History of Europe

What contributions did the Greeks make in language and literature?

Language

* The Greeks developed the first alphabet, which was based on the Phoenician alphabet. The Greek alphabet had 24 letters, and it was used to write both Greek and other languages.

* The Greeks also developed a system of grammar, which was based on the study of the Greek language. Greek grammar influenced the development of grammar in other languages, such as Latin and English.

Literature

* The Greeks wrote some of the most famous works of literature in history, including the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, the plays of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus, and the writings of Plato and Aristotle.

* Greek literature influenced the development of literature in other cultures, such as Rome and medieval Europe.

* The Greeks also developed the concept of literary criticism, which is the study of literature for its own sake.