Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of the Goddess Isis

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looked at a raised relief of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ from the West Wall of a Chapel of Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…±. This chapel was originally located in the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–. Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± was old when he took the throne, and most of his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were either finished by or made by his 𓆑 son π“…­, Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–.Β 

In ancient Egyptian art, one of the ways to distinguish deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ from each other are either looking at the crowns on their head, or the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear next to them. The crowns stayed pretty standard for most deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, however, Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“†‡ crown changed a lot! Most commonly she is depicted with the throne hieroglyph π“Š¨ on her head because it’s part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! She can also be represented with the solar disk 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹, or as she is here, with the solar disc 𓇳, cow horns π“„‹, and feathers 𓆄π“ͺ. The solar disk 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹ makes her look similar to Hathor 𓉑, so it’s a good idea to read the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in this case!

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

Relief of the Goddess Isis
Relief of the Goddess Isis from the Chapel of Rameses I in the temple of Seti I at the MET

We are going to start reading from the right because the directional symbols (aka the birds π“…¨ 𓅐) point to the right! As usual, we are also going to read the columns from top to bottom!Β 

π“Š¨π“π“†‡ – Isis

𓅨𓂋𓏏 – Great One

π“ŠΉπ“π“… – God’s Mother

π“ŽŸπ“ – Lady/Mistress

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky/Heaven

π“ŽΊπ“ – Lady/Mistress

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

The most common way to write Lady/Mistress is β€œπ“ŽŸπ“,” however, β€œπ“ŽΊπ“β€ is also a variant of that same word! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The God Osiris Inside A Sarcophagus

This depiction of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is on the inside of a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is the lord of the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐  and it was the goal to be β€œreborn” like Osiris π“Š©π“Ή was after death. Much like Osiris π“Š©π“Ή in the myth, the deceased would not return to the world of the living, but instead live on in the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.Β 

The God Osiris

Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is always depicted in the same way – as a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… , and wearing the Atef crown π“‹š. The Atef crown is the White Crown of Upper Egypt π“Œ‰π“π“‹‘ with two 𓏻 feathers 𓆄𓏏𓏭𓋛 of Ma’at π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ adorning the sides. Above Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛, who is the god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺. 

I love how Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is drawn in the β€œHorizon π“ˆŒβ€ hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ. The ancient Egyptians used to use hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as artistic depictions for a lot of the natural happenings! Another example is how the β€œsky 𓇯” and β€œstar 𓇼” hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ were often also used to depict these object in art. 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start near Osiris’ head!

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (ancient Egyptian word for Afterlife/Netherworld)

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“‚¦π“ˆŠ – Sacred Land/Necropolis

Next to the flail: 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is often referred to as “Foremost of the West π“…π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ” because in ancient Egypt, the “west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ” was referred to as the Land of the Dead since the sun 𓇳𓏺 set in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ.

Now beneath β€œwest” is where I don’t know what the glyphs say! It looks like β€œπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒβ€ which is β€œdivine writing” (aka hieroglyphs” but β€œGreat God π“ŠΉπ“‰Όβ€ would make more sense! Sometimes the way the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are drawn/painted can make it difficult to read and interpret!

There are many different ways to write Osiris’ name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. Much like any language, Middle Egyptian changed and evolved over time. The way that Osiris is written on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, “π“Š©π“Ή,” is a popular spelling from the Third Intermediate Period – Late Period, which is when this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is dated to. The most common way that Osiris was written before then was “π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­,” which is the spelling that most are familiar with. Other ways to write Osiris are: 𓁹𓇓𓀴 and π“Ήπ“Š¨π“‚‹π“€΄, but these are less common.

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of the Aten

Usually, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. The oval surrounding the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was meant to be protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ both in life π“‹Ή and in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. During the 18th Dynasty, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the King’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ would also sometimes appear in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·. 

Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was not a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 that followed tradition! Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, which archaeologists sometimes refer to as the β€œAmarna Revolution” is a period of less than 20 π“Ž†π“Ž† years which showed big changes not only to the traditional Egyptian religion, but also changes to the traditional Egyptian art. 

This fragment does not contain the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. Instead, the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are very long way to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, the sole sun 𓇳𓏺 deity π“ŠΉ in Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– new religion.Β 

Cartouches of the Aten
The Cartouches of the Aten

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These are two 𓏻 of the β€œearly” cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, as there were variations during the later part of the Amarna period. The two 𓏻 cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are incomplete, but since we know what the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are supposed to say, I will translate both! 

