They consisted mostly of straight lines, although a few sounds were represented by circular shapes. The runes were, like other early writing systems, designed to be easily inscribed on wood and stone. There is evidence of Etruscan writing that documented Germanic names as early as 200 BC, but no writing from the Germanic tribes themselves has been found that dates earlier than 150 AD. A few, however, think that Germanic writing was more closely inspired by the pre-Latin writing systems of Northern Italy. Most scholars believe that this changed after these cultures came into contact with the Romans. The Germanic tribes had no way of recording their own history and mythology. Originally introduced by Phoenicians in the Bronze Age, it had been adopted and adapted by the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans.Ī system of writing had not yet been devised in Northern Europe, however. What Are Runes?īy the 2nd century AD, the use of writing had spread throughout much of Europe. After hundreds of years of practical use, runes are once again being written in charms, spells, and prayers. This connection has not entirely been lost in the modern era. Whether used on charms or invoked by gods, the Norse and other Germanic people believed that the runes were connected to divine powers. The runes were closely associated with magic. The secrets of reading and writing were also believed to hold deeper secrets. They were eventually used by the Norse, Anglo-Saxons, and Germans.įor over a thousand years, the runes evolved into writing styles that fit the needs of contemporary Germanic culture. The runes were created in the Roman era to write the earliest forms of the Germanic language. When it did, the Germanic people created their own form of writing. Like many developments, however, writing took longer to reach the people of Northern Europe. The letters devised by the Romans are still used in most of Europe today. Writing spread quickly throughout the Mediterranean. The ancient Mycenaeans, Minoans, and Greeks developed their own alphabets from the Phoenician system. Writing was introduced to the European continent by the Phoenicians in the Bronze Age.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |