The Myth of Egypt and Its Hieroglyphs in European Tradition (Princeton Paperbacks) Reviews

Throughout the ages the hieroglyphs of the Ancient Egyptians were a treasure-trove for the imaginative creators of European literature, art, religion and philosophy, in both a practical and theoretical sense. This story of 'the myth of Egypt' is conveyed in a lucid fashion.

From the medieval, the Renaissance and the Baroque eras radiated the misconception of allegorical hieroglyphs and of Ancient Egypt being the reserve of ancient mystic knowledge. Ironically it was this very misguided train of thought which created the foundation from which the science of Egyptology would later arise, starting primarily with the decipherment of the hieroglyphs by Jean-François Champollion (the subject of the final chapter).

The author vividly and accurately reconstructs the historical contexts surrounding these events, making it an essential reference for students and academics alike.