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Horapollo, or Horus Apollo

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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An Egyptian priest, and author of a treatise on Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Several writers of this name are mentioned by Suidas, Stephanus of Byzantium under Phenebethis, Photius (p. 536, ed. Bekker), and Eustathius (Homer, Od.), but it is doubtful which of them was actually the author of the treatise on Egyptian Hieroglyphics. The probability is that the work was originally written in the Egyptian language, and translated into Greek by Philip Horus was the name of one of the Egyptian deities, who was considered by the Greeks to be the same as Apollo (Herod. 2:141-156). We learn from Lucian (Pro Imag. 27) that the Egyptians were frequently called by the names of their gods. But, whatever may be thought respecting the author, it is evident that the work was written after the Christian sera, since it contains allusions to the philosophical tenets of the Gnostics. The value of this work in interpreting existing hieroglyphics has been variously estimated. Champollion, Leemans, and other recent scholars esteem it more highly than former critics did. It was printed for the first time by Aldus (Venice, 1505), with the Fables of Esop. The best editions are by Mercer (1551), Hoeschelius (1595), De Pauw (1727), and Leemans (Amst 1834). The last discussed in his Introduction tie date and authorship of the work. See English Cyclopaedia; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. G neral. 25, 166; Bunsen, Egyptens, Stelle in d. Weltgesch. 1, 402; Champollion, Precis du Systeme Hieroglyphique des Anciens Egyptiens, p. 347 sq. (See HIEROGLYPHICS).