ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS, original: "E Soc. Iesu"; The Jesuits, a Catholic religious order known for its educational and scientific contributions.

EGYPTIAN

OEDIPUS. In Greek mythology, Oedipus was the hero who solved the riddle of the Sphinx. By using this title, Kircher presents himself as the scholar who has finally solved the "riddle" of the Egyptian hieroglyphs.

THAT IS

A RESTORATION

of the Universal Hieroglyphic Doctrine of the Ancients,

which was destroyed by the injury of time.

A work built from all the learning and wisdom of the East,

and established by the authority

of twenty different languages,

Under the Favorable Auspices of

FERDINAND III

OF AUSTRIA, Holy Roman Emperor (reigned 1637–1657) and Kircher’s primary patron.

The Wisest and Most Invincible

Emperor of the Romans, ever August,

rescued from the darkness,

And consecrated for the good of the Republic of Letters.

The "Republic of Letters" (Respublica Literaria) was the international community of scholars and intellectuals in the 17th century.

Volume I.

A circular institutional library stamp is located on the right side of the title block, containing a central motif of a sword and a pair of scales, surrounded by the inscription "BIBLIOTHECA UNIVERSITATIS" (University Library). Centered below the main text is a small typographic fleuron ornament.

AT ROME,

From the Printing House of Vitale Mascardi, 1652.

WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE SUPERIORS.

original: "Superiorum Permissu"; This indicates the book had passed official censorship by the Church authorities.