Description
Book Synopsis: In 1799 Napoleon's army uncovered an ancient stele in the Nile delta. Its inscription, recorded in three distinct scripts--ancient Greek, Coptic, and hieroglyphic--would provide scholars with the first clues to unlocking the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphs, a language lost for nearly two millennia. More than twenty years later a remarkably gifted Frenchman named Jean-Francois Champollion successfully deciphered the hieroglyphs on the stele, now commonly known as the Rosetta Stone, sparking a revolution in our knowledge of ancient Egypt.
Cracking the Egyptian Code is the first biography in English of Champollion, widely regarded as the founder of Egyptology. Andrew Robinson meticulously reconstructs how Champollion cracked the code of the hieroglyphic script, describing how Champollion started with Egyptian obelisks in Rome and papyri in European collections, sailed the Nile for a year, studied the tombs in the Valley of the Kings (a name he first coined), and carefully compared the three scripts on the Rosetta Stone to penetrate the mystery of the hieroglyphic text.
Robinson also brings to life the rivalry between Champollion and the English scientist Thomas Young, who claimed credit for launching the decipherment, which Champollion hotly denied. There is much more to Champollion's life than the Rosetta Stone and Robinson gives equal weight to the many roles he played in his tragically brief life, from a teenage professor in Revolutionary France to a supporter of Napoleon (whom he met), an exile, and a curator at the Louvre. Extensively illustrated in color and black-and-white pictures, Cracking the Egyptian Code will appeal to a wide readership interested in Egypt, decipherment and code-breaking, and Napoleon and the French Revolution.
Details
Unlock the secrets of ancient Egypt with Cracking the Egyptian Code: The Revolutionary Life of Jean-Francois Champollion. Napoleon's army stumbled upon the Rosetta Stone in 1799, featuring inscriptions in ancient Greek, Coptic, and hieroglyphic. This groundbreaking book by Andrew Robinson takes you on a journey through Champollion's remarkable life as he successfully deciphered the hieroglyphs, revolutionizing our understanding of ancient Egypt.
With meticulous research and attention to detail, Robinson reconstructs how Champollion cracked the code of the hieroglyphic script. From his study of Egyptian obelisks in Rome to his voyage along the Nile, Champollion's determination and expertise led him to unlock the mysteries of the Rosetta Stone and the hieroglyphic text. This biography showcases Champollion's invaluable contributions to Egyptology, making it an essential read for anyone fascinated by ancient Egypt.
Cracking the Egyptian Code goes beyond the decipherment of hieroglyphs and delves into the fascinating rivalry between Champollion and the English scientist Thomas Young, who also claimed credit for the breakthrough. Robinson explores the intense competition and Champollion's passionate denial, providing an intriguing glimpse into the world of code-breaking and intellectual discovery.
While the Rosetta Stone played a significant role in Champollion's career, this biography highlights the many other achievements and roles he played throughout his tragically short life. From his early days as a teenage professor in Revolutionary France to his encounters with Napoleon and his role as a curator at the Louvre, Champollion's life is a captivating tale of adventure and intellectual pursuit.
Featuring an array of color and black-and-white illustrations, Cracking the Egyptian Code appeals to readers interested in Egypt, decipherment, code-breaking, as well as the captivating era of Napoleon and the French Revolution. Experience the excitement of unlocking history, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary life of Jean-Francois Champollion. Order your copy of Cracking the Egyptian Code today for a thrilling journey into the ancient world.
Order now to discover the untold story of Jean-Francois Champollion and unravel the mysteries of ancient Egypt!
Discover More Best Sellers in Archaeology
Shop Archaeology
$119.99
Archaeology - Strides Towards Standard Methodologies in Aeronautical Archaeology (Contributions To Global Historical Archaeology)
STONEHENGE: The Mysteries of England's Most Sacred Historical Landmark
$12.61
Archaeology - STONEHENGE: The Mysteries of England's Most Sacred Historical Landmark
Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir
$11.99
Archaeology - Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir
The Mythic Past: Biblical Archaeology And The Myth Of Israel
$14.92
Archaeology - The Mythic Past: Biblical Archaeology And The Myth Of Israel
Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun: Hernando de Soto and the South's Ancient Chiefdoms
$17.99
Archaeology - Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun: Hernando de Soto and the South's Ancient Chiefdoms
Omm Sety's Egypt: A Story of Ancient Mysteries, Secret Lives, and the Lost History of the Pharaohs
$22.46
Archaeology - Omm Sety's Egypt: A Story of Ancient Mysteries, Secret Lives, and the Lost History of the Pharaohs
