Entity: ROSETTASTONE
The term 'ROSETTASTONE' refers to a black basalt stone found in 1799 that bears inscriptions in hieroglyphics, demotic characters, and Greek, crucial for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is also commonly used to describe a language-learning software program or as a metaphor for unlocking understanding.
ROSETTASTONE
Etymology
The term 'ROSETTASTONE' originates from the Rosetta Stone, a black basalt stone found in 1799 near Rosetta, bearing inscriptions in hieroglyphics, demotic characters, and Greek.
Definition
The term 'ROSETTASTONE' refers to a significant artifact that played a pivotal role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is also commonly used metaphorically to represent something that unlocks the key to understanding.
Historical Context
The Rosetta Stone is a stele of granodiorite inscribed with three versions of a decree issued in 196 BC during the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, on behalf of King Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
Cultural Significance
The Rosetta Stone is celebrated for providing the first clue to the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphics, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding ancient Egyptian language and history.
Related Concepts
Some people use 'ROSETTASTONE' to refer to a language-learning software program, while others use it to describe a particular type of rock or mineral. However, the most common usage of the term is as a metaphor for something that unlocks the key to understanding something else.
See Also
A significant artifact that played a pivotal role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, also used metaphorically to represent something that unlocks the key to understanding.