Month: September 2023

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Image” 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 a word that I use frequently in my descriptions, β€œπ“π“…±π“,” which translates to β€œimage,” β€œlikeness,” β€œstatue,” or β€œfigure.”

Image
The word “Image” in hieroglyphs from a papyrus on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I also utilize this particular word to translate the words β€œpicture” and β€œphoto” because that would be the closest Middle Egyptian to English translation! For the word β€œstatue,” the β€œπ“€Ύβ€ determinative is put at the end of the word so it would be spelled like β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύ.” 

The importance of the visual representation of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ was embedded in ancient Egyptian religion and culture. For example, when the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was alive, he/she was thought to be the living image 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹 of the God π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. 

The Egyptians built temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ and shrines π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰π“¦ to their gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ because they believed that the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ could be approached and prayed to through the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that resided in these places of worship. The statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ or β€œimages of the gods” were thought to be the actual deity and were thus treated with great reverence 𓐍π“„ͺπ“…± and respect. 

Another example is that when a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written down in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, it meant that the person would live π“‹Ή forever π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. The visual representation of a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– had the power to give the person eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This is why pharaohs wanted their name on as many monuments as possible – their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ had immense power! 

Let’s break down the symbols in the word β€œπ“π“…±π“!” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super common symbol that you will see in a lot of inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram sign, which means it has the sound of a single consonant. The β€œπ“…±β€ is representative of the sound β€œw” or β€œu.” This symbol is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

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.”

So why did I choose to highlight this particular word? β€œπ“π“…±π“β€ was one of the first words that I learned when I was first starting to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The reason is because it is part of Tutankhamunβ€˜s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ cartouche, which translates to β€œLiving Image of Amun!” 

Here is a breakdown of Tutankhamunβ€˜s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

𓏏𓅱𓏏 – Tut (image)

π“‹Ή – Ankh (life/living)

π“‹Ύ – Ruler

𓉺 – of/on

𓇓 – Upper Egypt

As a side note, I am a visual learner, and I think that’s why I’m really great at things like reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and geology – both are topics which require the brain to use images and visuals over other types of processing. Even when I speak English and Italian I see the words in my head as if they are subtitles so I think my visual brain is why I am good at languages! Plus I always say that rocks are the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ of the Earth, so I am grouping geology in with languages too!Β Despite the auditory nature of languages, for me, they are actually more visual.

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Hippopotamus Statues

My sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“ sent me this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 that she took at the Brooklyn Museum and I immediately knew that I had to share it with all π“ŽŸ of you!Β 

Hippopotamus Statues
Hippopotamus Statues from the Middle Kingdom on display at the Brooklyn Museum

It’s no mystery that I love the ancient Egyptian hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ! My favorites are the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ones that are typically dated to the Middle Kingdom time period! 

What I love about this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is it shows the diversity of the art that was created during the Middle Kingdom! The blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hippopotamus 𓐍𓃀𓃯 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is a lot more detailed and refined, while the clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are a little rougher! 

The hippo 𓐍𓃀𓃯 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in the forefront of the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are made out of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and were most likely used as a kind of offering during the β€œFeast of the White Hippopotamus.” During this festival, a hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― was dragged on a sled before the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. The base that these two 𓏻 hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ have are representative of that sled! 

The blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hippopotamus 𓐍𓃀𓃯 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is always a treat to see and I love seeing them across various museums! There are lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 painted on the sides of the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― to represent the different plants that grew along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί! The legs on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 are actually restored! 

FUN FACT: did you know that most blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ have broken feet because they were broken on purpose so the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― would not be a threat to the deceased person it was buried with? 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouche of Akhenaten

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!Β 

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Birth Name cartouche of pharaoh Akhenaten on display at the Vatican Museum

Now, calling this his β€œbirth name” cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is a little misleading because Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– birth name wasn’t actually β€œAkhenaten!” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born was Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€, and since he was the fourth pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 with that name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, Egyptologists have called him β€œAmenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€.” 

Why did Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– change his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign? The change in name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reflects the religious revolution that was happening at the time. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is famous for disrupting the entire Egyptian religious tradition and changing it from a polytheistic worship of the traditional pantheon to a monotheistic worship of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

Let’s break down the meaning of Akhenaten’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten 

π“…œπ“ – Spirit

π“ˆ– – Of

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Cartouche of Akhenaten with the meaning of the hieroglyphs written next to the symbols.

So all together, the name β€œAkhenaten” translates to β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

One of the greatest things about reading cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ is that practicing with them will allow you to begin to understand hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ much more easily! The names of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻 contain many common symbols, words, and phrases in Middle Egyptian! One of the ways I started learning was by reading the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ!

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

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Rosetta Stone

Happy (late) Anniversary to the deciphering of Egyptian Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Seeing the Rosetta Stone in person was a dream come true for me! When I saw the Rosetta Stone all I could thing was β€œthis rock is the reason I can read hieroglyphs” and I was just in awe.Β 

The Rosetta Stone
My sister and I with the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum!

