Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Hieroglyphic, Demotic and Ancient Greek
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question sits at the intersection of history, archaeology and linguistics. The Rosetta Stone is one of the most important artefacts for understanding how scholars were able to decode ancient Egyptian writing. Knowing the three scripts on the stone helps you appreciate why it was such a powerful key to unlocking hieroglyphs.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• The object in question is the Rosetta Stone, discovered in Egypt.
• It contains a royal decree written three times in different scripts or languages.
• The options list different combinations of scripts such as hieroglyphic, demotic, Greek, Latin, Arabic, cuneiform and Phoenician.
• We must identify the historically correct combination.
Concept / Approach:
The Rosetta Stone bears the same text in three forms: Egyptian hieroglyphic, Egyptian demotic and ancient Greek. Hieroglyphic was used for formal religious and monumental texts, demotic was a later cursive Egyptian script for everyday use, and Greek was used because the ruling Ptolemaic dynasty was of Greek origin. The presence of a known language, Greek, alongside unknown scripts allowed scholars such as Champollion to decode hieroglyphs.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Rosetta Stone is famous for its triple script inscription, not just for one language.
Step 2: Remember that the top section is in hieroglyphic script, the middle in demotic script and the bottom in Greek.
Step 3: Look at the answer choices and find the option that lists hieroglyphic, demotic and ancient Greek together.
Step 4: Notice that option a matches this combination exactly.
Step 5: Select Hieroglyphic, Demotic and Ancient Greek as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Museum descriptions of the Rosetta Stone, especially from the British Museum where it is kept, clearly state that the text appears in hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek. Academic articles on the decipherment of hieroglyphs also emphasise this triple nature. No authoritative work describes Latin or Arabic as part of the Rosetta Stone inscription, which confirms that options including those languages are incorrect.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Hieroglyphic, Cuneiform and Latin: Cuneiform is Mesopotamian and Latin is Roman, neither belongs on the Rosetta Stone.
Demotic, Arabic and Ancient Greek: Arabic came much later with Islamic rule, so it is not present on this Ptolemaic period stone.
Hieroglyphic, Latin and Ancient Greek: Latin was not used for this decree in Ptolemaic Egypt.
Cuneiform, Phoenician and Ancient Greek: This combination does not match any description of the Rosetta Stone.
Common Pitfalls:
A typical error is to assume that Latin must be present because it was a major classical language, or to confuse demotic with Arabic. To avoid this, remember the phrase hieroglyphic plus demotic plus Greek whenever you see the Rosetta Stone mentioned. This three part formula will help you answer similar questions quickly and accurately.
Final Answer:
The Rosetta Stone carries the same decree written in hieroglyphic, demotic and ancient Greek.
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