The Greek Community of Melbourne presents an open lecture as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars series, titled ‘The Role of Greek in the Decipherment of Egyptian Hieroglyphs’ on Thursday, June 8, at the Greek Centre.
Dr Andrew Connor, a lecturer in ancient history at Monash University’s Centre for Ancient Cultures, will open the world of Egyptian hieroglyphs while uncovering the influence of the Greek language.
Renowned for his expertise in ancient history, Dr Connor’s intimidating knowledge encompasses the history and archaeology of Classical Greece, the Hellenistic world, and the Roman Empire as well as ancient Greek and Latin .
His research focuses on society, religion, and the economy in Egypt during Ptolemaic and Roman rule, with a special emphasis on studying Greek-documents preserved on papyrus. His latest publication, ‘Confiscation or Coexistence: Egyptian Temples in the Age of Augustus’ published by the University of Michigan Press, has garnered significant acclaim.
During the lecture, Dr Connor will delve into the monumental breakthrough of deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, a triumph that forever transformed the study of ancient Egypt, thanks to the collaborative efforts of scholars from Egypt, France, the United Kingdom, and other nations.
He will focus on the work of French Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion, who occupies a prominent role in the decipherment, wherein the interplay between the Greek language and historical context played a pivotal role.
Focusing on the Rosetta Stone, the lecture will illuminate the motivations behind its creation, the symbolism, its journey to the British Museum, and the indispensable role played by the Greek inscription in Champollion’s remarkable achievements.
This discussion will include ancient and modern narratives, and an attempt to unravel the intricate web of how Greeks aided Macedonian monarchs, Egyptian priests, and 19th-century scholars in comprehending the complexities of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean.
When: Thursday, June 8, at 7pm
Where: Greek Centre, Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
