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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Ushabti Box of Yuya

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

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the ushabti box (and one of the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures) of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό. The purpose of the ushabit box was to store the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person. Since people who could afford it were buried with over 365 ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ needed a place to store them in the tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ so the ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ wouldn’t be all over the place!

Although Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and his wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were not of royal lineage, their daughter 𓅭𓏏 Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— became the β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“,” (queen) of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž .Β 

This part of the 18th Dynasty when when all of the β€œfun” began! Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– grandparents and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ great-parents! Due to their daughter’s 𓅭𓏏 status, Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were given an elaborate burial in the area that is now known as the Valley of the Kings (KV46). 

This ushabti box is made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 that has been beautifully 𓄀𓆑𓂋 painted π“žπ“œ and inscribed π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

The ushabti box (back) and ushabti figure (front) of Yuya at the MET
The ushabti box (back) and ushabti figure (front) of Yuya at the MET

Let’s take a closer look at the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on the ushabti box!Β 

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated

𓐍𓂋 – Before 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽΏπ“‡Œ – Favored One/Praised One

π“ˆ– – of

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Perfect God 

π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό – Yuya 

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear on this ushabti box are very typical of funerary inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that appear on many different kinds of funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ throughout Egyptian history.

This ushabti box is from the 18th Dynasty and is dated to c. 1390–1352 B.C.E. The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 also belongs to Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό!Β The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is inscribed with the “Shabti Spell,” which is the magic spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› which makes the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure come alive to perform a specific task for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in the Afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Pharaoh Rameses II

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 and the birth name cartouches 𓍷𓍷𓍷 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II! The cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are written on a blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό cup π“ŽΊπ“! Cups π“ŽΊπ“π“¦ such as these, which were inscribed with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, were commonly found in foundation deposits of building projects that had been commissioned by that particular pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. These types of cups π“ŽΊπ“π“¦ were usually not owned or used by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 despite his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– being on it!Β 

The Cartouches of Pharaoh Rameses II

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start with the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the left! This is the throne name of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, which is preceded by the normal royal title!Β 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

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 (Mast)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Now let’s look at the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the birth name of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ which is also preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“ˆπ“₯ – Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun

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.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

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

Both of the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are sitting on top of the hieroglyphic symbol for β€œgold π“‹ž.” The pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was associated with gold because the skin of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ were thought to be made of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰. Since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was a god π“ŠΉ on Earth, it makes sense that he would be considered to be golden!

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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

The Deities Maat and Osiris-Iah

These two 𓏻 bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ pieces at the Petrie Museum are both such nice representations of Egyptian deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! Bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were popular during the later period of Egyptian history, and there are so many of them for two 𓏻 reasons! The first 𓏃 is that bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ preserves really well so the pieces aren’t as subject to breakdown and the second is because bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ pieces were mass produced! Both of these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to the 26th Dynasty.Β 

Osiris-Iah (left) and Maat (right)

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 at the forefront of the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦. Not only was Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„, fact, law, order and justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ, β€œmaat” was also a concept and a way of life in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ was also the balance and order in the whole universe. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ is usually shown as a woman with a feather 𓆄 on her head.Β  Her most important role was in the judgement of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

Some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ fun! The words for β€œMaat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦,” β€œtruth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„,” andΒ β€œjustice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œβ€ are super similar!Β 

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the back of the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the combination god π“ŠΉ Osiris-Iah. I know the description says β€œOsiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­,” but the crown on the head of the deity π“ŠΉ, which shows the moon and a crescent underneath, leads me to believe this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is Osiris-Iah. 

While Iah π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή is the god π“ŠΉ of the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή, he seems to be the adult version of the god π“ŠΉ Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―(another lunar god π“ŠΉ), and over time seemed to take over the lunar aspect of Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭. So why was Iah π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή assimilated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? This is most likely due to the monthly lunar cycle, which seems to follow a birth π“„Ÿ – death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 – rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± cycle. This cycle was the backbone to the Egyptian religion, and was always linked back to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

Some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ fun! The words for the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œIah” and β€œmoon” are the same – π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή!Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Limestone Relief of Hathor as a Cow

This little limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief of Hathor 𓉑 as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 at the Louvre is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and simple but I love it! One of the reasons I love Hathor 𓉑 so much is because I love cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 – not only they adorable, even today they are a life source for humans!Β 

Hathor as a cow, with her characteristic crown on her head!

