История письма и чтения. Асафова Г.К. - 108 стр.

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109

script. The hieroglyphs corresponding to objects that had disappeared from daily

life were therefore no longer well known and were often distorted beyond

recognition. But the style of representation in the hieroglyphs still remained closely

bound to the art of the respective epoch. Thus there appeared taut, slender forms or

sensuous, fleshy ones, or even completely bloated characters, according to the art

style of the period.

Media for hieroglyphic writing

In historical times (2800 BC–AD 300), hieroglyphic writing was used for

inscribing stone monuments and appears in Egyptian relief techniques, both high

relief and bas-relief; in painted form; on metal, sometimes in cast form and

sometimes incised; and on wood. In addition, hieroglyphs appear in the most

varied kinds of metal and wood inlay work. All of these applications correspond

exactly with the techniques used in fine art, and the same craftsmen who produced

the works of art painted or incised the hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Hieroglyphic texts are found primarily on the walls of temples and tombs,

but they also appear on memorials and gravestones, on statues, on coffins, and on

all sorts of vessels and implements. Hieroglyphic writing was used as much for

secular texts–historical inscriptions, songs, legal documents, scientific documents–

as for religious subject matter–cult rituals, myths, hymns, grave inscriptions of all

kinds, and prayers. These inscriptions were, of course, only a decorative

monumental writing, unsuitable for everyday purposes. For popular use, hieratic

script was developed, an abbreviated form of the picture symbols such as would

naturally develop in writing with brush and ink on smooth surfaces like papyrus,

wood, and limestone.

Direction of the writing

The lines of hieroglyphs were written from right to left or, less frequently,

from left to right. Vertical rows of signs could be placed next to horizontal rows,

according to the particular demands of the architectural setting. The direction of