1. The Proto-Greek Period (c. 2000-1600 BCE)
* Proto-Greek was a hypothetical language that likely emerged from a proto-Indo-European language spoken in the pontic steppe region (modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia) around 4500 BCE.
* This means Greek is related to languages like Sanskrit, Latin, English, and Russian, all sharing a common ancestor.
* Proto-Greek speakers migrated southward, eventually settling in the Balkan peninsula and the Aegean islands.
2. The Mycenaean Period (c. 1600-1100 BCE)
* The Mycenaeans spoke a language called Mycenaean Greek, which was written using Linear B script.
* Linear B inscriptions reveal a society with complex social structures, trade networks, and religious practices.
* Mycenaean Greek is considered the earliest form of attested Greek, meaning we have written evidence of it.
3. The Dark Ages (c. 1100-800 BCE)
* The Mycenaean civilization collapsed, and the use of Linear B faded.
* This period saw the emergence of a new spoken Greek, possibly a simplified and reformed version of Mycenaean Greek. This is referred to as Proto-Greek, a different language than the earlier Proto-Greek.
* The transition from Mycenaean to later Greek is not fully understood, but there are likely significant changes in grammar and vocabulary.
4. The Archaic Period (c. 800-500 BCE)
* The Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet and began writing their language.
* The Homeric epics were written during this time, and the Greek language began to develop dialects, the most famous being Attic (the dialect of Athens).
* The Greeks started to colonize other regions of the Mediterranean, leading to the spread of the Greek language and the development of regional dialects.
5. The Classical Period (c. 500-323 BCE)
* Attic Greek became the dominant language of literature and scholarship, influencing other dialects.
* The works of great Greek writers like Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, and Euripides were written in Attic Greek, which became the foundation of the later Koine Greek.
6. The Koine Period (c. 300 BCE - 600 CE)
* Koine Greek, meaning "common Greek", emerged as a simplified and standardized form of the language, used in the expanding Hellenistic world.
* Koine was the language of the New Testament and of trade and administration in the Roman Empire.
7. The Byzantine Period (c. 600-1453 CE)
* Byzantine Greek evolved from Koine Greek, becoming the official language of the Byzantine Empire.
* Byzantine Greek is the language of the Byzantine literary tradition and the Orthodox Church.
8. Modern Greek (1453 CE to present)
* After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greek continued to evolve, influenced by Turkish and other languages.
* Modern Greek is the official language of Greece and Cyprus, with millions of speakers worldwide.
It's important to note that this is a simplified summary. The development of the Greek language is a long and complex process with ongoing scholarly debate and research.