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were venerated π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ and thought of as divine π“ŠΉ long before 7000 B.C.E. – which is when archaeologists believe the domestication of cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 took place. Some historians think that the reverence for cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 in ancient Egypt started during the Neolithic times, and since cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were so vital to culture and life π“‹Ή, their importance persisted in the forms of early goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ such as Hathor 𓉑, Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­. Cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 gave milk, and thus life, just like women 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ, hence why they were so revered π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ! 

Hathor 𓉑 can be easily recognized in Egyptian art because she will either be represented as a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒, or as a beautiful woman with a solar disc 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹ as her crown. Even when she is in cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 form, Hathor 𓉑 will have her characteristic crown on her head, as seen in this relief! As Egyptian religion evolved, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ adopted this same crown, so it is difficult to tell them apart in later period art – that is where hieroglyphs come in handy π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Even in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, the words for cow and beautiful are linked – look below at how similar β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful” are – even β€œcow” and β€œbeautiful woman” are the same word – only the determinative different so it would have been pronounced the same! I think this connection to language just demonstrates how important cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were to the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 – Cow

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓁐 – Beautiful Woman

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – Beautiful

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this particular relief are cut off, but β€œπ“ŽŸπ“β€ is the word for all, or Lady/Mistress!Β 

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Blog

Scribal Palette

School supplies in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– definitely look a little bit different than what my students and I use every day π“ŽŸπ“‡³! This piece is a scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž which we’re used by scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ held an important place in ancient Egyptian society because they were the few that were literate! While scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ are famous for their work in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ and temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ they had other exciting responsibilities as well – such as recording taxes. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ were also the only profession that we’re not drafted into the army because they were that important to the functioning of Egyptian society!Β 

A scribal palette

A typical scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž was usually in a long rectangular shape made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺. In some cases, the palettes π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“‚§π“žπ“ͺ were made of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ. At one end, there were indented circles to hold the black π“†Žπ“…“ and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ ink that the scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ used to write, and the other end had a place for them to hold the reeds 𓇋𓇋𓇋/sticks that they used to write with! The jars that you see in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are water jars π“Ž›π“ŽΏπ“‹΄π“π“Œπ“¦ that the scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ used to use to clean off their reeds 𓇋𓇋𓇋 while switching between inks while writing! 

While this particular scribal palette is π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž dated to the Second Intermediate Period – New Kingdom (c. 1635–1458 B.C.E), there are also examples at the MET from the Middle Kingdom that look extremely similar to this one! Through time, the style of the scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž hasn’t changed at all! 

There are two 𓏻 ways to write β€œscribal palette” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž and π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“‚§π“ž! Both would have sounds like β€œmnhD” since both β€œπ“†“β€ and β€œπ“‚§β€ are phonograms with a hard β€œd” sound like in the name β€œDjoser.” 

There were also many different types of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and their roles were usually designated by titles written on funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! 

π“ž – Scribe

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

π“žπ“Žπ“› – Scribe of Accounts 

π“žπ“ŠΉπ“‰—π“π“‰ – Scribe of the Temple

π“žπ“Ž˜π“Ž›π“²π“‹π“« – Scribe of the Offering Table

π“žπ“‰’ – Scribe of the Treasury

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Pharaoh Narmer or Khufu?

Which pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is this – Narmer 𓆒𓍋 or Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱?Β  We will probably never know!!Β  This is both the best and most frustrating part about Egyptology sometimes – it’s the mystery and the β€œnot knowing.” 

Is this Pharaoh Narmer or Khufu? We will probably never know!

The awkward photography aside (I have never claimed to be good at photography, just hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ), this is a very fascinating statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 at the Petrie Museum in London! Petrie thought this head of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 represented Narmer 𓆒𓍋, while Egyptologists today believe that it depicts Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱. 

Narmer 𓆒𓍋, also referred to as his throne name Menes π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹, was the first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of a united Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and the founder of the First Dynasty. His rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ began around 2900 B.C.E., which was when Upper 𓇓 and Lower Egypt 𓆀 were united into one kingdom. The β€œNarmer Palette” is the most famous depiction of this pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 as not much art has survived from so long ago. The name β€œMenes π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹β€ means β€œHe Who Endures,” which is very fitting for Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the Fourth Dynasty, and is most well known for commissioning the construction of what is now known as the β€œGreat Pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴 of Giza.” This is the only aspect of Khufu’s 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ that has been documented – we actually don’t know much about him! Only one small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 has been found to date, so it would be pretty cool if this was actually Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 means β€œHe Protects Me.” 

I actually have no idea who this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is meant to depict – it could honestly be either pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Who do you think is shown here – Narmer 𓆒𓍋 or Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱? Β 

Categories
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—! 

Categories
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

Categories
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