The Hieroglyphics of Horapollo by Horapollo Niliacus

The Hieroglyphics of Horapollo by Horapollo Niliacus

Written reputedly by an Egyptian magus, Horapollo Niliacus, in the fourth century C.E., The Hieroglyphics of Horapollo is an anthology of nearly two hundred "hieroglyphics," or allegorical emblems, said to have been used by the Pharaonic scribes in describing natural and moral aspects of the world. Translated into Greek in 1505, it informed much of Western iconography from the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries. This work not only tells how various types of natural phenomena, emotions, virtues, philosophical concepts, and human character-types were symbolized, but also explains why, for example, the universe is represented by a serpent swallowing its tail, filial affection by a stork, education by the heavens dropping dew, and a horoscopist by a person eating an hourglass. In his introduction Boas explores the influence of The Hieroglyphics and the causes behind the rebirth of interest in symbolism in the sixteenth century. The illustrations to this edition were drawn by Albrecht Durer on the verso pages of his copy of a Latin translation.

"Lucid language [and] stimulating and provoking thinking. . are among the merits of this small book that will certainly become an invaluable source for students interested in Renaissance symbolism."—George Mylonas

At the time of his death George Boas was Professor of History at the Johns Hopkins University.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780691000923
ISBN 10	0691000921
Title	The Hieroglyphics of Horapollo
Author	Horapollo Niliacus
Series	Bollingen Series
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Princeton University Press
Year published	1993-12-05
Number of pages	148
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable