Rosellini, Ipolito

Rosellini, Ipolito, an Italian antiquary, was born at Pisa, Aug. 13, 1800. In 1821 he received the degree of doctor of theology, and afterwards studied at Bologna under Mezzofanti; and taught in the University of Pisa. At the time of the discoveries of Champollion, in 1825, Rosellini became interested in the study of hieroglyphics, and, in company with Champollion, studied Egyptian antiquities in the museums of Italy, and went with him to Paris. In 1828 he was commissioned by the grand-duke of Tuscany to explore the ruins of Egypt and Nubia with his son and three naturalists. Champollion was sent at the same time, and on a similar errand, by the duke de Blacas. The two parties united, and for fifteen months traveled through the two countries. Returning to Pisa, Rosellini spent the rest of his life in directing the publication of the results of the expedition, the whole of the work having fallen upon him at the death of Champollion. On account of his feeble health, he gave up his professor's chair, and was made librarian of the university. He died June 4, 1843. His works are, La Fionda di David (Bologna, 1823), a treatise upon the age of the Masoretic points: — Lettera Filoloqico-critica al Am. Peyron (Pisa, 1831): — Tributo di

Riconoscenza e d'Amore reso alla Memoria di Champollion il Minore (ibid. 1832): — Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, Interpretati ed Illustrati (Florence, 1832. 1840); this is his great work, the foundation of all modern research concerning ancient Egypt; it is divided into Monumenti Storici, Civili, e Religiosi: — and Elementa Linguoe Egyptiacoe vulgo Copticoe (Rome, 1837). The latter, published by P. Ungarelli, is a resume of the lectures given by Rosellini, but the substance of it is printed in the Grammaire Copte of Champollion. Some other works, De Interpretatione Obeliscorum Urbis Romoe, published by Ungarelli as those of Rosellini, belong really to Champollion. See Miller and Unbenas, Revue de Bibliographie Analytique (1842); Bardelli, Biogr. dell' Ipp. Rosellini.