In epigraphy, a multilingual inscription is an inscription that includes the same text in two or more languages. A bilingual is an inscription that includes the same text in two languages. Multilingual inscriptions are important for the decipherment of ancient writing systems, and for the study of ancient languages with small or repetitive corpora.
The Rosetta Stone and Behistun Inscription, both multilingual writings, were instrumental to deciphering the ancient writing systems of Egypt and Mesopotamia, respectively
Image: Rosetta Stone
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. The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts, respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. The decree has only minor differences across the three versions, making the Rosetta Stone key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts.
The Rosetta Stone on display in the British Museum, London
Report of the arrival of the Rosetta Stone in England in The Gentleman's Magazine, 1802
Left and right sides of the Rosetta Stone, with inscriptions: (Left) "Captured in Egypt by the British Army in 1801" (Right) "Presented by King George III".
Experts inspecting the Rosetta Stone during the Second International Congress of Orientalists, 1874
