Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Seti II

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the birth name and the throne name cartouches 𓍷𓍷𓍷 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°! Seti I π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° and Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° have the same birth name so we know that these cartouches belong to Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° based on the throne name! 

These pieces are inlays of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· , which mean that they were once part of a larger object. Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° (son π“…­ of Merenptah π“ŒΊπ“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“§π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί) ruled π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for a couple of years towards the end of the 19th Dynasty (New Kingdom).Β 

The Cartouches of Seti II
The Cartouches of Seti II

Let’s look at the birth name first (left cartouche). Here’s the birth name:  π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°

π“£π“‡Œ – Belongs to Seth

π“ˆ˜- Beloved 

π“ˆ– – Of

π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° – Ptah 

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reads β€œThe one who belongs to Seth, Beloved of Ptah.”

Now let’s look at the throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! This inlay (the one on the right side) is very interesting because it is a combination of both the throne name and the birth name! Here’s the throne name, which appears first: π“‡³π“„Šπ“†£π“¦π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Strong One 

𓆣𓏦 – Manifestations

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–- Amun

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved 

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reads β€œThe Strong One of the Manifestations of Ra, Beloved of Amun.” The throne name is unique to Seti II π“‡³π“„Šπ“†£π“¦π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜, so we know these inlays are his and not Seti I’s π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°. 

But we aren’t done!!! Underneath the throne name, the birth name appears! It’s so weird to see a combination cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· like this and I’m not gonna lie, when I saw this for the first 𓏃 time I was confused for a second! 

Here’s the birth name (again) and this time it’s a slightly different variant: π“£π“‡Œπ“˜π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°

π“£π“‡Œπ“˜ – Belongs to Seth

π“ˆ˜- Beloved 

π“ˆ– – Of

π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° – Ptah 

Also, if you notice in this cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, the symbol for β€œSeth 𓁣” is chiseled out. This is because the god π“ŠΉ Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£ was considered to be an unfavorable deity π“ŠΉ! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouche of Akhenaten

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 birth name variants for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! Now, this is most definitely a variant, because this cartouche 𓍷 definitely does not show the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born! The pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was actually born with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ (Amun is Satisfied, God and Ruler of Thebes), and changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.Β 

“Lord of Appearances, Akhenaten.”

Let’s take a closer look at Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– cartouche 𓍷! Above the cartouche is his title β€œLord of Appearances π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯.” 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten (pronounced β€œAten”)

π“…œπ“- Spirit (pronounced like β€œahk”)

π“ˆ– – Of (pronounced like β€œn”)

This is where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAkhenaten” come from and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

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€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.” 

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

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 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

The β€œcrested ibis π“…œβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram sign and is associated with the sound β€œah.” It can also be an ideogram for β€œspirit.”

The β€œplacenta or sieve 𓐍” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«β€ (similar to a β€œk”). This symbol is actually considered β€œunclassified” because Egyptologists actually don’t know what it exactly represents! 

Something that’s very special about this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is that my Nonno took it when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Horus Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

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

While the throne name and birth name are the two 𓏻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ that appear most often in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Horus Name of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! The Horus Name is one of five 𓏾 ways to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and it is the oldest way to do so. The purpose of the Horus Name was to identify the king 𓇓 as an earthly representation of the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. This helped to legitimize their rule π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ, especially if the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 wasn’t necessarily β€œin line” for the throne. 

Usually the Horus Name will appear in a Serekh, however that’s not the case here! The Falcon Horus π“…ƒ is usually standing on top of a palace facade π“Š which enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– but that is missing here probably due to spacing issues! The ancient Egyptians will always put aesthetics before grammar! Instead, π“‹Ήπ“…ƒ or β€œLiving Horus” is written to indicate the Horus Name! Again, β€œπ“‹Ήπ“…ƒ Living Horus” really tells everyone that Hatshepsut herself is the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, just here on Earth 𓇾𓇾.Β 

Hatshepsut’s Horus Name, Wosretkau, in hieroglyphs.

Let’s take a look at Hatshepsut’s Horus Name! 

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Wosretkau or Useretkau 

Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“ – Powerful, Mighty, Strong (this is the female version; male version is π“„Šπ“‹΄). 

π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Kas (Souls) 

β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

The β€œhead and neck of a jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œwsr” or β€œusr.” 

The β€œfolded cloth 𓋴” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œs.”

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€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul.” 

I think that is such a cool name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to have! This name π“‚‹π“ˆ– has only been recorded in a couple of places, including the Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ at the Vatican (pictured), the Obelisk 𓉢 at Karnak, and on a couple of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ from Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 (one of these is at the MET). 

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Birth Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Can you spot Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό birth name in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below?