Jean-FranΓ§ois Champollion was just a teenager in September 1822 when he began to decipher hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ based off of the Rosetta Stone!

The Rosetta Stone is actually a decree issued by priests π“ŠΉπ“›π“ͺ in 196 B.C.E. that affirmed the cult of Ptolemy V π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄. Identical decrees were supposed to be placed in every temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

During the Christian period in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the use of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ began to wane and finally disappeared at the beginning of the 4th Century. The Rosetta Stone contains three 𓏼 languages 𓂋𓏦: Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, Greek and Demotic. Since Greek was a known language 𓂋𓏺, scholars began to try to use the Greek section of the Rosetta Stone to translate the portion in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. 

Thomas Young was the first person to show that the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in the cartouche (π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄) actually spelled out β€œPtolemy,” however, Champollion gets the credit for deciphering hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because he showed that the phonetic symbols were also used for Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ and not just foreign names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦. With his extensive knowledge of Coptic, Champollion was able to begin reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ more fully!Β 

The Rosetta Stone
My sister and I with the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum

I am thankful for the early works of scholars like Champollion because I would not be reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ without it! The work that these people did to further the understanding of the Egyptian language, and thus the civilization as a whole is nothing short of incredible! 

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

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Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“A Voice Offering” Hieroglyphic Symbol

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the word/phrase “A Voice Offering β€œπ“‰“.”

A Voice Offering
The composite hieroglyph symbol for “A Voice Offering” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

𓉓 is classified as a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ. A composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is a single hieroglyphic symbol that is actually a combination of multiple symbols! The individual symbols do not lose their phonetic meaning when they become the composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ, instead they combine to just make a multi-consonant symbol! Composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ can be phonograms, ideograms, or determinatives too!Β 

While a lot of the composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are combinations of two 𓏻 symbols, β€œπ“‰“β€ is actually a combination of four 𓏽 symbols! I like to think of composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as a math equation: 

𓉓 = 𓉐 + π“Š€ + 𓏑 + π“Š

Here is the modern name, (and sound value in parentheses) designated to each of the symbols that are part of 𓉓:

𓉐 – House Plan (pr) 

π“Š€ – Oar (αΈ«rw)

𓏑 – Bread (t)

π“Š – Beer Jug (usually a determinative like in this case, but can be hnw on occasion) 

𓉓 would be pronounced like β€œprt-αΈ«rw.” 

A Voice Offering
Another example of the phrase “A Voice Offering” from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus on display at the MET.

In terms of meaning, β€œπ“‰“β€ is classified as an ideogram (a single symbol that takes on the meaning of a full word) for the phrase β€œinvocation offering” or β€œvoice offering” and is a part of the standard offering formula that is seen on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, false doors, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ/coffins π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±π“¦ and other funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­.Β 

You can read my full translation for the sarcophagus pictured above here. You can also watch the video of the translation here!

Why are bread 𓏑 and beer π“Š highlighted in such a popular inscription that persisted for thousands of years? Bread 𓏑 and beer π“Š were pretty much the staples of the ancient Egyptian diet and they needed enough food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ in the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 too! 

𓉓 Is definitely a great symbol to recognize because it is very common and part of a very common inscription. The pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 in this post are both from Middle Kingdom sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ at the MET. 

These are my personal photographs and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 4

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 4 of my Hieroglyphic Vocabulary Word of the Day stories from Instagram all compiled into a video! This week we focused on some of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 whose names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ you will commonly see in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯!Β 

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary Week 4 Video on YouTube!

Here are the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ we learned this week: 

  1. Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 (Hatshepsut Throne Name)
  2. Hatshepsut (Foremost of the Noble Women) π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (Birth Name)
  3. Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 (Thutmosis III Throne Name)
  4. Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (Throne Name)
  5. Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ (Birth Name)
  6. Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (Throne Name)
  7. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (Birth Name Variant)

Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! Learning how to read the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 in their cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ is a great place to start because not only do their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear frequently, but it’s a great way to practice the meaning of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β 

You can also watch the video on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 4 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! This week we focused on some of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 whose names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ you will commonly see in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! Here are the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ we learned this week: 1. Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 (Hatshepsut Throne Name) 2. Hatshepsut (Foremost of the Noble Women) π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (Birth Name) 3. Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 (Thutmosis III Throne Name) 4. Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (Throne Name) 5. Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ (Birth Name) 6. Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (Throne Name) 7. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (Birth Name Variant) Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! Learning how to read the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 in their cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ is a great place to start because not only do their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear frequently, but it’s a great way to practice the meaning of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #languagelearning #egypt #pharaoh

♬ Star Wars (Epic Main Theme) – Samuel Kim

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Video

Cow, Beautiful Woman, or Both? – Video

Did you know that the word for β€œcow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒” and β€œbeautiful woman 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐” are the same in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/the Middle Egyptian language? Well now you do! This is one of my absolute favorite β€œfun facts” about hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and it has been since I was a little girl!

Cow and Beautiful Woman hieroglyphs video on YouTube!

