How did the Egyptians forget Hieroglyphs?

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating history of Egyptian hieroglyphs, exploring their origins, evolution, and eventual decline. From their creation in the 33rd century BC to their final inscriptions at the Temple of Isis in AD 394, the script was integral to religious and funerary life in Egypt. The video highlights the impact of Roman rule on Egypt's temples and the loss of expertise in reading hieroglyphs. As Christianity spread and pagan temples were closed, the mysteries of hieroglyphs faded, leaving them as enigmatic symbols of ancient wisdom. The video also touches on the significance of these inscriptions in the broader context of history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hieroglyphs were used in ancient Egypt primarily in religious and funerary contexts, and their final inscription dates to AD 394.
• 😀 Egyptian hieroglyphs evolved over two and a half millennia, starting around the 33rd century BC, and continued until the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
• 😀 Chinese characters are the only writing system still in use today that approaches the longevity of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
• 😀 By the Roman era, the number of hieroglyphic signs had increased significantly, and the script had evolved into more phonetic forms.
• 😀 Temples in Roman Egypt, such as those at Esna and Philae, contained the majority of hieroglyphic texts, including hymns, myths, and festival rituals.
• 😀 Roman emperors were patrons of temples, supporting major construction projects and appearing in temple reliefs as pharaohs performing ancient rituals.
• 😀 Despite strong popular devotion, the temples' economic power declined under Roman rule, and most of their estates were confiscated.
• 😀 The decline of the temples in the third and fourth centuries led to the loss of knowledge and use of hieroglyphs, as fewer people were trained to read them.
• 😀 During the early imperial era, hieroglyphic expertise became rare, and by the time of the fifth century, most people in Egypt had lost the ability to read the script.
• 😀 The last known hieroglyphic inscriptions were defaced sometime in late antiquity, and by then, the script had mostly lost its significance.
• 😀 Despite interest in hieroglyphs from Romans like Hadrian and Plutarch, no known Greek or Roman author claimed the ability to read them, leading to widespread misinterpretation of the script.

Q & A

What is significant about the hieroglyphic inscription at the Temple of Isis at Philae?

The inscription at the Temple of Isis at Philae is the last known hieroglyphic inscription, dated to August 24, AD 394. It mentions Mandulis, son of Horus, and was written by Nesmeterakhem, the Second Priest of Isis, marking the final use of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

How long did Egyptian hieroglyphs survive?

Egyptian hieroglyphs survived for over two millennia, from their probable origins in the 33rd century BC until the final use of the script in the late 4th century AD, marking the end of their active use in the Western Roman Empire.

What was the primary use of Egyptian hieroglyphs?

Egyptian hieroglyphs were primarily used in religious and funerary contexts. They were designed to be monumental and eternal, with each sign serving as a work of art, often inscribed in temples, tombs, and monuments.

How did the number and complexity of hieroglyphic signs change over time?

Over time, the number of hieroglyphic signs increased significantly. By the Roman era, the number had grown from about 750 to several thousand, with signs being used in more phonetic ways and increasingly elaborate forms.

What role did the Romans play in the use of hieroglyphs in Egypt?

Under Roman rule, hieroglyphs continued to be used in temples, with emperors such as Domitian and Hadrian commissioning obelisks inscribed with hieroglyphs. However, the Roman state increasingly brought temples under government control, diminishing the autonomy of priests and their ability to maintain traditional practices.

How did the decline of the temples impact the use of hieroglyphs?

As the temples declined, especially during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, fewer priests remained who could read and write hieroglyphs. This led to the gradual disappearance of the knowledge needed to interpret and use the script, contributing to its eventual obscurity.

What is the significance of the Bembine Tablet in relation to hieroglyphs?

The Bembine Tablet, probably made for a Temple of Isis in Rome, is an example of how hieroglyphs were misunderstood by Romans. It featured symbols that were only distantly related to actual hieroglyphs, reflecting the confusion surrounding the script in the Roman period.

What role did Greek and Roman scholars play in the study of hieroglyphs?

While many Romans were fascinated by hieroglyphs, no Greek or Roman author was known to have been able to read them. Some, like Plutarch and Chaeremon of Alexandria, showed interest in the meanings of certain signs, but the deeper understanding of the script was lost during this period.

Who was Horapollo, and what was his contribution to the study of hieroglyphs?

Horapollo was an Egyptian priest who wrote a work called 'Hieroglyphica' in the 5th century AD. While he knew the meanings of some signs, his interpretations were often incorrect, and his work did not fully explain how hieroglyphs could be combined into coherent sentences.

How did the temples of Roman Egypt compare in power to those of the pharaonic period?

The temples of Roman Egypt were significantly weaker than during the pharaonic period. The Ptolemaic kings had granted temples financial and administrative autonomy, but under Roman rule, the temples lost much of their wealth and land as the state took control of their assets.