Linear B Script

Definition

Linear B is an ancient script used primarily for writing Mycenaean Greek, a form of the Greek language, during the late Bronze Age. This syllabic script is significant because it provides insights into Mycenaean civilization, including their administrative practices, economic transactions, and social structure, showcasing the complexity of their society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Linear B was deciphered in the early 20th century by Michael Ventris, revealing that it represented an early form of the Greek language.
2. The script consists of around 200 signs, each representing a syllable or ideogram, which were inscribed on clay tablets primarily for administrative purposes.
3. Linear B was used mainly in the palatial centers of Mycenaean Greece, such as Knossos and Pylos, indicating a highly organized bureaucratic system.
4. Most of the surviving Linear B texts deal with economic transactions, including records of goods, inventory lists, and allocation of resources.
5. The use of Linear B declined after the fall of the Mycenaean civilization around 1100 BCE, leading to a period of decreased literacy and record-keeping in ancient Greece.

Review Questions

• How did Linear B script contribute to our understanding of Mycenaean civilization's administrative practices?
  • Linear B script is crucial for understanding Mycenaean administrative practices because it provides direct evidence of how they organized their economy and managed resources. The tablets written in Linear B reveal detailed records of goods, allocations, and inventories that illustrate a complex bureaucratic system. These findings indicate that the Mycenaeans had advanced administrative capabilities essential for managing their palatial centers and sustaining trade.
• In what ways did the discovery and decipherment of Linear B impact historical perspectives on ancient Greek languages?
  • The discovery and decipherment of Linear B significantly altered historical perspectives on ancient Greek languages by confirming that Mycenaean Greek was spoken well before the classical Greek period. This provided scholars with evidence that Greek has a much older origin than previously understood. It also opened new avenues for studying the evolution of the language and its dialects, highlighting the continuity and change in Greek linguistic history.
• Evaluate the significance of Linear B as a primary source for understanding economic structures in Mycenaean society and its implications for later Greek cultures.
  • Linear B serves as a vital primary source for understanding the economic structures of Mycenaean society, revealing how they managed trade, resources, and labor. The extensive records found in Linear B tablets highlight a sophisticated economy with organized administration that influenced later Greek cultures. This economic foundation helped shape social hierarchies and trade practices in subsequent periods, illustrating a legacy that contributed to the development of Classical Greece's more complex socio-economic systems.

Related terms

Mycenaean Civilization: An ancient Greek civilization that flourished from approximately 1600 to 1100 BCE, known for its palatial centers, advanced architecture, and extensive trade networks.

Pylos: One of the major Mycenaean palatial centers where numerous Linear B tablets were discovered, providing valuable information about the administration and economy of Mycenaean society.

Syllabary: A set of written symbols that represent syllables, used in Linear B script to denote sounds in the Mycenaean Greek language.