Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to be looking at the name 𓂋𓈖 “Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣.”

Like many pharaohs, Thutmosis III had many different cartouches, and then different variants of those cartouches!The name 𓂋𓈖 Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is Thutmosis III’s throne name The name 𓂋𓈖 translates to “Lasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Men [mn] (Lasting)

𓆣 – Kheper [ḫpr] (Manifestation)

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

The “𓇳 sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for “ra” or “re,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun, today, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like “ra” or “re.” Re is written first but pronounced last due to “honorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect. 

The “𓏠 game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The “ 𓏠” is associated with the sound “mn” which could be pronounced like “men,” “mun,” “mon,” etc. 

The “scarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The “𓆣” is associated with the sound “ḫpr” which could have been pronounced like “kheper.” The “ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word “scarab beetle 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

This is a great cartouche to be able to recognize, because it is a very common one to see in museums – even more than his birth name! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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