Bill Manley Books

Presents a fresh approach to reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, this introduction assumes no previous knowledge of grammar or ancient languages, but guides readers through the inscriptions, from simple to more complex, supported by full explanations and translations. It explains the mysteries of hieroglyphs without jargon or technical terms.

An insightful volume delving into the enduringly compelling art of ancient Egypt, from a new historical perspective The art and architecture of Egypt during the age of the pharaohs continue to capture the imagination of the modern world. Among the great creative achievements of ancient Egypt are a set of constant forms: archetypes in art and architecture in which the origins of concepts such as authority, divinity, beauty, and meaning are readily discernible. Whether adapted to fine, delicate jewelry or colossal statues, these forms maintain a human face—with human ideas and emotions. These artistic templates, and the ideas they articulated, were refined and reinvented through dozens of centuries, until scenes first created for the earliest kings, around 3000 BCE, were eventually used to represent Roman emperors and the last officials of pre-Christian Egypt. Bill Manley’s account of the art of ancient Egypt draws on the finest works through more than 3,000 years and places celebrated masterpieces, from the Narmer palette to Tutankhamun’s gold mask, in their original contexts in the tombs, temples, and palaces of the pharaohs and their citizens.

This new translation presents a philosophical and practical advice classic from ancient Egypt, The Teaching of Ptahhatp, written four thousand years ago and still relevant today. Bill Manley, a noted author and Egyptologist, translates the oldest surviving philosophical text into accessible modern English, revealing the thirty-seven teachings and twelve conclusions of Ptahhatp, the vizier to Pharaoh Izezi (2390–2350 BCE). Manley’s commentary sheds light on Ptahhatp’s practical philosophy, addressing ambition, fame, confrontation, sex, and wisdom, while offering insights into ancient Egyptian life and society. Despite its significance, this work has been largely overlooked since its rediscovery in the nineteenth century. Manley’s translation rectifies this, making Ptahhatp’s concise insights into the human condition available for the first time. Additionally, two other texts are included: The Dialogue Between a Man and His Soul, which explores the meaning of life, and Why Things Happen, the oldest known creation account. These works illustrate how Ptahhatp’s philosophy is rooted in ancient Egyptian beliefs about truth and reality. Manley contextualizes the vizier and the significance of the “oldest book of the world,” preserved in the Papyrus Prisse at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, providing a fresh perspective on the Pyramid Age and challenging traditional views on the origins of Western philosophy. 74 illustrations /

Hieroglyphs are pictures used as signs in writing. When standing before an ancient tablet in a museum or visiting an Egyptian monument, we marvel at this unique writing and puzzle over its meaning. Now, with the help of Egyptologists Mark Collier and Bill Manley, museum-goers, tourists, and armchair travelers alike can gain a basic knowledge of the language and culture of ancient Egypt.Collier and Manley's novel approach is informed by years of experience teaching Egyptian hieroglyphs to non-specialists. Using attractive drawings of actual inscriptions displayed in the British Museum, they concentrate on the kind of hieroglyphs readers might encounter in other collections, especially funerary writings and tomb scenes. Each chapter introduces a new aspect of hieroglyphic script or Middle Egyptian grammar and encourages acquisition of reading skills with practical exercises.The texts offer insights into the daily experiences of their ancient authors and touch on topics ranging from pharaonic administration to family life to the Egyptian way of death. With this book as a guide, one can enjoy a whole new experience in understanding Egyptian art and artifacts around the world.

Diese Einführung in die ägyptischen Hieroglyphen ermöglicht es jedem, die geheimnisvollen Zeichen der alten Ägypter zu verstehen. Sie bietet klare Erklärungen, grammatikalische Regeln und praktische Übungen zu Themen wie Totenkult und Alltagsleben, um das Lesen der Bildzeichen zu einem faszinierenden Erlebnis zu machen.