Tag: hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Royal Inscription of Amenemhat I

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–Β has all words on it that I have taught already!! See if you can read it before looking at the translation!!Β Since the directional hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the right, we are going to start reading from the right! Also, hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺΒ are always read starting at the top line of symbols!Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ – Amenemhat I (Birth Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

𓇳𓏇- Like Ra 

𓆖 – (For) Eternity

Now, this relief is only partial because some of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are cut off, but based on the symbols that remain, and the formulaic way that royal titulary was always written, I have a pretty good idea what the line above the cartouche says! Let’s take a look: 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

Now, before people come at me (it happens every time) for the translation of β€œ π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great God,” yes, β€œπ“„€β€ can be translated to β€œgreat,” β€œbeautiful” and β€œperfect.” Much like in English (and I’m sure all other languages) in Middle Egyptian, words can have multiple meanings/translations!!! Also, there can be two different words that mean the same thing – β€œπ“‰» / 𓉼” can also be translated to β€œgreat” – just like in the word for β€œpharaoh π“‰π“‰»,” which literally translates to β€œGreat House.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Amenemhat I at the MET

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

Today we are going to look at an inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–Β that is on a relief at the MET! I chose this one because this relief shows the cartouches of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 I haven’t spoken about much – Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“!Β 

Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ was the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 12th Dynasty (c. 1939-1910 B.C.E.). He was of non-royal birth, and it is unknown how he acquired the throne. It is possible that he was the sameΒ AmenemhatΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ that was the vizier 𓅷𓏏𓏺𓀀 to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Mentuhotep IVΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“ŠͺΒ and then took the throne after Mentuhotep IV’sΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“ŠͺΒ death 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Since the directional hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the right, we are going to start reading from the right! Once again, some of these words (especially the titles) I have taught before and you may recognize! 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ – Amenemhat (Birth Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt or He of the Sedge and the Bee

π“‡³π“‹΄π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“„£ – Sehotepibra (Throne Name)

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenemhat π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓅓𓄂𓏏 translates to β€œAmun is in the Front” -let’s break this down too:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“…“ – in 

𓄂𓏏 – Front/Foremost

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Words Spoken by Osiris”

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to combine two words/phrases we have already learned! Here we see an inscription with the symbols β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.” This translates to β€œWords spoken by π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– OsirisΒ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.β€Β π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“ in inscriptions!Β 

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a uniliteral phonogram, so it is a symbol that 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 sound β€œmdw.”

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

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€œeye 𓁹” is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œjr.” The β€œeye 𓁹” can also function as an ideogram for β€œeye 𓁹𓏺” and also as a determinative. 

The β€œπ“Š¨ seat” is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œst.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the words seat/place. 

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Thutmosis III – Menkheperra

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at one of the many cartouches of Thutmosis III!Β 

Like many pharaohs, Thutmosis III had many different cartouches, and then different variants of those cartouches! Today we are going to be looking more closely at the cartouche of his Throne Name: π“‡³π“ π“†£. This is a great cartouche to be able to recognize, because I see it more than his birth name cartouche! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

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€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle π“π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

So all together, the Throne Name cartouche of Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£ would be pronounced like β€œMenkheperra.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Gods” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to look at the word for β€œGods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ.” Just for some review, this is the word for β€œGod π“ŠΉ.” 

The β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol is an ideogram for the word god. π“ŠΉ is also a triliteral phonogram, and represents the letters β€œntr” which may have been pronounced like β€œneter.” π“ŠΉ Is also a determinative for β€œgod.” So the β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol can function as all three types of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. If you see this symbol, you are most likely looking at a word that has to do with the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ!

Gods can be written as π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ or π“ŠΉπ“ͺ, and the word that was used depended on the amount of space that was available! 

Fun fact: in ancient Egyptian culture, a couple (husband and wife) was still considered to be singular even though they are two 𓏻 people – that is why the Egyptians use 𓏦, π“ͺ, or repeating the symbol three 𓏼 times to pluralize words! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, two 𓏻 was singular, and three 𓏼 was plural! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to look at the word for β€œEternity – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›.” Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› was a concept central to ancient Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religion and culture. 

There are two common ways to write β€œEternity” – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and 𓆖. The words for eternity (𓆖 & π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›) appear frequently in so many inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ – if you can recognize the words, you will be able to pick them out in any museum you visit! 

In a previous post I spoke about β€œπ“†–,” so today we are going to focus on β€œπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›.”

The symbol β€œπ“Ž› – wick” is a uniliteral phonogram which means that it only represents one sound. The sound that it represents is β€œαΈ₯.” 

The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” is usually seen as an ideogram for β€œRa.” The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” can also be a determinative for sun, day, and time.

Since β€œeternity” is technically a measure of time, the proper way to write the word for eternity would be β€œπ“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³,” with the sun disc acting as the determinative. However, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› is more aesthetically pleasing, so that is how the word is written. Technically, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› would be pronounced like β€œαΈ₯αΈ₯.” 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Anubis – drawing, hieroglyph or both?

This is another closeup image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 from Imhotep’s π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Book of the Dead (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET. While this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is not part of an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, this is my favorite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ; Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 on top of a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰!Β 

As many of you know, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ and he always has been! I get so excited whenever I see Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in any form of Egyptian art! 

There are two 𓏻 variations of this particular hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ: 𓃣 and 𓃀. Both can be used pretty much interchangeably and it was mostly style/aesthetics that determined which one was used in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. 

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 can be written a bunch of different ways in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 or π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃀

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 or π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃀

𓃣 or 𓃀

𓁒

Once again, style/aesthetics determined which variation was used in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. This is not all of the variations of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, but the ones you will see the most! 

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is commonly associated with shrines, because he is a god π“ŠΉ that is associated with themes surrounding death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 (mummification, places of burial). 

While the word in Middle Egyptian for shrine is π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰, shrines associated with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 had their own word! A shrine associated with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was called π“‰±π“ŠΉ, or the β€œGod’s Booth.” 

One of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles that commonly appears after his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is: π“…π“ŠΉπ“‰± or β€œIn front at the God’s Booth.” 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Large Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

Here is a β€œLarge Seated Statue of Hatshepsut” that is dated to the early 18th Dynasty (c.Β 1479–1458 B.C.E.), and most likely the joint reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣.Β 

Even though Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is β€œportraying herself as a male” (as described by some historians), she is actually portraying herself as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Paint can still be seen on the Broad Collar

She is wearing the nemes headdressΒ π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄Β and a broad collarΒ π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹Β (necklace worn by royalty/the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ). Some of the paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is actually still visible on the broad collarΒ π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹! The face on this statue is completely destroyed, and this was definitely done on purpose.Β 

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

𓅭𓏏𓇳 – Daughter of Ra

π“ˆ–π“π“„‘π“π“†‘ – Bodily/Of Her Body

(π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ) – Hatshepsut’s cartouche (birth name)

π“Œ»π“‡Œ – Beloved

𓋹𓏏𓆖 – She Live Forever

Put together, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– reads: β€œBodily daughter of Ra, Hatshepsut, beloved, May She Live Forever.” Some of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is missing, so this is what I could see! 

Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is very much referring to herself as a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ – it’s in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! If she called herself the β€œSon of Ra” the inscription would look like β€œπ“…­π“‡³β€ instead of β€œπ“…­π“π“‡³. ” The word for β€œbodily π“ˆ–π“π“„‘π“π“†‘β€ is also feminized, and would be written as β€œπ“ˆ–π“π“„‘π“†‘β€ if it was referencing a male.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Colorful Hieroglyphs

Just some beautifully π“„€ painted hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the Brooklyn Museum to brighten your day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳! On the right side, you can even make out the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ for Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!

The rest of it is unreadable because it’s incomplete. I just love this relief because of the bright colors – it really stood out in the galleries because of the paint. It’s amazing how the paint still looks so beautiful π“„€ even after thousands of years!

My first thought when I saw this was β€œ 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” or β€œhow beautiful this is.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Isis” in Hieroglyphs

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

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).Β 

This is a variant of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“Ί in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! More commonly, her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written as β€œ π“Š¨π“π“₯,” and the difference between the two is the determinative at the end. Why was the determinative not used in this inscription? Most likely due to spacing issues! 

The β€œseat π“Š¨β€ symbol has many different functions in Middle Egyptian! In the case of the name β€œIsis π“Š¨π“π“Ί,” the seat functions as a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œjs.” In other words, it can be a phonogram for the sounds β€œst,” and β€œhst.”  π“Š¨ is even an ideogram for the word β€œseat!” 

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€œstroke 𓏺” hieroglyph is used at the end of words when there is a bit of space left over – it’s all for the aesthetic! This symbol is not pronounced, it is solely used for punctuation/aesthetic purposes! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œIsis” is actually the Greek version of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of this goddess π“ŠΉπ“! If we were to pronounce her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– the way the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ did (or inferred how they did), her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would be pronounced like β€œIst π“Š¨π“π“Ί.”