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At the Egyptian city of Naucratis there was a famous old…

“At the Egyptian city of Naucratis there was a famous old god whose name was Theuth; the bird which is called the Ibis was sacred to him, and he was the inventor of many arts, such as arithmetic and calculation and geometry and astronomy and draughts and dice, but his great discovery was the use of…” quote by Plato
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“At the Egyptian city of Naucratis there was a famous old god whose name was Theuth; the bird which is called the Ibis was sacred to him, and he was the inventor of many arts, such as arithmetic and calculation and geometry and astronomy and draughts and dice, but his great discovery was the use of letters.”

Plato

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote highlights the ancient reverence for Thoth, who embodied knowledge across many disciplines, emphasizing the foundational role of writing in civilization.

In simple terms: Thoth was a god of many arts, especially the invention of letters.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the power of language in shaping knowledge.

Themes

knowledge innovation writing

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education
  • historical research
  • literacy development
  • archaeology
  • cultural studies

Key Concepts

mythology ancient science communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does language influence cultural progress?
  • What modern inventions parallel Thoth’s impact?
A Different Perspective

The claim may overstate mythic attributions without archaeological proof.

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