𓊃𓋹𓆖 Augustus (Kaisaros)

“Autokrator” is the Greek word for “Emperor,” while “Kaisaros” is the Greek word for “Caesar.”

Augustus chose to have various words for “ruler” as his name 𓂋𓈖 in hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪. Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didn’t want anyone to question his right to rule!

A close-up of Augustus’ cartouche on the Temple of Dendur at the MET

Here is another variant of Augustus’ cartouche:
𓉐𓉻𓀀

This cartouche I have always found so fascinating because it is literally the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Middle Egyptian plus the determinative sign 𓀀. Most names (even when spelled out with phonograms) are followed by a determinative for a male 𓀀 person or female 𓁐 person. By choosing to have his name depicted in this way, Augustus was literally calling himself the Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖!

In Middle Egyptian the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 literally translates to “Great House. “ this is a direct reference to the palace where the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 resided during his/her rule.

𓉐 – House
𓉻 – Great

Augustus chose to have various synonyms for “ruler 𓋾” as his name 𓂋𓈖 in hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 (Emperor, Caesar, Pharaoh). Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didn’t want anyone to question his right to rule!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“The Great God”

The Great God 𓊹𓄤 or The Perfect God 𓊹𓄤 is another extremely common phrase you will find in hieroglyphic 𓊹𓌃𓏪 inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥 across all different types of artifacts and monuments. It is definitely a good one to know and recognize because it is so common!

The Great God 𓊹𓄤 is usually found before 𓐍𓂋 the titles that accompany the prenomen (throne name) cartouche of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Another popular title that often accompanies the prenomen is 𓎟𓇿𓇿 , which translates to “Lord of the Two Lands.” Sometimes both titles will appear together!

Whether or not “𓊹𓄤” is translated as “The Great God” or “The Perfect God” is really up to the translator – I have equally seen it both ways in fantastic books!! I just tend to translate it as “The Great God” for some reason!

Let’s break this down: 𓊹𓄤
𓊹 – God
𓄤 – Good/Beautiful/Perfect

For a female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, the title would look like this: 𓊹𓏏𓄤 which would translate to “The Perfect Goddess.” Adding a “𓏏” to the word 𓊹 makes it the feminine version!

𓄤 on its own in inscriptions translates to “beautiful” and appears often as well! This is another great word/symbol to be on the lookout for!

I hope you all are enjoying these little hieroglyph 𓊹𓌃𓏪 phrase posts! It’s different from other things I have done but I have enjoyed going through my photos and making them!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Offering Formula

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!!! While I have spoken about this particular inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥 a lot, it’s a great one to review because it always shows up! Without fail if you got to a museum, you will see this inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥! It appears on pieces from pretty much every time period of Egyptian history! Also, look at how beautiful 𓄤 these hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 are! The colors are so bright even after thousands of years!

This is the famous Offering Formula! The Offering Formula is: 𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙 which translates to “An Offering the King Gives.” This particular inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥 is arranged differently than usual because of the space that is available on the piece! If you know how to read these four 𓏽 symbols, you are well on your way to reading stelae 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸𓏦, false doors, coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾/𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥 and more! The offering 𓊵𓏏𓊪𓏏𓏔𓏦 was being made to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 as a way to sustain them in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.

Let’s break it down:
𓇓 – King
𓏏𓊵 – Offering (this is the shortened version of the word. 𓊵𓏏𓊪𓏏𓏔𓏦 is the actual word for offering)
𓏙 – Gives

𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙 Is always followed by the name 𓂋𓈖 of a god 𓊹 (usually Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 or Osiris 𓁹𓊨𓀭, but other gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 will make appearances 𓈍𓏦 too).

If you would like to read more about the full Offering Formula, check out my “Hieroglyph Fun Facts” highlight – I have a lot of information there!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Let’s Put it all Together!

These hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 are from the sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 of Nectanbo 𓇳𓆣𓂓, a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 who ruled 𓋾 during the 30th Dynasty! The sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 is at the British Museum!

I think it’s time we read a full inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥! We have gone through some of the popular titles that accompany the cartouches of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, so let’s put it all together! We will start reading from the right, since the symbols point to the right!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

𓆥 – King of Upper and Lower Egypt
𓎟𓇿𓇿 – Lord of the Two Lands
𓇳𓆣𓂓 – Kheperkare (Nectanbo’s Throne Name)
𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra
𓎟𓈍𓏥 – Lord of Appearances
𓈖𓆱𓐍𓏏𓂡𓃭𓆑 – Nectanbo (Nakht Nebef)

I hope you were able to recognize some of these phrases from previous posts! Keep practicing them! These titles come up frequently in inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥! These were some of the first phrases I learned, and I was so proud when I was able to read a full inscription 𓏟𓏛𓏥 like this for the first time! I really studied cartouches too, and maybe we should do those next! The cartouches are another great way to learn phrases/symbols! Since I can’t help myself, let’s get started!

𓇳𓆣𓂓 Kheperkare (Nectanbo’s Throne Name) translates to “The manifestation of the soul is Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra
𓆣 – Manifestation (kheper)
𓂓 – Soul (ka)

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Lord of Appearances”

I have been highlighting various titles seen commonly because they are a great way to practice reading hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪, and I realized that I didn’t talk about one of the titles that appeared in yesterday’s post, so I’m going to talk about it today! Oops!

𓎟𓈍𓏥 – Lord of Appearances another popular title that is seen across many different types of monuments across Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 and museums around the world. To review: a title is a phrase that appears before a cartouche, which is the oval that encloses the name 𓂋𓈖 of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

The meaning of 𓎟𓈍𓏥 – Lord of Appearances seems to be the one that can confuse people the most and the meaning can kind of be a little subtle/abstract. I always took it to mean that when the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 arrived or appeared somewhere it was a BIG DEAL; basically a god 𓊹 showed up! Since the pharaoh was a god 𓊹 on Earth𓇾𓇾, his/her arrival needed a whole title to mention it!

Let’s break down the title:

𓎟 – Lord
𓈍𓏥 – Appearances

The hieroglyph 𓊹𓌃 for appear 𓈍 is the sun 𓇳𓏤 rising over the horizon, which is to signify Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 daily journey across the sky 𓊪𓏏𓇯. The addition of the three strokes 𓏥 makes the word plural, hence why it is translated as “appearances” instead of just “appear.”