The Etruscan Alphabet
Large letters in bold square yellow cards
Origins of the Script
The Etruscan alphabet, derived from the Euboean Greek script, was the voice of a civilization that flourished in ancient Italy from the 7th century BCE. Written from right to left, it adorned pottery, tombs, and bronze, carrying the words of the Rasna, as the Etruscans called themselves. This script gave rise to the Latin alphabet, shaping modern writing.
Below, each letter is showcased in a large, bold square yellow card with its reconstructed IPA pronunciation and Latin equivalent. Some sounds are speculative, based on inscriptions and linguistic comparisons.
The Letters
Notes on Pronunciation
The pronunciations provided are based on linguistic reconstructions, as no native Etruscan speakers remain. The IPA symbols reflect likely sounds, drawn from comparisons with Greek and Latin. Letters like b and d were rarely used, and o was absent, as Etruscan favored u. Aspirated consonants (e.g., /tʰ/, /pʰ/, /kʰ/) show Greek influence, while /ʃ/ indicates a unique sibilant sound.
The Etruscan script’s legacy lives on in the Latin alphabet, with letters like F and R directly inspired by their Etruscan forms. Hover over the large square yellow cards above to explore each letter’s role in this ancient script.
Etruscan Word Exercise
Rearrange the letters to form a simple Etruscan word
Instructions
Drag and drop the yellow cards below to arrange the Etruscan letters in a horizontal row to form a simple Etruscan word. Click "Check Answer" to see if you got it right. Use the "Reshuffle" button to try again with a new order.
Arrange the Letters
Correct Answer
Word: lar (𐌋𐌀𐌑)
Translation: Lord or Ruler
No comments:
Post a Comment