Nebhapetra 𓇳𓎟𓊤

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

“Nebhapetra 𓇳𓎟𓊤” is the throne name for the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Montuhotep II! While Montuhotep 𓏠𓈖𓍿𓅱𓊵𓏏𓊪 is his birth name, Nebhapetra 𓇳𓎟𓊤 is the name he took when he became the pharaoh! 

Let’s look at the individual glyphs!

𓇳 – Ra

𓎟 – “Neb” (nb)

𓊤 – “Hapet” (ḫrw or ḥjpt)

All 𓎟 together his name 𓂋𓈖 means “Possessor of the Oar of Ra.” 

𓇳 – Ra

𓎟 – Possessor

𓊤 – Oar

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 “𓎠 basket” is a biliteral phonogram symbol that has the sound of “nb,” which is inferred to be pronounced like “neb.” The 𓎟 alone can also mean the common words “Lord,” “Possessor,” and “All.” 

The “oar 𓊤” symbol is a triliteral phonogram or an ideogram. As a triliteral it represents the sound “ḫrw,” and as an ideogram for “oar” it represents the sound “ḥjpt” which is the sound used in this case! 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and most importantly, my Nonno!