Over time, the use of letters spread to other civilizations around the world. In ancient Egypt, hieroglyphics were used to write letters on papyrus scrolls. In ancient Greece, the Greeks developed an alphabet and used it to write letters on wax tablets. And in ancient Rome, the Romans used a cursive script to write letters on parchment.
The development of paper in China around the 2nd century BC made it possible to produce letters more easily and cheaply, which led to a wider use of letters for personal and literary purposes. In the Middle Ages, letters were often used by scholars and religious leaders to communicate with each other. And by the Renaissance, letters were being used by a wider range of people, including merchants, artists, and diplomats.
Today, letters are still used for a variety of purposes, both personal and professional. They can be handwritten or typed, and they can be sent through the mail, electronically, or even by social media.