Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Georg Friedrich Grotefend" - New World
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| − | '''Georg Friedrich Grotefend''' (born June 9, 1775 – died December 15, 1853), was a [[Germany|German]] teacher, [[archaeology| | + | '''Georg Friedrich Grotefend''' (born June 9, 1775 – died December 15, 1853), was a [[Germany|German]] [[teacher]], [[archaeology|archaeologist]] and [[language|linguist]], who made important discoveries in the [[Persian Empire|Old Persian]] language. He partially deciphered the ancient Persian [[cuneiform]] script, translating 10 out of 37 signs. |
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
| − | '''Georg Grotefend''' was born at Munden in Hanover (today's [[Germany]]). His father, Johann Christian Grotefend, was the head of the shoemakers guild in Hannoversch-Münden. Grotefend was partly educated in his native town | + | '''Georg Friedrich Grotefend''' was born at Munden in Hanover (today's [[Germany]]). His father, Johann Christian Grotefend, was the head of the shoemakers [[guild]] in Hannoversch-Münden. Grotefend was partly educated in his native town and partly at Ilfeld, where he remained until his twentieth birthday. |
| − | In 1795 he entered the [[University of Göttingen]] to study [[theology]] and [[philology]]. There he became a friend of | + | In 1795, he entered the [[University of Göttingen]] to study [[theology]] and [[philology]]. There he became a friend of Christian Gottlob Heyne, Thomas Christian Tychsen, and Arnold Hermann Ludwig Heeren. Heyne's recommendation procured for him an assistant mastership in the Göttingen [[gymnasium]] in 1797. While there, he published his work ''De pasigraphia sive scriptura universali'' (1799), which led to his appointment in 1803 as pro-rector of the gymnasium of [[Frankfurt]], and shortly afterwards as rector there. |
| − | At the same time he started to work on the transcription of the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] [[ | + | At the same time he started to work on the transcription of the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] [[cuneiform]] script. He published his results in a series of papers in the early 1800s. |
| − | He continued his career mostly working on [[Latin]] and [[Italian language]], though he paid | + | He continued his career mostly working on [[Latin]] and [[Italian language]], though he also paid attention to his own language, as shown by his ''Anfangsgründe der deutschen Poesie'', published in 1815, and his founding of a society for investigating the [[German language]] in 1817. In 1821, he became director of the gymnasium at Hanover, a post which he retained until his retirement in 1849. |
| − | In 1823 | + | In 1823 – 1824, his revised edition of [[Helfrich Bernhard Wenck|Wenck]]'s ''Latin grammar'', appeared in two volumes, followed by a smaller grammar for the use of schools in 1826; in 1835-1838 a systematic attempt to explain the fragmentary remains of the [[Umbrian language|Umbrian]] [[dialect]], entitled ''Rudimenta linguae Umbricae ex inscriptionibus antiquis enodata'' (in eight parts); and in 1839 a work of similar character upon [[Oscan]] language (''Rudimenta linguae Oscae''). In the same year, he published an important memoir on the [[coin]]s of [[Bactria]], under the name of ''Die Münzen der griechischen, parthischen und indoskythischen Könige von Baktrien und den Ländern am Indus''. |
| − | He soon | + | He soon returned to his favorite subject, however, and brought out a work in five parts, ''Zur Geographie und Geschichte von Alt-Italien'' (1840-1842.). Previously, in 1836, he had written a preface to Wagenfeld's translation of the spurious ''Sanchoniathon'' of [[Philo of Byblos]], which was alleged to have been discovered in the preceding year in the Portuguese convent of Santa Maria de Merinhão. |
He retired in 1849 and died on December 15, 1853, in Hannover, Hanover (today’s [[Germany]]). | He retired in 1849 and died on December 15, 1853, in Hannover, Hanover (today’s [[Germany]]). | ||
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==Work== | ==Work== | ||
| − | Although Grotefend did most of his work on Italian, Latin, and German | + | Although Grotefend did most of his work on [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Latin]], and [[German language]]s, it was his work on [[Old Persian]] that made him famous. The [[cuneiform]] inscriptions of [[Persian Empire|Persia]] had for some time been attracting attention in [[Europe]]; exact copies of them had been published by the elder [[Carsten Niebuhr]], who lost his eyesight over the task. |
| − | It was Niebuhr who brought the copies | + | It was Niebuhr who brought the copies of inscriptions to Europe, which he found during the explorations of the ruins of the 2,000-year-old palace of the Persian kings in [[Persepolis]], in 1756. The inscriptions were written in three different languages, Old Persian, [[Babylonian]], and [[Elamite]]. Grotefend took on the task of deciphering the first language, Persian. |
| − | Interestingly enough, Grotefend arrived | + | Interestingly enough, Grotefend arrived at this task by chance. He made a bet with his friend Rafaello Fiorillo, who claimed that it was impossible to read a language about which nothing is known, neither form nor content. Grotefend believed otherwise, and they made the bet. The choice of language upon which the test was to be made fell on [[cuneiform]] script. |