The root of both of these words is β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ which would probably be pronounced like β€œnefer.” This word could mean perfect, beautiful, or good in Middle Egyptian! Adding the β€œπ“β€ to the end of the word makes it feminine, and then the determinative symbol distinguishes the meaning! So β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“β€ could also mean a beautiful woman or beautiful/perfect! 

Both β€œcow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒” and β€œbeautiful woman 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐” would have probably been pronounced like β€œneferet” due to the addition of the uniliteral phonogram of β€œπ“β€ which would have been pronounced like a β€œt.” In order to make words pronounceable in modern times, a lot of Egyptologists/linguists will add a soft β€œe” sound in between the consonants!Β Β 

I love learning little things like this about the culture of ancient Egypt! It’s incredible what a language can tell us!

You can also watch the video on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

Did you know that the word for β€œcow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒” and β€œbeautiful woman 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐” are the same in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/the Middle Egyptian language? Well now you do! This is one of my absolute favorite β€œfun facts” about hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and it has been since I was a little girl! The root of both of these words is β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ which would probably be pronounced like β€œnefer.” This word could mean perfect, beautiful, or good in Middle Egyptian! Adding the β€œπ“β€ to the end of the word makes it feminine, and then the determinative symbol distinguishes the meaning! So β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“β€ could also mean a beautiful woman or beautiful/perfect! Both β€œcow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒” and β€œbeautiful woman 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐” would have probably been pronounced like β€œneferet” due to the addition of the uniliteral phonogram of β€œπ“β€ which would have been pronounced like a β€œt.” In order to make words pronounceable in modern times, a lot of Egyptologists/linguists will add a soft β€œe” sound in between the consonants! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #languagelearning #egypt #hathor #metropolitanmuseumofart #historytok

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Ramessu Mery Amun

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 many cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–! This time, we are going to look at his birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, which is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that he was given when he was born!Β 

Ramessu Mery Amun
The birth name cartouche of pharaoh Rameses II, Ramessu Mery Amun, on a column at the British museum

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu Mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.” 

Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely! The names of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are written first due to honorific transposition!

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

The β€œfalcon with the sun disc 𓁛” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œRa.” 

The β€œAmun figure 𓁩” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œAmun.” 

The β€œcanal π“ˆ˜β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œmr” and can also be β€œshorthand” for the word β€œmery” which means beloved. 

The β€œthree fox skins π“„Ÿβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sounds β€œms.” 

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

The β€œsedge 𓇓” symbol can be a biliteral phonogram, ideogram (for sedge) and determinative (for king), but here it is representing the sound β€œsw.”

Ramessu Mery Amun
The birth name cartouche of pharaoh Rameses II, Ramessu Mery Amun, on a column at the British museum

Rameses II’s birth name cartouche has many variants and can also be written like this: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Certain symbols can be substituted for each other because π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– and 𓁩 both mean Amun π“œ and 𓇳𓏺 both mean Ra. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Usermaatre Setep En Ra

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 many cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–! This cartouche is his throne name cartouche, which is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– took when he became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

Usermaatre Setep En Ra
The throne name cartouche of Rameses II which reads Usermaatre Setep En Ra on display at the British Museum

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–β€ translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Usermaatre Setep En Ra
The throne name cartouche of Rameses II which reads Usermaatre Setep En Ra on display at the British Museum

Let’s break down each of the symbols:Β 

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, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œhead and neck of jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sounds β€œwsr” which means β€œpowerful” or β€œstrong.” 

The β€œgoddess with a feather 𓁧” symbol is a determinative for β€œMaat” and is also an ideogram for the same. The word β€œMaat” can refer to the goddess or the word β€œJustice.” 

The β€œadze and block of wood 𓍉” symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œstp.”

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

This cartouche is part of the King’s List, which is on display at the British Museum.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Funerary Vessel Painted to Imitate Stone

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a really cool vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that is on display at the Brooklyn Museum! The museum has named this piece β€œInscribed Funerary Vessel Painted to Imitate Stone” and I just love that because it is such a great description of the piece! 

I believe that the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ that this vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ is supposed to be imitating breccia, which is a sedimentary rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ commonly found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and was primarily used for pottery and stoneware during the early dynastic period and Old Kingdom! 

We know that this piece is a funerary vase because of the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is on it! Starting an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ with β€œRevered before *name of god*” is a very common way to begin funerary inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯!Β 

Funerary Vessel Painted to Imitate Stone
Inscribed Funerary Vessel Painted to Imitate Stone on display at the Brooklyn Museum

Let’s take a closer look: 

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Revered 

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“Ήπ“Š©π“€­ – Osiris

π“ƒ‚π“ˆ– – Wab Priest (can also be written as π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— or 𓃂) 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

All together, the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads β€œRevered Before Osiris, the Wab Priest of Amun…” – then I can’t see the rest of it! 

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the Wab Priest π“ƒ‚π“ˆ– was the most common type of priest and they performed the tasks of maintaining the temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ and could be placed in charge of funerals. This was considered to be the lowest class of priests. The Middle Egyptian word, β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›β€ usually referred to the High Priests. 

This piece is dated to the late 18th – early 19th dynasties! 

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