Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠! Luckily, this sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum has her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written in two ways!Β 

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs
Nephthys in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum

Most commonly, the type of symbol that is used in Nephthys’ 𓉠 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is called a Composite Hieroglyph. A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a symbol that is the combination of multiple phonographic symbols into a single glyph. 

The three 𓏼 symbols β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—β€ can be combined to make the β€œπ“‰ β€ symbol! In statuary and funerary art, the crown on her head 𓁢𓏺 is the composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that is used to write her name (𓉠), which makes Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 very easy to identify in tomb art/funerary art. Since the goddess depicted on this sarcophagus is wearing the β€œπ“‰ β€ on her head, we know it’s Nephthys! 

But what if she wasn’t wearing the crown? How would we know it was Nephthys 𓉠 that is depicted? Luckily, most ancient Egyptian funerary art came with β€œcaptions” – usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the deity was written next to them! In this case, we can see Nephthys’ full name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written out as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡β€ right next to her face! 

Here are the two ways we see Nephthys’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the sarcophagus:Β 

𓉠

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡

Some other variants of Nephthys’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are: 

𓉠𓏏𓆇

𓉠𓏏

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“‰π“

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“’π“―π“†— 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Anubis in Hieroglyphs

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

Anubis in Hieroglyphs
Anubis in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the MET

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to look at my favorite word to spot in inscriptions: Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, so I love spotting the different variants of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! His name π“‚‹π“ˆ– turns up a lot because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of the main funerary gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­! 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

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

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

The β€œrecumbent jackal on shrine 𓃣” is used as both an ideogram and a determinative. 𓃣 is the determinative in the word β€œAnubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣” and also an ideogram for β€œAnubis 𓃣. When 𓃣 functions as an ideogram, the β€œπ“ƒ£β€ would be pronounced the same as β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣,” which is the full way to write the name. This is my absolute favorite hieroglyphic symbol!

The proper way to say Anubis in Middle Egyptian is β€œΔ±Ν—npw” (pronounced like β€œInpu” or β€œAnpu”). Even though the quail chick is missing in this variant, the determinative of Anubis 𓃣 just implies the full spelling! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAnubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, so that is why the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name: 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 (the one pictured)

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Words Spoken By Duamutef

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at the following inscription: “π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ – Words Spoken By Duamutef” which is painted on a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ that is dated to the Middle Kingdom. One of my favorite things about this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is the bright colors! It’s always incredible how beautiful and bright the colors are even after thousands of years!

Words Spoken By Duamutef
“Words Spoken By Duamutef” painted on a sarcophagus from the Middle Kingdom

β€œ π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is a really popular introduction to an inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– and it translates to β€œWords spoken by… π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“. 

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it 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 three consonant sound β€œmdw.”

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

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are also phonograms! 

The β€œstar 𓇼”  functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œdw3” (almost like β€œdua”). In other words, 𓇼 can also function as a determinative or ideogram. 

The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€œ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending on the word! π“‚Ÿ represented the sounds β€œm” or β€œmj.” The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€ could also be a determinative in the word for β€œgive π“‚‹π“‚Ÿ.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. 

So Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is something like β€œduamwttf” – which is very similar to β€œDuamutef!”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

False Door of Metjetji

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to be looking at a section of a False Door from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ named Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋. Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 lived during the Fifth or Sixth Dynasties (Old Kingdom) during the reign π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Unas π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹΄ or slightly later.Β 

False Door of Metjetji
The False Door of Metjetji which contains a list of offerings for his use in the afterlife.

On the False Door, we see Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 on the left sitting in front of an offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃. The offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 seems to have a lot of jars on it! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that we see are a part of the offering formula! 

Fun fact: usually the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the person is facing the same way as the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!  Since the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (and also Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋) are pointing to the right, we will start reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the right! Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are always read from top to bottom, so we will read that way as well!  

This is a list of all of the things that Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 needs in order to sustain him in the afterlife! 

𓇓𓏏𓀻 – King’s Nobleman/King’s Gentleman

𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 – Metjetji

𓆼𓏐- A thousand bread

𓆼𓃾 – A thousand ox 

𓆼𓅿 – A thousand fowl 

𓆼𓍲 – A thousand alabaster (I think this is a mistake – it should be β€œπ“±β€ and not β€œπ“²β€)

𓆼𓋲 – A thousand linen 

𓆼𓏖 – A thousand round loafs of bread

π“†Όπ“Š – A thousand beer

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Osiris Cartouche

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

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a man named Amenemopet who lived during the early part of the 22nd Dynasty (c. 975–909 B.C.E.).Β This coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 has what I like to call “The Osiris Cartouche” painted inside!

The Osiris Cartouche
The Osiris Cartouche is located on the bottom panel of this coffin at the MET.

If you look closely at the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork inside this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 there’s a lot of different things going on! The uppermost row of artwork in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 purifying π“‹΄π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, whose is surrounded by offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 covered in food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯! 

Above Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 there are some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (the ancient Egyptian word for β€œNetherworld”)

Is it Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being referred to as the β€œLord of the Duat,” or is it Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? Usually this epithet was used with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

One of the cool things you can see on the bottom panel is Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· and since this coffin does not belong to a pharaoh, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is not expected! But Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was believed to be the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, so I guess a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is fitting! 

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.”

The cartouche is flanked by the Golden Horus symbol π“…‰ on either side which is a Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the symbol for gold π“‹ž. The common symbols of protection, the Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra also appear above the Golden Horus π“…‰, along with the shen ring in between the Falcon’s wings. The Shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Perfect, Beautiful, Neferet

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a very popular word that appears a lot in ancient Egyptian writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! The word β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹/𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏” translates to β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood” and can be used not only in titles such as β€œπ“ŠΉπ“„€ Perfect God” or names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ such as β€œNefertiti π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“‡π“˜π“»π“—,” but also in various words or phrases too! 

In Middle Egyptian there are a couple of ways to write β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood:” 

π“„€ – the hieroglyphic symbol β€œnfr” (nefer) can be used on its own to represent the word. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – this would also be pronounced as β€œnfr” (nefer) as the sounds by the uniliteral phonograms would not be repeated. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏 – this would be pronounced as β€œnfrt,” (neferet) as this is the female form of the word! This is the one that is in my picture! 

When determinatives are used, the meaning of this word can change so be careful! β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“β€ with the woman determinative means β€œbeautiful woman” while β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“ƒ’β€ with the cow determinative means cow! Determinatives can totally change the meaning of the word!Β 

Neferet
Neferet in hieroglyphs from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the horned viper 𓆑 is pointing to the left, we will start reading from the left! 

The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.”

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. As a stand-alone symbol, it can also mean he/his. 

The β€œ mouth – 𓂋” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œr” and can be an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Pyramid Texts of Pepy I

This small relief on display at the Petrie Museum is a section of β€œThe Pyramid Texts” which is the oldest known funerary/religious writings in the world. The original text dates back to the Old Kingdom.Β 

The Pyramid Texts of Pepy I
A small relief which contains the Pyramid Texts of Pepy I

The Pyramid Texts can be thought of as a precursor to both the Coffin Texts and the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺! The main differences between these religious texts are that the Pyramid Texts were only accessible to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because they were only carved inside of the pyramids 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴𓏦. Also, the Pyramid Texts were also not illustrated!

This particular section of the Pyramid Texts contains a spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› that Pepy I π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 would say that would provide him with food and drink for eternity 𓆖! Here is a piece of the leftmost column that I could translate (a lot is cut off): 

𓇋𓅱 – My/I

π“‡¬π“ˆŽπ“ˆŽ – Eat

𓏏𓏐- Bread

π“Š- Beer

The cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the 6th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Pepy I π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 was one of the first cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ I learned to read/recognize because it’s written with only uniliteral hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! A lot of the Old Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ have names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ spelled with uniliteral signs, which makes them great for beginners to read/learn! One of the ways I started learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ was by practicing reading the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯! 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols in Pepy’s π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·: 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp,” and does not have any other grammatical functions!

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

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Horus Name of Rameses II

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the Horus Name for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II! The Throne Name (π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–) and the Birth Name (π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) usually appear more in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ so let’s take a closer look at the Horus Name! 

The Horus Name is the oldest way that a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written/identified and is one of five 𓏾 ways to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

The Horus Name consists of three elements: the palace facade π“Š, Horus the Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the palace π“Š, and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 within the palace π“Š. The palace π“Š hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is pronounced like β€œserekh” and some Egyptologists are now referring to the Horus Name as the Serekh Name. This was basically the early version of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! 

Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ had a lot of different variations of his Horus Name, so let’s take a look at the two 𓏻 that are pictured!Β 

Horus Name of Rameses II
Two variants of the Horus Name of Rameses II

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“›π“ŒΊ – β€œStrong Bull, Beloved of Ra”

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ – β€œStrong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

β€œStrong Bull π“‚‘π“ƒ’β€œ was a very popular way to start off the Horus Name for male pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 because bulls 𓃒𓃒𓃒 were a symbol of strength π“Œ€ and fertility, both of which are qualities that pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to have!

Let’s break down the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– even further: 

π“‚‘ – Strong

𓃒 – Bull

𓁧/𓁛 – Maat/Ra

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

Both variants of Rameses II’s Horus Name contain the shortened variants of certain words! 

𓁧 – Maat (π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“§)

𓁛 – Ra (𓇳𓏺𓁛)

π“ŒΊ – Beloved (π“Œ»π“‚‹π“‡Œ)

Variants can be tricky for those starting to learn hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, but with practice they become much easier – especially the shortened version of the words!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Augustus

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is a look at one of the sunken reliefs on the Temple of Dendur at the MET! This relief shows Emperor Augustus wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt π“Œ‰π“π“‹‘ standing before Horus π“…ƒπ“€­.Β 

The Cartouches of Augustus
The Cartouches of Augustus – can you spot all three?

To me, what is most interesting though are the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Augustus! Unlike the Greek rulers of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– that spelled out their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ using phonogram symbols, Augustus went a different route when having his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– represented in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see all three 𓏼 of his cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦: 

π“ˆŽπ“‡Œπ“Šƒπ“‚‹π“Šƒπ“‹Ήπ“†– – (Kaisaros)

π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“π“‚‹ – (Autokrator)

𓉐𓉻𓀀 – (Pharaoh (pr-ˁ3))

β€œAutokrator” is the Greek word for β€œEmperor,” β€œKaisaros” is the Greek word for β€œCaesar,” and β€œpr-ˁ3” is the Middle Egyptian word for β€œpharaoh.”

In Middle Egyptian the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 literally translates to β€œGreat House.β€œ This is a direct reference to the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 where the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 resided during his/her rule. 

𓉐 – House (pr)

𓉻 – Great (ˁ3)

The third cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is the one I have always found so fascinating because it is literally the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Middle Egyptian plus the male determinative sign π“€€. Most names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ (even when spelled out with phonograms) are followed by a determinative for a male π“€€ person or female 𓁐 person. By choosing to have his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– depicted in this way, Augustus was literally calling himself the Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! 

Augustus chose to have various words for β€œruler” as his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. 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! 

Can you spot three of Augustus’ cartouches in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏? 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Rameses II and Horus

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at this fragmented relief from the Louvre which depicts the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! Horus is holding Rameses II’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– hand and leading him. How do we know that this is a depiction of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ since there are many falcon gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ? The word “Edfu π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š–” in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is a major clue – Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ of the Winged Disc or β€œBehdetite” was the chief god π“ŠΉ of the city π“Š–!

Look at who is leading Horus π“…ƒπ“€­- it’s the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 who is the β€œOpener of the Ways!” Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 appears on a standard and is associated leading ritual processions.Β 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above the depiction is actually part of Rameses II’s royal titularly! Each pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 had five names, and the first one that appears is known as the β€œHorus Name.” Rameses II had many variants of his Horus Name, but we will look at the one that appears here: β€œπ“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ Strong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

π“‚‘ – Strong

𓃒 – Bull

𓁧 – Maat

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

After that, the Nebty Name π“…’ is listed! The Nebty Name is distinguished by the Nebty or Two Ladies symbol β€œπ“…’.” Only the partial name appears on the relief: β€œπ“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– Protector of Egypt.”

π“…– – Protector 

π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– – Egypt (Kemet) (most commonly, Kemet is written as β€œπ“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–,” however this is another variant).

The full name is as follows: π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ β€œProtector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands.” 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ appears:Β 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŽŸ- Lord

𓇯 – Sky

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙 – Given

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Œ€ – Strength

All together the inscription says: “Edfu, Lord of the Sky, the Perfect God Usermaatre setep en Ra Give Life and Strength.”

To the left of Rameses II: 

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– – It Is

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

All together the inscription says: “It Is the Pefect God Usermaatre setep en Ra.”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog