Linear B
The first version of a written language in Greece was used between 1400 and 1100 BC. Called the Linear B Script, this written language was primarily used by the Mycenaean civilization to document economic and political matters.
This language was heavily used until approximately 1100 BC due to the collapse of the Mycenaean political order. After this, Greek literacy was lost completely until the new Greek alphabet was developed.
Greek Alphabet
In the 8th century, trading had become a massive industry for ancient Greek culture. This called for a new written language to keep track of transactions. This new alphabet was heavily influenced by the pre-existing Phoenician alphabet.
This new wide spread alphabet that was sweeping its way through ancient Greece sparked a golden age of Greek literacy. New ideas came to light including Philosophy, science, government and education flourished. Everyone was learning this new alphabet: men, women, children and peasants were all able to learn this new language. Everyone was literate.
The Alphabet Itself
When the new language was first reused from the Phoenician’s, the Greeks had switched some of the old consonants to vowels, which are still recognizable today. Phoenician consonants like alef, he, yod, ʿayin, and vav were developed into new Greek vowels alpha, epsilon, iota, omicron, and upsilon. These vowels which translate to our modern english vowels, a, e, i, o, and u.
Before the 8th century, the Greek alphabet was split between two areas: eastern and western. The eastern side was known as Ionic has developed into the ancient language known as Latin while the western side know as Chalcidian has developed into modern day Greek.
Sources
https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/greece/gr1060e.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-alphabet
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3426/greek-alphabet/
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3475/ancient-greek-boustrophedon-inscription/
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