Here is the first two cartouches at the top of the fragment:  π“‹Ήπ“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒπ“Ž›π“‚π“»π“›π“π“ˆŒπ“ 

π“‹Ή – Living 

π“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒ – Ra-Horakhty

π“Ž›π“‚π“»π“› – Rejoicing 

𓐝 – in

π“ˆŒπ“ – Horizon

This translates to β€œThe Living Ra-Horakhty, Rejoicing in the Horizon.” 

This second cartouche got cut off (you can only see the first two symbols), but here it is: π“π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“†‘π“π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“»π“π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³

𓐝 – In 

π“ˆ–π“‚‹ – Name

𓆑 – His 

𓐝 – As 

π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“» – Light

𓐝 – In 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten

This translates to β€œIn His Name As the Light Which is In the Aten.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Nut” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­! Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and the cosmos. In the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– pictured, the determinative symbol is missing and Nut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is spelled with just the phonograms – β€œπ“Œπ“π“‡―.”

Nut

Let’s break down the symbols in Nut’s name! 

The β€œpot π“Œβ€ symbol has a lot of varying and confusing functions! Most commonly, it is used as a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnw.” It can also replace and act as a variant for the β€œgrain of sand π“ˆ’β€ symbol on special occasions.

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 when placed at the end of the word!

The β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is mostly used as a determinative and ideogram in the words for β€œsky/heaven,” β€œabove,” and β€œceiling.” When used in the word β€œsky,” it is associated with the sound β€œpt” since it is acting like an ideogram. This symbol can also be associated with the sounds β€œhrt,” β€œhry,” and β€œnwt” – depending on which symbols come before it and how it is used!

If you look closely, the words for β€œsky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯” and β€œNut π“Œπ“π“‡―β€ look extremely similar but they are pronounced differently! In these words, the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is working as an ideogram and complementing the sounds of the previous symbols! This is what we call a β€œphonetic complement” – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!

π“Œπ“π“‡― – Nut is pronounced like β€œnwt” and the β€œnw π“Œβ€ + β€œt 𓏏” is the complemented by the sky symbol which is also β€œnwt” in this case! This is how phonetic complements work! β€œπ“Œπ“ is technically β€œnwtnwt” but is only pronounced like β€œnwt (Nut).” 

Bonus Grammar:

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky is pronounced like β€œpt π“Šͺ𓏏” (β€œpπ“Šͺ” + β€œt 𓏏”) and the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol would also be associated with the sound β€œpt” in this case since it is complementing the two previous symbols! Sky is technically written as β€œptpt” but only pronounced as β€œpt.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Tomb in Hieroglyphs!

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the ways to write β€œtomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below is from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ at the MET, which has the word for “tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰” written on it!

Tomb in Hieroglyphs
The word for “tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰” in hieroglyphic symbols on a sarcophagus at the MET.

Let’s break down each of the symbols:Β 

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

The β€œbundle of reeds 𓇩” is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œjz.”

The β€œdoorbolt π“Šƒβ€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram which represents the sound β€œz” or β€œs.” It’s also the 

ideogram for the word β€œdoorbolt.” 

The β€œschematic house plan π“‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œpr,” but it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œhouse 𓉐𓏺.” This symbol is commonly used as a determinative for words that have to do with buildings (like our word of the day – tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰) or places (Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐). 

So how would β€œπ“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰β€ be pronounced? π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ would actually be said like β€œis.” In Middle Egyptian, a bunch of the written words repeat sounds, but the repeated sounds aren’t pronounced at all. It’s like how β€œπ“„€β€ and β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ are both still pronounced β€œnfr” even though the sounds repeat in the word.Β There are many variants for ancient Egyptian words, and it makes reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ like a puzzle! When you first start learning it can be frustrating, but then it becomes fun!

Here are some other variants/ways to write β€œtomb” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓉐𓆖 – Mastaba (House of Eternity)

𓂝𓂝𓉴 – Tomb/Mastaba

𓄿𓂝𓂝𓉴 – Tomb/Mastaba

π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“ŒΈ – Tomb Shaft

π“…œπ“π“ˆŒπ“‰ – Tomb of a King, Horizon

𓀻𓋴𓉐 – Tomb Chapel

If you want to see the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, check out my video on this post!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Difference Between π“€€ and 𓀁 Hieroglyphs

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

What’s the difference between π“€€ and 𓀁? They are very similar symbols in terms of style, but today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to take a closer look at both of them because they do have different functions and meanings in Middle Egyptian! 

But first, let’s review the different types of hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbols! The determinative symbol is a symbol used to show the general meaning of the word! It is basically used as punctuation at the end of the word to show you that it is over, and is not pronounced. An ideogram is a single symbol that is used to write the word it represents and is usually followed by a single stroke 𓏺. A phonogram is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word. There are phonograms that can represent one (uniliteral), two (biliteral) or three (triliteral) consonants!Β 

hieroglyphs
An image of sunken relief hieroglyphs showing the man with hand to mouth 𓀁 hieroglyph on the left and the seated man π“€€ hieroglyph on the right (The MET)

The β€œseated man π“€€β€œ symbol can be a phonogram, ideogram, and most commonly a determinative. As a uniliteral phonogram it represents the sound β€œj.” It is also an ideogram for β€œman 𓀀𓏺” and can be used as a first person pronoun. As a determinative, π“€€ appears at the end of words (such as occupations and names) to show that the person is a man. 

Here are some examples on how to use π“€€: 

π“€€ – I, Me, My

π“…­π“€€ – Son (the determinative is rarely used later on, but this was the original word)

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe 

π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“―π“€€ – Nonno

𓆑𓀀/𓇋𓏏𓀀 – Father

𓀀𓏺/π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ – Man

The β€œman with hand to mouth 𓀁” symbol functions solely as a determinative symbol and is usually used to represent words that are associated with speaking, thinking, eating, drinking, and for feelings/emotions.

Here are some examples on how to use 𓀁: 

𓇋𓀁 – To Say/Speak

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“…“π“€ – Eat

π“Šƒπ“ƒ€π“‡‹π“€ – Drink

π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“€ – Mourning

π“Ώπ“Ž›π“…±π“€ – Rejoice

As you can see, the 𓀁 symbol appears at the end of the word, meaning that it is the determinative!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs or the X-Men?

Over on my Instagram, a lot of people commented how much they loved my X-Men shirt! I’m going to be honest, there’s a reason I wore it to the MET – it looks like the β€œarea with an intersection π“Š–β€ hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! I love it when my interests collide (I’m a huge Marvel comics fan)!

The β€œπ“Š–β€ is used as both an ideogram and a determinative! More commonly, β€œπ“Š–β€ functions as the determinative, or the last symbol in the word that almost acts as punctuation to let the reader know the general meaning of the word. β€œπ“Š–β€ is the determinative for town (π“Š–π“Ί – njwt), city, settlement, and even the country of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! β€œπ“Š–β€ seems to be used for towns/cities in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, while most foreign lands used the determinative of β€œπ“ˆŠ.”

Personified Estates
Me (in my X-Men shirt) at the MET standing with the Personified Estates relief from the tomb of Akhithotep

This relief I am standing with shows β€œPersonified Estates” from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of a man named Akhithotep. The β€œpeople” in this relief aren’t actually meant to show people – they are personifications of the farms and estates that belonged to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Each of the figures is also carrying food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ – those are offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 that the estates will continue to provide to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱!Β Personified Estates do appear frequently in Old Kingdom tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ art, and it’s a really interesting concept!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Above the first 𓏃 figure on the left, you can see: 

π“Š–π“Š–π“Š–π“‡Ώπ“Ž”π“‡‰ – Domains of Lower Egypt

π“ƒ€π“‚§π“†“π“π“Š– – Bedjet (the estate) 

𓏑𓋴𓂋𓆑 – Warm Bread

This inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– means that the Bedjet π“ƒ€π“‚§π“†“π“π“Š– estate of Lower Egypt will provide warm bread 𓏑𓋴𓂋𓆑 for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱! 

This raised relief is dated to the 4th Dynasty (c. 2575–2551 B.C.E) and is carved in limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰.Β The relief is also quite high off of the limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰, which is typical of Old Kingdom (especially 4th Dynasty) art.

