Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered the rare hieroglyphic Canopus Decree, a sandstone stela inscribed with a complete version of the historic royal proclamation first issued in 238 B.C. during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy III Euergetes of the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty.
The discovery, made at Tell al-Faraun in Sharqia Governorate, is the first complete copy of the decree found in more than 150 years.
Unlike previously known trilingual versions written in hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Greek, this newly unearthed stela is inscribed entirely in hieroglyphs — a detail scholars say makes it one of the most important archaeological finds of the century.
Greek rulers, Egyptian traditions
The Canopus Decree reflects the Ptolemaic dynasty’s strategy of blending Greek political authority with Egyptian religious traditions. Issued by a council of priests in Canopus, east of Alexandria, the decree honored Ptolemy III, his wife Berenice, and their daughter.
It praised the royal couple as “the Beneficent Gods” for their donations to temples, efforts to preserve peace, and decision to reduce taxes during years of low Nile floods.
The decree also created a new priestly rank in their names, established a festival tied to the heliacal rising of the star Sirius. It introduced a leap-year day every four years — a reform later absorbed into the Roman Julian calendar.
🚨 Breaking: Complete Canopus Decree of Ptolemy III Unearthed in Egypt
A new fully intact stela bearing the Canopus Decree of King Ptolemy III (238 BC) has been unearthed in Tell el-Pharaeen, Sharqia Governorate. It’s the first complete version found in over 150 years, inscribed… pic.twitter.com/W9iUE8VD4I
— History Content (@HistContent) September 9, 2025
By ordering the text in three languages, the Ptolemies ensured accessibility across their diverse kingdom: hieroglyphs for temple priests, Demotic for the Egyptian population, and Greek for the ruling elite.
The fact that the newly found copy is inscribed only in hieroglyphs highlights how, in some regions, traditional Egyptian identity remained at the forefront even under Greek rule.
Design and inscription details
The stela measures 127.5 centimeters (50.2 inches) in height, 83 centimeters (32.7 inches) in width, and 48 centimeters (18.9 inches) in thickness. Its rounded top is decorated with a winged solar disk flanked by two cobras wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, with the phrase “Di-Ankh,” meaning “given life,” carved between them.
Below, 30 lines of hieroglyphic text were cut in sunk relief. While the workmanship is of medium quality, scholars say the uninterrupted hieroglyphic inscription provides an invaluable resource for refining knowledge of Late Egyptian grammar and vocabulary.
Officials praise the discovery
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy called the discovery a new chapter in the story of Egypt’s ancient civilization. He said it underscores Sharqia Governorate’s role as a growing center of excavation and affirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting future archaeological work.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the find is a rare addition that enriches knowledge of Ptolemaic royal and religious writings while deepening our understanding of the Egyptian language.
An ancient crossroads of cultures
Tell al-Faraun, known in antiquity as Imet, was a major city in the eastern Nile Delta. Excavations there have revealed temples, elite residences, and a sanctuary to the cobra goddess Wadjet, protector of Lower Egypt.
Scholars say the newly discovered decree underscores how the Ptolemies, Macedonian Greeks by origin, governed a land deeply rooted in its own traditions. By adopting Egyptian religious forms while incorporating Greek practices, they created a hybrid culture whose legacy still shapes the study of ancient history.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
