From Gabii and Gordion to Eretria and Methone: the Rise of the Greek Alphabet

Recent findings from Methone, including three long inscriptions likely written in Eretrian script, provide crucial evidence for the diffusion of literacy and the evolution of the Greek alphabet. These inscriptions challenge traditional views by suggesting that the alphabet's development involved three distinct phases—Cretan, Euboean, Roman, and Ionian—contradicting earlier assumptions about its Phoenician origins. The discovery also supports a revised chronology for the Middle and Late Geometric periods, resolving inconsistencies in previous theories. Additionally, the inscriptions indicate that the Euboean script was sophisticated enough to record complex texts, such as epic poetry, by this stage. This study bridges archaeological evidence with linguistic history, offering new insights into the spread of literacy across the Mediterranean.

Janko, R. (2017). From Gabii and Gordion to Eretria and Methone: the Rise of the Greek Alphabet. Panhellenes at Methone, 135–164. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110515695-008