'Listen, father!': 1,700-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt contains a poem in ancient Greek and spells to protect the dead

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1. 1h ago

   1,700-Year-Old Roman-Era Tomb Found in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis

   Archaeologists discovered a 1,700-year-old limestone tomb at Bir el-Shaghala in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis. The site contains a rare 19-line poem in ancient Greek written by a son, Sarapion, to his father, Pisechtes. The poem praises Pisechtes for his wisdom and kindness, calling him an advisor in life. The tomb also contains protective spells, afterlife imagery, and a coin depicting Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Built for a husband and wife during the Roman period, the structure is pyramid-shaped and may have been reused after its original construction.

   Why it matters

   The discovery highlights the intersection of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures during the fourth century. It provides a glimpse into the funerary practices and familial bonds of the era. The presence of both Greek text and protective hieroglyphics illustrates the linguistic diversity of the region.

   What is confirmed

   • The tomb is located at Bir el-Shaghala in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis.
   • The burial site dates back approximately 1,700 years to the Roman era.
   • A 19-line poem in ancient Greek is inscribed on a stone plaque inside the tomb.
   • The poem includes the phrase "Listen, father!" from a son named Sarapion to his father, Pisechtes.
   • The tomb contains a coin featuring Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.
   • The structure is a pyramid-shaped limestone tomb built for a husband and wife.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Pisechtes may have been a judge.

   What to watch next

   • Analysis of the tomb's reuse patterns
   • Further translation of the protective spells
   • Identification of the wife buried in the tomb
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Live Science — 'Listen, father!': 1,700-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt contains a poem in ancient Greek and spells to protect the dead
   2. Yahoo — Ancient tomb with 1,700-year-old Greek poem unearthed in Egypt
   3. Archaeology Magazine — News - Pyramid-Shaped Tomb Unearthed in Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis
   4. La Brújula Verde — A 1,700-Year-Old Pyramid Found in the Egyptian Desert Held a Judge, a Greek Poem and a Coin of Constantine
   5. Finestre sull'Arte — Egypt: A Roman pyramid tomb with funerary texts in Greek has been discovered at Bir el-Shaghala
   6. Newser — Egyptian Tomb Yields Original Poem, From Son to Dad
   7. People.com — 1,700-Year-Old Tomb Found Near Ancient City in Egypt with an Ancient Greek Poem and Protective Hieroglyphics
   8. The Independent — Ancient Egyptian tomb with 1,700-year-old Greek poem unearthed: ‘Listen, father!’
   9. www.livescience.com — 'Listen, father!': 1,700-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt ...
   10. www.independent.co.uk — Ancient tomb with 1,700-year-old Greek poem unearthed in Egypt
   11. economictimes.indiatimes.com — A 1,700-year-old Egyptian tomb contains a Greek poem ...
   12. www.europesays.com — 'Listen, father!': 1,700-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt ...
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