Medieval Greek
Medieval Greek, often referred to as Byzantine Greek, is the stage of the Greek language that was used during the Middle Ages by the Byzantine Empire. This period spans roughly from the late 6th century to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Here are some key aspects:
Historical Context
- The transition from Ancient Greek to Medieval Greek was gradual. The language evolved through changes in pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax influenced by political, cultural, and linguistic interactions within and beyond the Byzantine Empire.
- After the Roman Empire's split, Greek became the primary administrative and literary language of the Eastern Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire, despite Latin being the official language for a period.
Linguistic Characteristics
- Pronunciation: There was a significant shift in pronunciation, including the loss of vowel length distinctions and the transformation of certain diphthongs into single vowels.
- Vocabulary: The language incorporated many words from Latin, Slavic languages, and later from Arabic and Turkish due to cultural and trade exchanges. Words related to Christianity, bureaucracy, and military terms were particularly borrowed.
- Grammar: Simplification of grammatical structures occurred, including the decline of the optative mood, simplification of the aorist tense, and changes in the use of articles.
Literature
- The Byzantine period saw a rich production of literature, both religious and secular. Key works include:
Script
- Medieval Greek was written predominantly in the Greek alphabet, with some variations in letter forms over time, particularly in the use of majuscule and minuscule scripts.
- The Uncial script was initially used, later transitioning to the Minuscule script, which became the standard for book production.
Legacy
- Medieval Greek has had a lasting influence on the development of Modern Greek. Many words and grammatical structures from this period are still in use today.
- It also influenced the Renaissance humanists who studied Greek literature, leading to a revival of interest in ancient Greek culture.
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