Ancient Greek language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ancient Greek |
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|---|---|
| Ἑλληνική Hellēnikḗ |
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| Region | eastern Mediterranean |
| Era | developed into Koiné Greek by the 4th century BC |
| Language family |
Indo-European
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| Writing system | Greek alphabet |
Map of Homeric Greece
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Ancient Greek was the language spoken in Ancient Greece. People used it from about 900 BC to 300 BC. It is one of the most important old languages for English speakers. This is because many English words come from Ancient Greek.
Ancient Greek had many different ways of speaking, called dialects. The "Attic Greek" dialect was spoken in Athens. Many people thought it was the clearest form of the language.
The ancient Greeks became very powerful. Their language spread quickly around the Mediterranean Sea. Alexander the Great even helped take it into Asia. Later, during the time of the Roman Empire, children often learned Greek as a second language. This was similar to how many people learn English today. All of this shows how important Ancient Greek was.
Contents
Stories and Plays in Ancient Greek
The famous poems of Homer were written in Ancient Greek. These include the Iliad and the Odyssey. They tell exciting stories about war, travel, and the Greek gods.
In the 5th century BC, great plays were also written. Playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides created these works. This time was known as the "Golden Age" of Ancient Greece. These amazing stories and plays still inspire people today.
How Ancient Greek Changed
All languages change over time, and Greek is no different. Ancient Greek changed a lot over 2,500 years. Modern Greek is often said to have started around 1453 AD.
Unlike Latin, Ancient Greek did not split into many new languages. But it is still seen as a separate language from Modern Greek. For example, how words are pronounced has changed a lot. Even though the spelling looks similar, the sounds are different.
Despite these changes, it is amazing how much of the language has stayed the same. There is even a community near Trabzon in Turkey that speaks a dialect very similar to Ancient Greek.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Ancient Greek language
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Ostracon bearing the name of Cimon, Stoa of Attalos
See Also
In Spanish: Griego antiguo para niños
