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Literary
September 10, 1803
Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
This essay describes ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, where figures of animals, body parts, and objects represented ideas rather than syllables, with examples like a hawk for expedition and a crocodile for malice. It recounts Voltaire's citation from Herodotus of Scythians sending symbolic gifts (bird, mouse, frog, arrows) to invading Darius as a threat.
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HIEROGLYPHICKS.
The Egyptians, who had not the art of printing, used for their words or meaning when they corresponded at a distance, the figures of Beasts and Birds—the parts of the human body, and various instruments, particularly those belonging to Handicrafts, for their writings did not consist of syllables put together, but of figures which related to the things they were to express.
The figure of a hawk, signified expedition—the Crocodile signified malice—the Eye expressed both an observer of justice, and a keeper of any person—the right hand, with the fingers extended, signified any one getting his livelihood—the left hand shut, the preserving and keeping of any thing. Thus every thing was read and understood by figures, which were called by the Egyptians, Hieroglyphicks.
Voltaire gives a curious account of these emblems, which is taken from Herodotus. That Historian observes, that when Darius invaded Scythia, the Scythians sent him a bird, a mouse, a frog, and five arrows. By this present they insinuated, that if he did not fly as swiftly as a bird, or conceal himself like a mouse or a frog, he would perish by their arrows.
The Egyptians, who had not the art of printing, used for their words or meaning when they corresponded at a distance, the figures of Beasts and Birds—the parts of the human body, and various instruments, particularly those belonging to Handicrafts, for their writings did not consist of syllables put together, but of figures which related to the things they were to express.
The figure of a hawk, signified expedition—the Crocodile signified malice—the Eye expressed both an observer of justice, and a keeper of any person—the right hand, with the fingers extended, signified any one getting his livelihood—the left hand shut, the preserving and keeping of any thing. Thus every thing was read and understood by figures, which were called by the Egyptians, Hieroglyphicks.
Voltaire gives a curious account of these emblems, which is taken from Herodotus. That Historian observes, that when Darius invaded Scythia, the Scythians sent him a bird, a mouse, a frog, and five arrows. By this present they insinuated, that if he did not fly as swiftly as a bird, or conceal himself like a mouse or a frog, he would perish by their arrows.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Political
What keywords are associated?
Hieroglyphics
Egyptians
Scythians
Darius
Herodotus
Voltaire
Symbols
Literary Details
Title
Hieroglyphicks.
Key Lines
The Figure Of A Hawk, Signified Expedition—The Crocodile Signified Malice—The Eye Expressed Both An Observer Of Justice, And A Keeper Of Any Person—The Right Hand, With The Fingers Extended, Signified Any One Getting His Livelihood—The Left Hand Shut, The Preserving And Keeping Of Any Thing.
That Historian Observes, That When Darius Invaded Scythia, The Scythians Sent Him A Bird, A Mouse, A Frog, And Five Arrows. By This Present They Insinuated, That If He Did Not Fly As Swiftly As A Bird, Or Conceal Himself Like A Mouse Or A Frog, He Would Perish By Their Arrows.