On the cipher script of the London-Leiden Demotic magical papyrus

Abstract

The present paper aims to show that the cipher script of the London-Leiden Demotic magical papyrus is a complex cultural artefact whose creation is inextricably connected with that of the magical handbook which contains it. In particular, it is argued that some of its signs can be interpreted as Greek letters in Demotic disguise. This fact can be seen as a confirmation that the graphic shapes employed in writing systems are easily burdened with cultural identity values. Altogether, this contribution also provides additional counterarguments to the view that the script at issue is basically a Greek ciphered alphabet enlarged with Demotic letters.