TodayΒ ππππ³Β we are going to be looking at some grammar – how to make a word feminine! The inscriptionΒ πππ₯Β in the picture ππ ±π says the word βgoddess πΉπ.β The word βgod πΉβ is an extremely popular word and is used throughout ancient Egyptian inscriptionsΒ πππ₯!
The βcloth wound on a pole πΉβ symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative for the word βgod.β The symbol is thought to sound like βntrβ which probably sounds like βneter.β
Yesterday in my post I mentioned that the βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β It also functions as the ideogram for the word βbread ππΊβ and can be used to make words feminine when placed at the end of the word!
A Note: just because the βπβ appears in a doesnβt mean that the word is automatically feminine – it must be at the end of the word! All nouns in Middle Egyptian were either masculine or feminine, and the masculine nouns had no special ending! The ending of βπβ is just an ending, and is not part of the root of the word.
Hereβs some examples of some words that become feminine with the βπβ:
βπ’π brotherβ and βπ’ππ sisterβ
βπΉ godβ and βgoddeHieroglyphic Grammar – Making Words Femininess πΉπβ
βπΎππ male rulerβ and βπΎπππβ (here not only is π added but the determinative changes too)
βπ Lordβ and βLady ππβ
βπ³πΉπΏπ lionβ and βπ³πΉπΏππ lionessβ
TodayΒ ππππ³ we are going to be looking at a word ππ§π ±π that has two π» meanings! The wordΒ ππ§π ±πΒ is βπππ»β which can mean βcomeβ or βwelcomeβ depending on the context!Β
The βreed with legs πβ symbol is a combination of the βreed πβ and the βwalking legs π»β symbols. π is a uniliteral phonogram symbol, and is usually associated with the sound βj.β
The βreed πβ is a very popular symbol that Iβm sure you all recognize! π is also a uniliteral phonogram symbol, and is also associated with the sound βj.β This symbol can also act as an ideogram for the word βreed ππΊ.β When the symbol is doubled βπβ it is associated with the sound βy.β Now, most will translate the βreed πβ as having the sound of βi,β but that sound association only became popularized during Greek times!
The βwalking legs π»β symbol is a determinative in words that have to do with motion. It can also function as a biliteral phonogram and was associated with the sound βjw.β π» could also function as an ideogram for the word βstep π»πΊ.β
So all together, πππ» would have possibly been pronounced like βΔ±ΝΔ±Νβ or βjjβ!! In this word, βππβ are the phonograms and βπ»β is the determinative! The determinatives at the end of words ππ§ππ were not pronounced and instead acted like punctuation! The determinative βsummarizedβ the meaning of the word ππ§π ±π and let you know that the word ππ§π ±π was finished!
So if you are new here, Welcome πππ» to @ancientegyptblog π£π!!!
Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at an alternate spelling for the name ππ of the god πΉ Duamutef πΌπππ! Usually, Duamutef is written as βπΌπ ππ,β however, βπΌπππβ is an alternate spelling for his name ππ! While it is only a one symbol difference, that could confuse people who are just learning which is why I wanted to talk about it! Most of the deities in the Egyptian pantheon had multiple ways that their names πππ¦ written in inscriptions πππ₯! Another less common way to write Duamutefβs name is βπ§π―πΌπ ππ,β but I have rarely seen that spelling used!
Letβs take a look at DuamutefβsΒ πΌπππΒ name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! All of the symbols in DuamutefβsΒ πΌπππΒ name ππ are phonogram symbols, which means that they represent sounds!Β
The βstar πΌβ functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound βdw3β (almost like βduaβ). Triliteral means that the symbol represents three consonants! In other words, it can also function as a determinative or ideogram.
The βforearm with bread πβ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending ok the word! π represented the sounds βmβ or βmj.β The βforearm with bread πβ could also be a determinative in the word for βgive ππ.β
The βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β It also functions as the ideogram for the word βbread ππΊβ and can be used to make words feminine!
The βhorned viper πβ functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound βf.β In other words, it can function as a determinative.
So Duamutefβs πΌπππ name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ is something like βduamwttfβ – which is very similar to βDuamutef!β Most of the major deities have Greek names πππ¦ that we use to identify them, instead of their actual Egyptian name ππ. For example, βAnubisβ is a Greek name – βInpuβ is what the ancient Egyptians would have called Anubis πππͺπ ±π£!
I love woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ tomb models so much! As a kid they reminded me of dolls and dollhouses! Another thing I loved about them was how excited my Nonno would get over woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ pieces – he would always talk about how important woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ artifacts were. Since woodΒ π±ππΊΒ decomposes over time, it is more rare to have woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ artifacts be found in good condition as opposed to stoneΒ ππππͺ.Β
The models in this post (and many others) were found in the tombΒ ππ«ππΒ of the Royal Chief Steward Meketre who lived during the reign πΎ of Montuhotep IIΒ π ππΏπ ±π΅ππͺΒ and possibly Amenemhat IΒ ππ ππ ππ. Meketreβs high status as an officialΒ π΄ππΒ is why he was able to afford so many woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ models and such an elaborate burial.Β
While the main part of MeketreβsΒ tombΒ ππ«ππ had been plundered in ancient times, excavators found a hidden chamber, and that is where all of the woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ models were found! There were 24 πππ½ almost perfectly preserved models found in theΒ tombΒ ππ«ππ. Half of the models are at the MET, while the other half are at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo!
While Egyptian ππππ religious beliefs didnβt necessarily change much over time, some of the customs did! The Egyptians πππππͺ believed that the dead π ππ± needed nourishment in the forms of food π¬ππ ±ππ₯ and water π, even in the afterlife πΌπΏππ. During the Old Kingdom, this was achieved by depicting different types of food π¬ππ ±ππ₯ production on tomb ππ«ππ and chapel walls. In the Middle Kingdom, this practice evolved into placing wooden π±ππΊ models depicting different types of food π¬ππ ±ππ₯ production in a sealed chamber in the tomb ππ«ππ. It was thought that the models would hold more magical πππΏπ power than the carvings!
This wooden model depicts a slaughterhouse.
CowsΒ π€πππππ¦Β and geese πππ ¬π¦ are being slaughtered by butchers, and dried out meat ππ ±ππΉ can be seen hanging above them. Butchery was considered a high status occupation in ancient EgyptΒ ππ ππ, and most of the population did not have access to meat ππ ±ππΉ as a type of food π¬ππ ±ππ₯. Even having access to meat ππ ±ππΉ in the afterlifeΒ πΌπΏππΒ was a sign of status!
This model is of a granary πππ, and the model is divided into two π» sections.
The βtopβ section in my picture ππ ±π is of the actual granaryΒ πππ, where the grainΒ ππΏπ ±πΈπ¦Β was stored. The βbottomβ section is of the accounting area, where scribesΒ πππͺΒ are seen keeping records with supplies such as papyrus rollsΒ π ππππ¦ and wooden boards.Β The ancient EgyptiansΒ πππππͺΒ relied heavily on grainΒ ππΏπ ±πΈπ¦Β for foodΒ π¬ππ ±ππ₯, so it was an absolute must for them to keepΒ meticulous records about their supply.Β
It is interesting to note that there are only six πΏ workers carrying/pouring out the grain ππΏπ ±πΈπ¦, while there are nine scribes πππͺ for record keeping! Either this is a coincidence, or a commentary on just how important scribes πππͺ were to society in ancient Egypt ππ ππ!
Another thing I absolutely love about theΒ woodenΒ π±ππΊΒ models are how detailed they are! If you look at the workers who are pouring grainΒ ππΏπ ±πΈπ¦Β into the granaryΒ πππ, they have dust ππ π ±π‘ all over their faces! This would be from them pouring the grainΒ ππΏπ ±πΈπ¦, and some of the dust ππ π ±π‘ coming back up at them!Β
These wooden models are so amazing because they provide a look into some of the more common aspects of life πΉ in ancient Egypt ππ ππ, despite the fact that Meketreβs high status as an official π΄ππ is why he was able to afford so many wooden π±ππΊ models and such an elaborate burial.
