The term papyrus was adopted into the European languages via the Greek πάπυρος/pápyros, lat. papyrus, and ultimately is the source of the modern terms for paper, Papier, papier, etc. Papyrus is hypothetically derived from an (unattested) Egyptian *pa-prro ('that of the king'). Papyrus, an aquatic plant with a long stem and a triangular cross-section (Cyperus papyrus L.), was in its processed form a widespread writing material ('paper') in the ancient cultures of the Medi…
Cite this page
Dorandi, Tiziano (Paris),
Quack, Joachim (Berlin),
Renger, Johannes (Berlin) and
Hurschmann, Rolf (Hamburg),
“Papyrus”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 26 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e907380>