The Greek Alphabet
Alaina Loomis
Background
The Greek culture is greatly known for its rich poetic works and many famous philosophers. However, all of this would not have been possible if it weren’t for the creation of a written language to further encourage the spread of written word. Although the Greeks did have a spoken language and a great oral tradition, they lacked the advancement in written language like that of the Phoenicians. It was, in fact, the Phoenicians who caused the push in creating a written language for the Greeks. (See Phoenician Alphabet)
Turning Point
The inspiration for creating a written language came specifically from merchant trading. Coming in contact with Eubean merchants, Greek merchants were exposed to an advanced technology with which they envied very much. So naturally, being exposed to the technicality and direct use of a written language, the Greek merchants learned not only the Phoenician written alphabet and its great use, but learned how easily it could be transferred to the Greek language. It was then the Merchants who took this knowledge and attempted at creating their very own Greek alphabet and written language. [1]The process of making “non-Phoenician letters” was relatively easy as format of the Phoenician alphabet was not awkward like the cuneiform of the Ugarit and Babylonian languages.[2] The Phoenician alphabet had a simple acrophonic structure and similar symbols that would be easy to transfer as well. The use and emphasis on phonetic value in the Phoenician language truly allowed for an easier transfer of the Greek language to written form in a similar fashion. [3]The only problem was that there was no direct relation between the phonetic values of Phoenician consonants and that of Greek spoken language. So, Phoenician consonant symbols were used to create Greek vowels.[4] It was from here that the Greeks were able to elaborate upon and develop a written language on their own.
The relative date of creation for the Greek alphabet is under great controversy. Much of this has to do with the fact that early writings were inscribed on perishable materials and left very limited evidence with which to date back to.[5]-[6] Some historians date the creation back to the first half of the 7th century B.C.[7] while others date it back to 900 B.C. Evidence of this is seen in the Moabite Stone which mentioned King Mesha which led to the knowledge that the Greek Language was created around the year 850 B.C.[8]
Effect
The creation of the Greek alphabet triggered the start of an age that held great emphasis on the vitality of literature. Previously a culture that relied solely on oral tradition, the need for sharing generations of stories (poems, sonnets, legends, official government documents, etc.) proved to be essential.[9] The Greek people embraced written language with open arms as it gave them a way to continue years of tradition in a more effective manner.[10] Aside from the famous Greek literature with which we are so familiar, the creation of a written language was also quite useful in the commercial world. Written language was absolutely essential for merchants as they could record trades and other important transactions.[11]
[1] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Pages 170,172.
[2] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 21.
[3] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Pages 169-170.
[4] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 170.
[5] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 173.
[6] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 16.
[7] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 10.
[8] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Pages 10,16.
[9] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 174.
[10] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 174.
[11] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 172.
Bibliography
Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 37, No. 1 (Jan.- Mar., 1933). Archaeological Institute of America. 1933. pp.9-21
Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer”. Mnemosyne, Fourth Series, Vol. 59, Fasc. 2 (2006), pp. 169-175
Alaina Loomis
Background
The Greek culture is greatly known for its rich poetic works and many famous philosophers. However, all of this would not have been possible if it weren’t for the creation of a written language to further encourage the spread of written word. Although the Greeks did have a spoken language and a great oral tradition, they lacked the advancement in written language like that of the Phoenicians. It was, in fact, the Phoenicians who caused the push in creating a written language for the Greeks. (See Phoenician Alphabet)
Turning Point
The inspiration for creating a written language came specifically from merchant trading. Coming in contact with Eubean merchants, Greek merchants were exposed to an advanced technology with which they envied very much. So naturally, being exposed to the technicality and direct use of a written language, the Greek merchants learned not only the Phoenician written alphabet and its great use, but learned how easily it could be transferred to the Greek language. It was then the Merchants who took this knowledge and attempted at creating their very own Greek alphabet and written language. [1]The process of making “non-Phoenician letters” was relatively easy as format of the Phoenician alphabet was not awkward like the cuneiform of the Ugarit and Babylonian languages.[2] The Phoenician alphabet had a simple acrophonic structure and similar symbols that would be easy to transfer as well. The use and emphasis on phonetic value in the Phoenician language truly allowed for an easier transfer of the Greek language to written form in a similar fashion. [3]The only problem was that there was no direct relation between the phonetic values of Phoenician consonants and that of Greek spoken language. So, Phoenician consonant symbols were used to create Greek vowels.[4] It was from here that the Greeks were able to elaborate upon and develop a written language on their own.
The relative date of creation for the Greek alphabet is under great controversy. Much of this has to do with the fact that early writings were inscribed on perishable materials and left very limited evidence with which to date back to.[5]-[6] Some historians date the creation back to the first half of the 7th century B.C.[7] while others date it back to 900 B.C. Evidence of this is seen in the Moabite Stone which mentioned King Mesha which led to the knowledge that the Greek Language was created around the year 850 B.C.[8]
Effect
The creation of the Greek alphabet triggered the start of an age that held great emphasis on the vitality of literature. Previously a culture that relied solely on oral tradition, the need for sharing generations of stories (poems, sonnets, legends, official government documents, etc.) proved to be essential.[9] The Greek people embraced written language with open arms as it gave them a way to continue years of tradition in a more effective manner.[10] Aside from the famous Greek literature with which we are so familiar, the creation of a written language was also quite useful in the commercial world. Written language was absolutely essential for merchants as they could record trades and other important transactions.[11]
[1] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Pages 170,172.
[2] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 21.
[3] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Pages 169-170.
[4] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 170.
[5] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 173.
[6] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 16.
[7] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Page 10.
[8] Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology. Jan.-Mar.,1933. Pages 10,16.
[9] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 174.
[10] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 174.
[11] Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer.” Mnemosyne. 2006. Page 172.
Bibliography
Rhys Carpenter. “The Antiquity of the Greek Alphabet”. American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 37, No. 1 (Jan.- Mar., 1933). Archaeological Institute of America. 1933. pp.9-21
Sven-Tage Teodorsson. “Eastern Literacy, Greek Alphabet, and Homer”. Mnemosyne, Fourth Series, Vol. 59, Fasc. 2 (2006), pp. 169-175