This next model has no people in it! This model is of a βPorch and Garden πππͺπ,β and beautifully π€ paintedΒ π¨ππ ±ππΈπ¦Β columns (in the form of papyrus plants) can be seen on the porch part.
My favorite part of the model is that there is actually a pool ππ in the center that could have been potentially filled with water π! The area around the pool ππ is lined with sycamore trees πππππͺ, and while it is hard to see in this picture ππ ±π, there are little red figs π§πΏπππͺ growing on the branches! Sycamore trees πππππͺ are commonly associated with the goddess πΉπ Hathor π‘.Β
Some Egyptologists think that this piece would have functioned similarly to a βSoul House,β which weβre clay models that usually had an open court for offerings π΅ππͺπππ¦ or water π. This garden πππͺπ model could also be thought of as a libation basin π»ππ (because of the pool ππ of waterπ) that is decorated really nicely!
TodayΒ ππππ³Β we are going to be looking at a βPylon Shaped Stela of Rameses IIβ (c.Β 1279β1213 B.C.E.) at the MET. This piece is made of limestoneΒ ππππΒ and describes Rameses IIΒ π³ππ§π³ππ!Β
Put all together, this inscription reads: βRameses II, Beloved of Hathor, Lady of the Southern Sycamore.β
Here are the right two columns:
π³ππ§π³ππ – Rameses II (Throne Name)
π‘ – Hathor
ππ – Lady
ππππ – West
πΊ – Beloved
Put all together, this inscription reads: βRameses II, Beloved of Hathor, Lady of the West.β
Hathor π‘ has the title βLady of the West ππππππβ because of her roles was to provide peace and solace to the souls πππ of the deceased π ππ± as they entered the afterlife πΌπΏππ. Many people obviously associate Hathor π‘ with love, joy π«ππ£, music πππΈ etc, but she was also a prominent funerary goddess πΉπ!
Hathor π‘ has the title βLady of the Southern Sycamore ππππππβ or just βLady of the Sycamore ππππππβ because the sycamore tree ππππ was one of the native trees in Egypt ππ ππ, and it grew at the edge of the desert π πππ! This would put it near necropolises, tombs ππ«πππ¦ etc, so it was associated with the dead π ππ±! Hathor π‘ was considered one of the tree goddesses πΉπΉπΉπ, along with Isis π¨ππ₯ and Nut πππ―π.
TodayΒ ππππ³Β we are going to be looking at a sistrumΒ πππππ£Β which has the various names πππ¦ of the pharaoh ππ» Teti πͺπ on it!
While most sistrumsΒ πππππ£πͺ contain an image ππ ±π of the goddess πΉπ Hathor π‘ on the handle, this is actually one of the earliest sistrumsΒ πππππ£πͺΒ ever found (c.Β 2323β2291Β B.C.E.) and is dated to the 6th Dynasty (Old Kingdom) so it is a little bit different than the sistrumsΒ πππππ£πͺΒ we are used to seeing! The top part of the sistrumΒ πππππ£ which contains the hieroglyphsΒ πΉππͺΒ is supposed to be a shrineΒ πππ ππ.
The hieroglyphsΒ πΉππͺ on the sistrumΒ πππππ£ are a list of theΒ pharaoh ππ» Tetiβs πͺπ various names πππ₯! Something interesting is that Tetiβs πͺπ names (except the birth name) are only mentioned on this sistrumΒ πππππ£Β – I donβt think the names πππ₯ have been inscribed anywhere else! Usually just Teti πͺπ is seen! Also, Teti πͺπ Β doesnβt seem to have a throne name ππ!! Letβs take a closer look!Β
Letβs start from the right-most column:
π₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt
(π π³πͺπ) – Son of Ra, Teti (in the Old Kingdom, the titles were sometimes placed in the cartouche) (Birth Name)
Left-most column:
π π΄π΅ππͺ – Sehotep Nebty (The One Who Has Satisfied the Two Lands) (Nebty Name)
TodayΒ ππππ³Β we are going to be taking a closer look at one of the statues πππππΎπͺ that MerenptahΒ π³ππππΉπΉπΉΒ usurped from Amenhotep IIIΒ ππ ππ΅πΎπ! There are definitely some familiar hieroglyphic πΉππͺ phrases here that some of you will recognize!! This statue is at the πππππΎ MET!
