hieroglyph

(noun)

An element of an Egyptian writing system.

Examples of hieroglyph in the following topics:

  • The Book of the Dead

    • For instance, Pyramid Texts were written in an unusual hieroglyphic style, were exclusive to those of royal privilege, and saw the afterlife as being in the sky.
    • The Book of the Dead, in contrast, was painted on expensive papyrus, written in cursive hieroglyph, and saw the afterlife as being part of the underworld.
    • Later in the Third Intermediate Period, the Book of the Dead started to appear in hieratic script as well as in the traditional hieroglyphics.
    • The hieroglyphs were in columns separated by black lines, and illustrations were put in frames above, below, or between the columns of text.
    • During the New Kingdom, the Book of the Dead was typically written in cursive hieroglyphs.

  • The Nile River

    • In the ancient Egyptian language, the Nile is called Ḥ'pī or Iteru, meaning "great river," represented by these hieroglyphs.

  • Art of the Bronze Age

    • According to archaeological evidence, cultures in Egypt (hieroglyphs), the Near East (cuneiform), and the Mediterranean, with the Mycenaean culture (Linear B), had viable writing systems.
    • The illustrations and proportions of their human figures were developed; and Egyptian imagery, symbolism, and basic hieroglyphic writing were created.
    • The Narmer Palette, named after Egyptian King Narmer, is a significant Egyptian archeological find, dating from about the 3,100 BCE, containing some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found.

  • Tutankhamun and Ramses II

    • His cartouches - hieroglyphs depicting his royal name - are prominently displayed on marker stones, statues, remains of palaces and temples, and even in buildings that he did not actually construct.
    • Tutankhamun's burial chamber contained beautiful works of art, text and hieroglyphics.

  • Sculpture of the Early Dynastic Period

    • The hieroglyphs to the left of each man's head respectively represent a walled city and the name of a defeated town.
    • In later hieroglyphics, the bull with the bowed head would symbolize force.

  • Alexander's Empire

    • Name of Alexander the Great in Egyptian hieroglyphs (written from right to left), c. 330 BCE, Egypt; Louvre Museum.

  • The Decline of Ancient Egypt

    • Egyptians continued to speak their language, but the ability to read hieroglyphics disappeared as temple priests diminished.

  • Stelae of the Middle Kingdom

    • Funerary stelae were usually inscribed with the name and title of the deceased, along with images or hieroglyphs.

  • The Classic Period of the Maya

    • They created a multitude of kingdoms and small empires, built monumental palaces and temples, engaged in highly developed ceremonies, and developed an elaborate hieroglyphic writing system.
    • Other important archaeological remains include the carved stone slabs usually called stelae (the Maya called them tetun, or "tree-stones"), which depict rulers along with hieroglyphic texts describing their genealogy, military victories, and other accomplishments.

  • Nubia

    • In the Napatan period, Egyptian hieroglyphs were used; at this time writing seems to have been restricted to the court and temples.
    • This was an alphabetic script with twenty-three signs used in a hieroglyphic form (mainly on monumental art) and in a cursive form.