Can you see Hatshepsut’s cartouche?

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the birth name (also called the given name) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! Like with most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had many different ways to write her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and these different spellings are called variants. A variant of Hatshepsut’s cartouche 𓍷 is what appears on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! 

But first 𓏃, let’s break down the full cartouche 𓍷 (aka the one that appears on most monuments) because it is the more β€œgrammatically proper” spelling!

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉπ“- United with (Khnemet)

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

So Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” 

Hatshepsut’s Birth Name Cartouche

Now that we know her most popular variant, let’s take a look at the less common variant of the cartouche 𓍷, which is the variant that appears on the stela: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉ – United with (Khnemet)

π“„‚ – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Ό – Noble Women (Shepsut)

So as you can see, even though there are less hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (aka the words are abbreviated), the cartouche still retains the original meaning/pronunciation! Abbreviations can be difficult for beginners, but it just comes with practice! 

There’s also a third variant of Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that I rarely see and it is simply: 𓄂𓏏𓀼π“ͺ which actually spells just β€œHatshepsut”!

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum, which is the same stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ as the previous post about Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 Throne Name!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Throne Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the throne name (also called the prenomen) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and one of the first 𓏃 β€œphrases” that I learned how to read when I was first learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 always distinguished their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ by wrapping them in a cartouche 𓍷, which is an oval shape with a straight line closing the oval at one end. The oval shape was meant to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ in both life π“‹Ή and death 𓅓𓏏𓏱. 

With the three 𓏼 symbol cartouche, especially when Re 𓇳𓏺 is involved, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– read middle-right-left. So why is Re 𓇳𓏺 written first but said last!? Honorific transposition! As a sign of respect, Re 𓇳𓏺 (or another god π“ŠΉ) is always written first 𓏃 but said last! 

Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓, which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” I love π“ˆ˜π“ this name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and the meaning behind it – to me, it just screams β€œpowerful!” Let’s take a closer look at the symbols that are a part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

“Maatkare” in a cartouche – this is the throne name of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut

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 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“¦ goddess with a feather” symbol is used commonly as a determinative in the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– for the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦, but is also commonly used as an ideogram for the word β€œmaat.” 

The β€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul,” since the person’s ka π“‚“ was the part of the person that interacted with others and was considered one part of a person’s soul. 

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum. When I saw this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ (one of my most favorite artifacts) I made sure to try and close up pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because I love π“ˆ˜π“ it so much!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nefertiti’s Name and Titles in Hieroglyphs

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

On this relief from the remains of the Central Palace at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– (present day Tel el-Amarna), you can see Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ π“„€Β  𓄀𓇍𓏏𓏭, and their daughter 𓅭𓏏 Meriaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“ˆ˜π“π“ praising the sun god, Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. The rays of the sun are depicted as hands giving the symbol of life, the ankh π“‹Ή, to the royal family.Β 

Nefertiti’s cartouche appears twice on this relief. Let’s look at the inscription on the left! Some of it is missing, but I am going to infer the missing pieces: 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“ˆ˜π“π“ – Meriaten (the last two symbols of her name are seen in the inscription 𓏏𓁐) (this is my guess)

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“ˆ– – Born of 

π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž – King’s Great Wife 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ π“„€ 𓄀𓇍𓏏𓏭 – Neferneferuaten Nefertiti

π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live! 

𓆖 – Everlasting (eternity)

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

So all together, the inscription reads: β€œMeriaten, born of the beloved King’s Great Wife Neferneferuaten Nefertiti, May she live for everlasting eternity.” 

Nefertiti’s cartouche reads β€œNeferneferuaten Nefertiti” which pretty much translates to β€œBeauty is the Beauties of Aten, the beautiful one has come.” β€œπ“„€β€ is a triliteral phonogram and translates to β€œnfr” (pronounced nefer) which means beauty or beautiful. This is actually the shorthand way to write β€œbeautiful,” and the other  way it appears in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is fully spelled out as β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ – it’s still pronounced the same though as β€œπ“†‘ = f” and β€œπ“‚‹ = r.” 

Above her cartouche on the left side of the relief you can see her title β€œKing’s Great Wife” π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž – (ancient Egyptians had no word for queen). Pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ also usually had multiple wives, so this title denoted the β€œfavorite” wife. 

While both of the following words – 𓆖 and π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› mean the word β€œeternity,” a lot of times they are seen together on inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! It would be silly to say β€œeternity eternity,” so Egyptologists translate this phrase as β€œπ“†–π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› Everlasting Eternity.” 

This relief is presently located at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at UCL, London. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – The Goddess Hathor in Hieroglyphs!