The hieroglyphs πΉππͺ here show three πΌ names πππ¦: the Horus Name, the Throne Name and the Given Name! Since the symbols are pointing to the left, letβs start reading from the left!Β
π‘ππππ π ππ – βThe Strong Bull Who Rejoiced in Truthβ (Horus Name)
π – this symbol on the side of the statue πππππΎ is thought to be representative of the unification of Upper π and Lower π€ Egypt.
Something else that is interesting is that there are name ππ variants on the same statue πππππΎ! Name ππ variants were just different ways to write the same name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
I must admit – I am very guilty of walking past these statuesΒ πππππΎπͺΒ at the MET a lot because usually I want to go straight for the Temple of Dendur!! These pictures ππ ±ππ¦ are from May, but when I went to the MET earlier this month I got some close up photosΒ ππ ±ππ¦Β of these gorgeous π€ statuesΒ πππππΎπͺ, so Iβm going to do a bit of a series on them! TodayΒ ππππ³Β we will learn the history, and then we will read the hieroglyphsΒ πΉππͺΒ tomorrowΒ πΌπΏπ³!Β
These two π» statues πππππΎπͺ originally belonged to the pharaoh ππ» Amenhotep III ππ ππ΅πΎπ. While these two π» statues πππππΎπͺ now adorn the entrance to the museum exhibit of the Temple of Dendur, they originally were located at Amenhotep IIIβs ππ ππ΅πΎπ temple πππ dedicated to Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ at Thebes πππ (modern day Luxor). Amenhotep III ππ ππ΅πΎπ ruled πΎ Egypt ππ ππ during the 18th Dynasty.
Then in the 19th Dynasty, along came the pharaoh ππ» Merenptah π³ππππΉπΉπΉ! Merenptah π³ππππΉπΉπΉ was the son π of Rameses II ππ πππ³πΊππ΄π, and like father πππ like son π , Merenptah π³ππππΉπΉπΉ usurped the statues πππππΎπͺ of other pharaohs ππ»π¦ and put his name ππ on them!
Usurping can be thought of as ancient plagiarism, and was very common during this time period. While I equate usurpation to plagiarism to put it in a modern context, the purpose wasnβt to defame the previous pharaohsΒ ππ»π¦Β of EgyptΒ ππ ππ. The purpose was for the common pharaoh to promote his own rule πΎ, and what better way to do that than to use statuesΒ πππππΎπͺ, templesΒ ππππ¦, etc. that already are made!?
It is always funny to see a statue πππππΎ that has the facial features of one pharaoh ππ», but has the name ππ of another pharaoh ππ» on it! Rameses II ππ πππ³πΊππ΄π did this all the time – that manβs name ππ is everywhere!
Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at the Horus Name for the pharaoh ππ» Rameses II! So far, I have really only spoken about the Throne Name (π³ππ§π³ππ) and the Birth Name (ππ πππ³πΊππ΄π), so letβs take a closer look at the Horus Name!
The Horus Name is the oldest way that a pharaohβs ππ» name ππ was written/identified and is one of five πΎ ways to write the name ππ of a pharaoh ππ». The Horus Name consists of three elements: the palace facade π, Horus the Falcon π standing on top of the palace π, and the name ππ of the pharaoh ππ» within the palace π. The palace π hieroglyph πΉπ is pronounced like βserekhβ and some Egyptologists are now referring to the Horus Name as the Serekh Name. This was basically the early version of the cartouche!
Rameses II ππ πππ³πΊππ΄π had a lot of different variations of his Horus Name, so letβs take a look at the two π» that are pictured!
π‘πππΊ – βStrong Bull, Beloved of Raβ
π‘ππ§πΊ – βStrong Bull, Beloved of Maatβ
βStrong Bull π‘πβ was a very popular way to start off the Horus Name because bulls πππ were a symbol of strength π and fertility, both of which are qualities that pharaohs ππ»π¦ wanted to have!
