• harrys_balzac@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 months ago

    Nowhere as many as Latin. As far as ancient languages, Egyptian magical texts definitely outnumber Akkadian and Sumerian.

    A large number of surviving Akkadian texts are commercial or official records. The most famous is probably the complaint against Ea Nasir.

    • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Unfortunately we know what latin sounds like (though most of hollywood has only a vague concept), and nobody speaks ancient Egyptian of Akkadian.

      From what I gather even reading either is a nightmare…

        • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          We also have latin rhymes and even pronunciation guides from many different times, because the romans ended up teaching latin to quite a few people for uhm… less ethical reasons.

      • lauha@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        But does it really matter if we don’t kmow what they sound like. It’s not like audience will know either.

    • wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz
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      2 months ago

      Unless Ea Nasir was carving scarabs and magic squares on his copper, I don’t think that counts as a magical text.

      I’m aware of the Chaldean Oracles, but they don’t survive in their original language. I think the oldest surviving translations are in Greek or Arabic.