Table of Contents
Is Meroitic deciphered?
The script was deciphered in 1909 by Francis Llewellyn Griffith, a British Egyptologist, based on the Meroitic spellings of Egyptian names. However, the Meroitic language itself remains poorly understood.
What script is the Meroitic language written in?
It was written with two scripts: linear, or demotic, script, which was adapted to writing with a stylus and suitable for general records; and hieroglyphic, used mainly for royal or religious inscriptions in stone.
What language did Kushites speak?
Meroitic language
Kingdom of Kush
| Kingdom of Kush Qes (Meroitic) | |
|---|---|
| Common languages | Meroitic language, Nubian languages, Egyptian, Cushitic |
| Religion | Ancient Egyptian Religion |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Monarch |
Where does the word Meroitic come from in English?
The name Meroitic in English dates to 1852 where it occurs as a translation of German Meroitisch. The term derives from Latin Meroē, corresponding to Greek Μερόη. These latter names are representations of the name of the royal city of Meroë of the Kingdom of Kush.
What kind of script was the Meroitic script?
The Meroitic script refers to two alphasyllabaric scripts developed to write the Kushite language at the beginning of the Meroitic Period (3rd century BC) of the Kingdom of Kush. The two scripts are Meroitic Cursive derived of Demotic Egyptian and Meroitic Hieroglyphics derived of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
What kind of writing system did the Meroitic people use?
The Meroitic script consists of two alphasyllabaric scripts developed to write the Meroitic language at the beginning of the Meroitic Period (3rd century BC) of the Kingdom of Kush. The two scripts are Meroitic Cursive derived of Demotic Egyptian and Meroitic Hieroglyphics derived of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
When did the Meroitic alphabet start to be used?
The Meroïtic alphabet was derived from ancient Egyptian writing sometime during the 4th century BC in around 315 BC. A cursive form developed in 185 BC and the alphabet was used until about 440 AD.