| − | Previously, Grotefend's friend, [[Oluf Gerhard Tychsen]], believed that he had ascertained the characters in the column (what turned out to be Persian) | + | Previously, Grotefend's friend, [[Oluf Gerhard Tychsen]], believed that he had ascertained that the characters in the column (of what turned out to be Persian) were [[alphabet|alphabetic]]. At that point Grotefend took up the matter. His first discovery was communicated to the Royal Society of Göttingen in 1800, and reviewed by Tychsen two years afterwards. |
| − | His | + | His discoveries may be summarized as follows: |
| − | + | #that the Persian inscriptions contain three different forms of cuneiform writing, so that deciphering of the one would give the key to translation of the others | |
| − | #that the Persian inscriptions contain three different forms of cuneiform writing, so that | ||
#that the characters of the Persian column are alphabetic and not syllabic | #that the characters of the Persian column are alphabetic and not syllabic | ||
#that they must be read from left to right | #that they must be read from left to right | ||
#that the alphabet consists of forty letters, including signs for long and short vowels | #that the alphabet consists of forty letters, including signs for long and short vowels | ||
| − | #that the Persepolitan inscriptions are written in Zend (which, however, is not the case), and must be ascribed to the age of the Achaemcnian princes | + | #that the Persepolitan inscriptions are written in Zend (which, however, is not the case), and must be ascribed to the age of the Achaemcnian princes. |
| − | The process through which Grotefend arrived | + | The process through which Grotefend arrived at his conclusions is a prominent illustration of [[genius]]. He was able to pick out repetitive phrases, which were used to honor Persian kings. He then compared those letters with the kings' names, which he knew from [[Greek language|Greek]] historical texts. Step by step he discovered ten letters. The first word which he translated was ''Darayavahusch : chschayathiya'' (translates as king [[Darius I of Persia|Darius]]). |
| − | In 1815 he gave an account of | + | In 1815, he gave an account of his discoveries in Heeren's work on ancient history, and in 1837 published his ''Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der persepolitanischen Keilschrift''. Three years later appeared his ''Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der babylonischen Keilschrift''. |
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | Grotefend laid the | + | Grotefend laid the initial foundation for the deciphering of [[Persian Empire|Old Persian]] [[cuneiform]] script. He discovered 10 out of 37 letters. What remained was to work out the results of Grotefend's discovery, a task performed by [[Eugène Burnouf]], [[Christian Lassen]], and [[Henry Rawlinson]]. It took an additional 45 years to decipher the last 27 letters. |
| − | == | + | ==Works== |
* Grotefend, Georg F. 1799. ''De pasigraphia sive scriptura universali''. Gottingae : Dieterich | * Grotefend, Georg F. 1799. ''De pasigraphia sive scriptura universali''. Gottingae : Dieterich | ||
Revision as of 23:42, 18 March 2007
Georg Friedrich Grotefend (born June 9, 1775 – died December 15, 1853), was a German teacher, archaeologist and linguist, who made important discoveries in the Old Persian language. He partially deciphered the ancient Persian cuneiform script, translating 10 out of 37 signs.
Life
Georg Friedrich Grotefend was born at Munden in Hanover (today's Germany). His father, Johann Christian Grotefend, was the head of the shoemakers guild in Hannoversch-Münden. Grotefend was partly educated in his native town and partly at Ilfeld, where he remained until his twentieth birthday.
In 1795, he entered the University of Göttingen to study theology and philology. There he became a friend of Christian Gottlob Heyne, Thomas Christian Tychsen, and Arnold Hermann Ludwig Heeren. Heyne's recommendation procured for him an assistant mastership in the Göttingen gymnasium in 1797. While there, he published his work De pasigraphia sive scriptura universali (1799), which led to his appointment in 1803 as pro-rector of the gymnasium of Frankfurt, and shortly afterwards as rector there.
At the same time he started to work on the transcription of the Persian cuneiform script. He published his results in a series of papers in the early 1800s.
He continued his career mostly working on Latin and Italian language, though he also paid attention to his own language, as shown by his Anfangsgründe der deutschen Poesie, published in 1815, and his founding of a society for investigating the German language in 1817. In 1821, he became director of the gymnasium at Hanover, a post which he retained until his retirement in 1849.
In 1823 – 1824, his revised edition of Wenck's Latin grammar, appeared in two volumes, followed by a smaller grammar for the use of schools in 1826; in 1835-1838 a systematic attempt to explain the fragmentary remains of the Umbrian dialect, entitled Rudimenta linguae Umbricae ex inscriptionibus antiquis enodata (in eight parts); and in 1839 a work of similar character upon Oscan language (Rudimenta linguae Oscae). In the same year, he published an important memoir on the coins of Bactria, under the name of Die Münzen der griechischen, parthischen und indoskythischen Könige von Baktrien und den Ländern am Indus.
