A Primer on Ugaritic: Language, Culture, and Literature - enenuru

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School Texts
Introducing the Language and Alphabet
2.1 INTRODUCING THE ALPHABET
The Ugaritic language is written in alphabetic cuneiform. This was
an innovative blending of an alphabetic script (like Hebrew) and
cuneiform (like Akkadian). The development of alphabetic
cuneiform seems to reflect a decline in the use of Akkadian as a
lingua franca and a transition to alphabetic scripts in the eastern
Mediterranean. Ugaritic, as both a cuneiform and alphabetic script,
bridges the cuneiform and alphabetic cultures of the ancient Near
East.
2.2 THE LANGUAGES AND LANGUAGE OF UGARIT
As a hub of commerce in the ancient Near East, it is hardly
surprising that several languages and scripts were discovered in the
excavations at Ras Shamra (see chart below). Ugaritic was the
native language used in local affairs and religion. Akkadian was
employed for international diplomacy and commerce, especially
with Mesopotamia.
LANGUAGE SCRIPT
Ugaritic Alphabetic Cuneiform
Hurrian Alphabetic Cuneiform
Hittite Alphabetic Cuneiform
Akkadian Cuneiform
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