Snakes depicted in hieroglyphics (4)
I believe the answer is:
asps
'snakes depicted in hieroglyphics' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for asps that I've seen before include "Egyptian cobras" , "poisonous things" , "Pass among snakes" , "Poplars" , "because of their venom?" .)