He soon returned to his favorite subject, however, and brought out a work in five parts, Zur Geographie und Geschichte von Alt-Italien (1840-1842.). Previously, in 1836, he had written a preface to Wagenfeld's translation of the spurious Sanchoniathon of Philo of Byblos, which was alleged to have been discovered in the preceding year in the Portuguese convent of Santa Maria de Merinhão.
He retired in 1849 and died on December 15, 1853, in Hannover, Hanover (today’s Germany).
Work
Although Grotefend did most of his work on Italian, Latin, and German languages, it was his work on Old Persian that made him famous. The cuneiform inscriptions of Persia had for some time been attracting attention in Europe; exact copies of them had been published by the elder Carsten Niebuhr, who lost his eyesight over the task.
It was Niebuhr who brought the copies of inscriptions to Europe, which he found during the explorations of the ruins of the 2,000-year-old palace of the Persian kings in Persepolis, in 1756. The inscriptions were written in three different languages, Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite. Grotefend took on the task of deciphering the first language, Persian.
Interestingly enough, Grotefend arrived at this task by chance. He made a bet with his friend Rafaello Fiorillo, who claimed that it was impossible to read a language about which nothing is known, neither form nor content. Grotefend believed otherwise, and they made the bet. The choice of language upon which the test was to be made fell on cuneiform script.
Previously, Grotefend's friend, Oluf Gerhard Tychsen, believed that he had ascertained that the characters in the column (of what turned out to be Persian) were alphabetic. At that point Grotefend took up the matter. His first discovery was communicated to the Royal Society of Göttingen in 1800, and reviewed by Tychsen two years afterwards.
His discoveries may be summarized as follows:
- that the Persian inscriptions contain three different forms of cuneiform writing, so that deciphering of the one would give the key to translation of the others
- that the characters of the Persian column are alphabetic and not syllabic
- that they must be read from left to right
- that the alphabet consists of forty letters, including signs for long and short vowels
- that the Persepolitan inscriptions are written in Zend (which, however, is not the case), and must be ascribed to the age of the Achaemcnian princes.
The process through which Grotefend arrived at his conclusions is a prominent illustration of genius. He was able to pick out repetitive phrases, which were used to honor Persian kings. He then compared those letters with the kings' names, which he knew from Greek historical texts. Step by step he discovered ten letters. The first word which he translated was Darayavahusch : chschayathiya (translates as king Darius).
In 1815, he gave an account of his discoveries in Heeren's work on ancient history, and in 1837 published his Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der persepolitanischen Keilschrift. Three years later appeared his Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der babylonischen Keilschrift.
Legacy
Grotefend laid the initial foundation for the deciphering of Old Persian cuneiform script. He discovered 10 out of 37 letters. What remained was to work out the results of Grotefend's discovery, a task performed by Eugène Burnouf, Christian Lassen, and Henry Rawlinson. It took an additional 45 years to decipher the last 27 letters.
Works
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1799. De pasigraphia sive scriptura universali. Gottingae : Dieterich
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1815. Anfangsgründe der deutschen Poesie
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1824. Latin grammar (2 vols.)
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1835-1838. Rudimenta linguae Umbricae ex inscriptionibus antiquis enodata (8 parts). Hannover: Libraria Aulica Hahnii.
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1837. Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der persepolitanischen Keilschrift. Hannover: Verlage der Hahn'schen Hofbuchhandlung
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1839. Die Münzen der griechischen, parthischen und indoskythischen Könige von Baktrien und den Ländern am Indus
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1839. Rudimenta linguae Oscae. Hannover: Libraria Aulica Hahnii
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1840. Neue Beiträge zur Erläuterung der babylonischen Keilschrift. Hannover: Hahn
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1840-1842. Zur Geographie und Geschichte von Alt-Italien. Hannover: Hahn.
- Grotefend, Georg F. 1845. Remarks on the wedge inscription recently discovered on the upper Euphrates. Madden and Malcolm
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Curtis J. & Tallis, N. 2005. Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia. University of California Press. ISBN 0520247310
- Iranica.com. Grotefend, Georg Friedrich. Retrieved on March 1, 2007, <http://www.iranica.com/articles/v11f4/v11f4004.html>
- Trigger Bruce G. 2006. A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521840767
- Wiesehofer, Josef. 2001. Ancient Persia. I. B. Tauris. ISBN 1860646751
External links
- Cuneiform and the Bible – An article by Lesley Adkins, October 2003
- Darius the Great and the Bisutun Inscription – On the history of decipherment of Persian cuneiform
- Decipherment of cuneiform – History of the decipherment of cuneiform
- Georg Friedrich Grotefend – Grotefend’s biography on Encyclopedia Britannica
- Old Persian Cuneiform – Description and origin of cuneiform
- Behistun (Bisitun) Monument of Darius, King of Persia – Contains two articles on translation of inscriptions at Behistun
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