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

This is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! I’m sure you can see this, but Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is unique compared to that of the other deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! This is because her name is written with a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! A composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is the combination of many symbols into one symbol! Even with the combination of the symbols, the sounds of the original symbol are still retained! 

Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is the combination of an enclosure (house) 𓉗 and the falcon π“…ƒ. 

𓉗 +π“…ƒ = 𓉑 

Het (𓉗) + Heru (π“…ƒ) = 𓉑 

If the two 𓏻 symbols were written separately, we would actually read Hathor’s 𓉑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– as β€œHouse of Horus” or β€œEstate of Horus” (depending on how you translated the 𓉗 hieroglyph) – so that is the literal translation of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Kohl Tube of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ Tube! Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ was a type of eye paint (makeup) that was very popular amongst the ancient Egyptians! This tube would have contained the kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€, and then a wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό stick would have been used to apply it! The kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ tube itself is also made of faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, hence the gorgeous blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color! This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty (c. 1390-1353 B.C.E.).

For me, the most interesting part of an artifact is always going to be the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on the object! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (Amenhotep III’s Throne Name)

π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ – King’s Great Wife

π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – Tiye

π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live!

Some of you may notice when looking at this inscription that Queen Tiye’s π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is in a cartouche too! Sometimes, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the queens who held the title of the β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“β€ also appeared in cartouches to demonstrate their importance to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother! Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  seem to have been married by the second year of his reign. The reign of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  was an extremely prosperous and successful one, because it was at this time that Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– had reached its peak artistic and international power (even though Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  only participated in one military battle himself). His success had been set up by the works of the previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, such as Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 and then Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  own father, Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼.Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs from the Abydos King List!

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

These beautiful π“„€ hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the Abydos King List at the British Museum. There are two 𓏻 surviving King Lists from temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ at Abydos, the cult center of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. One temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ is from Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠, and the other from his son π“…­ Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ, who were both pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ during the 19th Dynasty. Seti I’s 𓇳𓁦𓏠 list is still in the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Abydos, while Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ was excavated and brought to the British Museum.Β 

While the two 𓏻 lists were very similar, Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ had more rows to accommodate the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ so it appears to be shorter. There are three 𓏼 rows of cartouches on the remaining limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief – the upper two 𓏻 rows contain the cartouches of earlier pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, while the bottom row shows Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ throne name and birth name alternating – this is the part we will be reading today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start from the right!

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ – Rameses II, Beloved of Amun (birth name)

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– Rameses II (β€œUsermaatre” throne name)

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“©π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Rameses II (birth name variant)

β€œBy Permission Of π“…“π“‚žπ“‚žβ€ is meant to signify that Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– commissioned the creation of this King List! It’s also cool how different variants of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– were used throughout the relief!

The point of the King Lists was not to preserve history for future generations, rather the main objective was to glorify the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and as we know, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ were considered gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth. These lists allowed Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 and Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ to assert their legitimacy amongst the old pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Alexander the Great in Hieroglyphs

In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ conquered Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and became pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! This was the beginning of the Hellenistic Period of Egyptian history. 

So why was Alexander π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ recognized as a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻? The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ saw him as the person who liberated them from the Persians! Alexander π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ also restored many of the Egyptian temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ and even built new monuments 𓏠𓏍 dedicated to the Egyptian gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! Some of these monuments 𓏠𓏍 show him worshipping Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, who basically would’ve been the Egyptian version of Zeus. After Alexander’s π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in Babylon, Ptolemy I π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄ became pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and founded the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Since Alexander π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ was Macedonian and not native Egyptian, his cartouche is very phonetic – all of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ used are uniliteral signs, which means that they correspond to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet. Let’s take a closer look! 

π“„Ώ – The β€œEgyptian Vulture 𓄿” represents the sound β€œ3” which would be pronounced like β€œah.” 

𓃭 – the β€œrecumbent lion 𓃭” was traditionally a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œrw,” however, during the Hellenistic Period it adopted the sound of β€œL.” 

π“Ž‘ – The β€œBasket with a Handle π“Ž‘β€ symbol has the sound of β€œk.”

π“Šƒ – The β€œdoorbolt π“Šƒβ€ symbol represents the sound β€œz” or β€œs.” It’s also the ideogram for the word β€œdoorbolt.” 

𓇋 – The β€œreed 𓇋” represents the sound of β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

π“ˆ– – The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

𓂧 – The β€œhand 𓂧” represents the sound β€œd” and is also the ideogram for the word β€œhand.” 

π“‚‹ – The β€œmouth 𓂋” symbol is used to represent the sound β€œr.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

π“Šƒ – see above! 

The hieroglyphs of β€œπ“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒβ€ basically spell out β€œAlksindrs.” It’s pretty cool to see the versatility of the hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbols with examples of foreign names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦!