Tag: the met

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Offering Formula

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 most common phrases you will encounter – The Offering Formula! The Offering Formula is found on all different types of funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, and false doors.

The purpose of the Offering Formula was to allow the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to partake in and accept offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦. These offerings could be either the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 making an offering to a god π“ŠΉ (usually Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ or Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣) or the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 accepting offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 directly from family members.Β 

The Offering Formula
The opening phrase of the Offering Formula, “An Offering the King Gives…” in hieroglyphs on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

Here is the beginning phrase of the Offering Formula: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™. This translates to β€œAn Offering the King Gives…”

𓇓 – King 

π“π“Š΅ – Offering (shortened version of π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦)

𓏙 – Gives

Let’s break down each of the hieroglyphic symbols! 

The β€œSedge 𓇓” symbol functions as a biliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œsw.” Most commonly, the symbol is used as an ideogram for the word β€œKing,” which is associated with the sound β€œnswt.”

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€œbread loaf on a mat π“Š΅β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯tp” and is also an ideogram for β€œoffering slab” which is also associated with the sound β€œαΈ₯tp.”

The β€œbread mold 𓏙” symbol is functions as a phonogram for β€œd” or β€œαΈj” and also as β€œrdj” in the word for β€œgive.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amphora with an Ibex Head

This amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with an ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head is so beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋! An amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ is a special type of pottery π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that has a pointed bottom and two 𓏻 handles that was used for the storage and transport of various things in the ancient world! While Greek amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ are the most recognizable, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had their own style too!

Amphora with an Ibex Head
Amphora with an Ibex Head at the MET

Ancient Egyptian amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ, such as this one found at Malqata, were usually made of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and then covered with a cream colored coat. They were then painted π“žπ“œ with blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ, or black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦. This vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ has some pretty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 and other types of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 painted π“žπ“œ on it!!

Amphora with an Ibex Head
A closeup of the Ibex head on the amphora at the MET

The best part about this vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ in my opinion is the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head that is on it! The ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head was not actually found attached to the amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹, but it was found nearby and reattached. You can actually see where it was reattached by the line going across its neck! Also, take a look at how the head of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ is in relation to the body of the animal – the head has a 3D effect which is just too cool! The body of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ is painted on the vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹, while the head/neck of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ kind of β€œjump off” the vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹! So creative!

While historians will refer to this type of pottery as an β€œamphora,” in Middle Egyptian, the standard word β€œmni π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹β€ was used which basically just means pot or pottery! 

This piece is dated to the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (18th Dynasty) and was found at his palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 in Malqata. 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Cartouches of Montuhotep II – Video

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to learn about the Cartouches of Montuhotep II!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to learn about the Cartouches of Montuhotep II! In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, you can see Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ birth name and throne name (both with titles). π“†₯(π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ) – King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Montuhotep II (Birth Name) 𓅭𓇳(π“‡³π“Š€π“ŽŸ) – Son of Ra, Nebhapetra (Throne Name) Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs! 𓇳 – Ra π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb) π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt) Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name/given name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs! π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w) π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p) This raised relief is originally from Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. This relief was part of one of the main areas of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ that was added at the end of Montuhotep’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ reign π“‹Ύ. This dates the relief to c. 2010–2000 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11). This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost without permission. #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #ancientegyptblog #hieroglyphs #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #anticoegitto

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, you can see Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ birth name and throne name (both with titles). 

π“†₯(π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ) – King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Montuhotep II (Birth Name)

𓅭𓇳(π“‡³π“Š€π“ŽŸ) – Son of Ra, Nebhapetra (Throne Name)

Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs!

Cartouches of Montuhotep II
The Throne Name cartouche of the pharaoh Montuhotep II

𓇳 – Ra

π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb)

π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt)

Cartouches of Montuhotep II
The Birth Name cartouche of the pharaoh Montuhotep II

Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name/given name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs!

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w)

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p) 

This raised relief is originally from Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. This relief was part of one of the main areas of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ that was added at the end of Montuhotep’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ reign π“‹Ύ. This dates the relief to c. 2010–2000 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11).

Cartouches of Montuhotep II
Relief of Montuhotep II at the MET. Can you see the Cartouches of Montuhotep II on the full relief?

This is my personal video, photographs, and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Hounds and Jackals Game

The ancient Egyptians loved playing games π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦, and many of examples of ancient games π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦Β  such as senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“  and Mehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†“/π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†— exist both as actual artifacts and as depictions in art!

Hounds and Jackals Game
The Hounds and Jackals Game was named after the Hounds and Jackals that appear on the top of the pegs! This is the most complete version of the game that’s ever been found!

The game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is one that was named β€œHounds and Jackals” by Howard Carter! Carter named the game after the hounds π“Ώπ“Šƒπ“…“π“„›π“ͺ and the jackals π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯𓏦 that are at the tops of the pegs. This particular piece is the only game of β€œHounds and Jackals” that has been found with the pegs! The game has also been referred to as β€œ59 Holes” due to the holes that are on each side of the palm tree!Β 

No one knows the rules to this game, but it is thought to be symbolic of the deceased’s 𓅓𓏏𓏱 journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and that the hounds π“Ώπ“Šƒπ“…“π“„›π“ͺ and the jackals π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯𓏦 were used as pieces because they could be related to Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž and protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Other less-complete versions of this game have been found in other tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦. 

Unlike senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“  and Mehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†“/π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†—, games π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ which seem to have persisted throughout Egyptian history, β€œHounds and Jackals” seems to be a Middle Kingdom exclusive! This piece is made of the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 from a sycamore tree π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­ and ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ. 

This piece was discovered in 1910 by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon – I find this to be so cool because this was about twelve years before they discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! This piece is dated to the Middle Kingdom, reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Amenemhat IV π“‡³π“ŒΆπ“‚π“Š€π“…± (12th Dynasty). 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Ushabti of Thutmosis IV

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼! This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 also shows a shabti coffin! The shabti coffin allowed for the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ to take the place of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in case the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 was destroyed! I like to think of this as a call back to the original β€œwax ushabtis” of the Middle Kingdom, which served the same purpose.Β 

Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 was the eighth pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 18th Dynasty and he was actually not supposed to be pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! His brother π“Œ’π“ˆ– was chosen successor by their father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, but Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 usurped the throne and made himself the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!Β 

Ushabti of Thutmosis IV
A Ushabti of Thutmosis IV (left) and a shabti coffin that also belonged to Thutmosis IV (right) on display at the MET

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!!!Β Let’s take a closer look at the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ:Β 

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 – Menkheperura β€œEstablished Manifestations of Ra” (Throne name of Thutmosis IV)

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

π“Ήπ“Š¨ – Osiris (Osiris’ name is written without the determinative symbol here (π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­))

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š— the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– says: β€œThe Perfect God, Lord of the Two Lands, Menkheperura, True of Voice, Beloved of Osiris.” 

The tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 in the Valley of the Kings was excavated by Theodore Davis and Howard Carter in 1903, which is where these objects were found! Many blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό pieces were found during this excavation! I love how bright the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color still is; it’s really striking in person! 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Words Spoken By” in Hieroglyphs

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

Words Spoken By
A raised relief showing the phrase “Words Spoken By” in hieroglyphs

Here we see an inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with the symbols β€œ π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” This is a really popular introduction to an inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– and it translates to β€œWords spoken by… π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“. 

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it 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€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€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!” 

When put together, π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– reads like β€œαΈd mdw Δ±Ν—n.” The word π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–, means β€œwords spoken by…” or β€œspeech by…”

What are some other words that are related to these? Let’s take a look! 

𓆓𓂧 – Say, Tell, Speak

π“†“π“Œƒ – Recitation 

𓆓𓂧𓏏𓏦 – Sayings

𓆓𓋴 – Self/Own

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the 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 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Menat Necklace

This is a picture of a special type of necklace called a menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§. The menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace is unique because it consists of a keyhole shaped piece and a lot of beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦. The beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 on this menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ are made of blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό and there are some glass π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 near the keyhole piece!Β Blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ is my favorite color, so I really love how blue was such a popular color in ancient Egyptian art!

Menat Necklace
A beautiful example of a menat necklace on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace not only appears a lot in Egyptian art, but it was clearly used by real people too! The menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace was often carried or worn by women during religious ceremonies. Similar to a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, the menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace was shaken like a rattle. The person would hold the keyhole piece and then shake the menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ to create the rattle-like sound!

The sound produced was meant to appease gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ or goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“. Similar to the sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, the menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace was often associated with Hathor 𓉑, who was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ (amongst other fun things).Β Hathor 𓉑 is often seen in art giving the menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ to a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Egyptian art.

This particular menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ necklace was found at Malqata and is dated to the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (c. 1390 – 1352 BCE). In order to celebrate his Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  built a new palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 which was referred to as β€œThe House of Rejoicing” at present day Malqata in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. It would be interesting to know if this menat π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ was specifically used during his Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ!

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

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Video

White Limestone Statue of Hatshepsut – Video

@ancientegyptblog

β€œΓ‰ un capolavoro” – (It) Is a masterpiece! Anyone who has been following me knows that I love nothing more than the white limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ at the MET! Seeing this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the museum gives me so much joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 each time! Yesterday I was teaching my 8th graders about different sedimentary rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and of course I used pictures of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 as an example of what limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ could look like! Hatshepsut’s birth name, π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, and throne name,𓇳𓁦𓂓, both appear on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and take a look at what her names mean! Her birth name – π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun π“ŽΉπ“- United with (Khnemet) 𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat) π“€Όπ“ͺ – Noble Women (Shepsut) So Hatshepsut’s birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” Her throne name – 𓇳𓁦𓂓 𓇳 – Ra 𓁦 – Maat (Truth) π“‚“ – Ka (Soul) So Hatshepsut’s throne name β€œMaatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” (As a side note, β€œCapolavoro” is my favorite song from Sanremo 2024 and @ilvolomusic is one of my absolute favorite groups! I have been listening to their music for longer than ten years and knew I had to use this song with this piece!!) Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #hatshepsut #ilvolo #hieroglyphics #egitto #egyptianhistory #anticoegitto #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #egyptology #ancientegyptblog @ilvolomusic @Ginoble Gianluca

♬ Capolavoro – Il Volo

It’s no secret π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“†Ÿπ“› that the White Limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ Statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is my absolute favorite artifact that has ever been found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! This is the piece that captured my imagination and I’ll never forget the first 𓏃 time I saw this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 with my Nonno! 

Nonno was always so excited to tell me about Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, because she was the most successful female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Her twenty π“Ž†π“Ž† year rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ was marked by big building projects (her mortuary temple 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐), economic prosperity (the expedition to Punt π“Šͺπ“ƒΊπ“ˆ–π“π“ˆ‰) and peace! 

Not only is this White Limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ Statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ just absolutely stunning π“„€, I love the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on it because Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ refers to herself using the female form of words in the inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! These were also some of the first inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ I learned how to read, so they are very special to me! 

White Limestone Statue of Hatshepsut
White Limestone Statue of Hatshepsut at the MET

Check out this post for a more in-depth look at this beautiful π“„€ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! No matter how many times I see it, I am still in awe of its beauty π“„€!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Birthdays in Ancient Egypt

My birthday is soon, so let’s talk about birthdays in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

Birthdays in Ancient Egypt
Me hanging out at the Temple of Dendur at the MET!

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is from my last trip to the MET, when I just got to sit and hang out in one of my absolute favorite places – The Temple of Dendur! The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was actually commissioned by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 (first emperor of Rome) and the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was primarily used to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯.

The ancient Egyptians didn’t celebrate the birthdays of regular people – they celebrated the birthdays of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“! The 365-day calendar which is one of the ancient Egyptians’ long lasting contributions to the world! Egyptian astronomers even adjusted the year to be exactly 365.25 days when their calculations got more accurate! 

The Egyptian calendar consisted of 12 π“Ž†π“» months that were each 30 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† days long. The extra five 𓏾 days left over at the end of the year were festival days – each day dedicated to celebrating the birthday of a different deity π“ŠΉ! 

Day 1 was the Birthday of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­

Day 2 was the Birthday of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­

Day 3 was the Birthday of Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£

Day 4 was the Birthday of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯

Day 5 was the Birthday of Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇

So how do we write β€œbirthday” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ? Let’s use Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ as an example: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“Ž± or π“„Ÿπ“π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“Ž±. 

Let’s break it down: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“/π“„Ÿπ“ is the word for β€œbirth” and both are pronounced β€œmswt.” In the case of  β€œπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“,” this is what we call a β€œphonetic complement” – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!

The β€œalabaster basin π“Ž±β€ symbol is a determinative for β€œfeast” or β€œfestival” but can also be an ideogram for β€œheb” (feast). 

So if I wanted to write out my own birthday, it would look like this: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“―π“ƒ­π“π“Ž±. You can do the same with your own – just replace my name π“‚‹π“ˆ– with your name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

A big thank you 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀒 to the UCL website for the list of the festival days!!Β Check out their website for incredible information about ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

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

Categories
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