Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies,
Pennsylvania State University
Ever wanted to read the words carved into a pharaoh's tomb wall in the original script? This course introduces students to Middle Egyptian—the classical language of ancient Egypt used for monumental inscriptions, literature, and religious texts during the Middle and New Kingdoms. Starting from the basics of the hieroglyphic writing system, students progressively master transliteration, core grammar and syntax, and a working vocabulary, using tools like JSesh and the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae along the way.
By the semester's end, students can recognize common signs, parse grammatical structures, and translate genuine Middle Egyptian texts—moving from simple sentences to authentic hieroglyphic passages tied to their historical and cultural context. Weekly composition exercises push students to actively produce the language, not just decode it. No prior background in ancient languages is needed—just curiosity about how the Egyptians spoke, wrote, and preserved their world in stone.