Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

Royal inscriptions are historical records concerning ancient Egyptian kings. Throughout the pharaonic period, they were carved on durable media, including temple walls, stelae, obelisks, statues, and objects. Depending on genres and styles, they could serve various purposes. Royal inscriptions were initially primarily pictorial, but over time became entirely textual. Since they were created for kings, they provide a rich source of historical information about the nature of kingship and royal ideology. For modern scholars, these royal records are invaluable aids in reconstructing ancient Egyptian history and in understanding royal deeds, activities, and discourse.