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Name Stones of Senemut

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

I’m sure doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone that my favorite time period of Egyptian history is the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! These stones are dated to the 18th Dynasty reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and are inscribed π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was a non-royal man who rose to become the most important official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ during Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.Β 

While these pieces may seem like some random limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks, they are actually what archaeologists refer to as β€œName Stones.” The Name Stones were built into Senemut’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 and were not meant to be seen – they were just meant to indicate that Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό took ownership of his tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐. 

I’ve seen Senemut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–appear a couple of different ways in hieroglyphs and here are the variations: π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½, and π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…. It’s the determinative that’s changing, not the symbols that influence pronunciation!

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphs on each of the stones!Β 

Name Stones
A name stone with the text “Overseer, Senemut” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:Β 

𓄓𓉐𓏀 – Overseer 

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – SenemutΒ 

Name Stone
A name stone with the text “Senemut, True of Voice” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – Senemut 

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice

Name Stone
A name stone with the text “Overseer of the Garden of Amun, Senemut” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:

π“ˆ™π“€π“Šͺπ“ˆ™π“ˆ– Overseer of the Garden

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – Senemut 

β€œOverseer of the Garden of Amun, Senemut”

These are my personal photographs and original text. DO NOT repost without explicit permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Pharaoh Rameses I

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 19th Dynasty, Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…±! Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 was of non-Royal birth and was already quite old when the previous pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, chose him as his successor. Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± had a very brief reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of about two 𓏻 years! 

Before he was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 served as the vizier 𓅷𓏏𓏺𓀀 to Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and was a High Priest of Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. This means that Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 probably played an important role in the restoration of the old religion! Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 (his 𓆑 son π“…­) succeeded him on the throne and this was the first direct father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 to son π“…­ succession since Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!

Rameses I
The throne name (left) and birth name (left) cartouches of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Rameses I

Let’s break down each of the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦! We are going to start with the throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· (prenomen) on the left!Β This is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that the person took when they became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

𓇳𓄇𓏠 – Men Pehty Ra (β€œEternal is the Strength of Ra”) 

Let’s break down the symbols/phrases in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· to gain a better understanding of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:Β 

𓇳 – Ra 

𓄇 – Strength/Strong

𓏠 – Eternal 

Now let’s look at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right!Β The birth name is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that the person was born with!

π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± – Ramessu (β€œRa has Bore Him” or β€œRa has Fashioned Him”)

Let’s break down the symbols/phrases in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· to gain a better understanding of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:Β 

𓇳 – Raπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Hieroglyphs on Sarcophagus

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

This very simple limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ from the Middle Kingdom (Dynasty 11, c. 2051–2030 B.C.E.) is one of my absolute favorite pieces! This sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to a priestess π“ŠΉπ“› of Hathor 𓉑 named Henhenet π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ are incredibly well preserved!

Here is the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–: 

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“ƒ£π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“‡‹π“Άπ“…±π“π“Žπ“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“Œ π“‹΄π“€π“‰¬π“„€π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“…“π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌπ“‰“π“π“‚‹π“ƒ£π“…π“ŠΉπ“‰±π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“Œ³π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“π“‡“π“π“†­π“Œ‘π“π“π“‰‘π“ŠΉπ“›π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“π“™π“…±π“π“Š€

Here is the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– broken down by word/phrase:

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ An Offering the King Gives 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 – Anubis

π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘ – Upon his Hill/Mountain

π“‡‹π“Άπ“…±π“π“Ž- He Who is in the Mummy Wrappings

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦ – Lord of the Sacred Land

π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“Œ π“‹΄π“€π“‰¬ – Burial

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏- Good 

π“…“ – In Her

π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ – Tomb 

π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ – Necropolis

𓉓 – A Voice Offering 

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓃣 – Anubis 

𓏅 – In Front At 

π“ŠΉπ“‰± – God’s Booth (Shrine for Anubis)

π“ˆ–π“‡‹- For The/By The

π“Œ³π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“ – Venerated/Revered

𓇓 – King 

π“π“†­π“Œ‘π“π“ – Sole Ornament 

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŠΉπ“› – High Priestess

π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“ – Henhenet

π“™π“…±π“π“Š€ – True of Voice

β€œAn Offering the King Gives Anubis, Upon his Hill, He Who is in the Mummy Wrappings, Lord of the Sacred Land, A Good Burial In Her Tomb of the Necropolis, A Voice Offering Before Anubis In Front At the God’s Booth, For the Venerated Sole Ornament of the King, High Priestess of Hathor, Henhenet, True of Voice.”