Theories about the origins of Proto-Greek:
* The "Kurgan Hypothesis": This theory proposes that Proto-Indo-European, the ancestor of all Indo-European languages, originated in the Pontic-Caspian steppe around 4500 BCE. Proto-Greek is then believed to have branched off from this ancestral language, and its speakers migrated southward to the Greek peninsula.
* The "Anatolian Hypothesis": This theory suggests that Proto-Indo-European originated in Anatolia (modern Turkey), and Proto-Greek evolved within this region.
The emergence of Ancient Greek:
* Around the 10th century BCE, Proto-Greek developed into Mycenaean Greek, a language documented in Linear B, a script used for writing on clay tablets.
* After the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, Ancient Greek emerged as a new dialect.
* Classical Greek, the language of literature and philosophy in ancient Greece, arose in the 8th century BCE.
The evolution of Modern Greek:
* Koine Greek, a common language that emerged in the 3rd century BCE, became the language of the Eastern Roman Empire.
* Modern Greek evolved from Koine Greek, with influences from Latin, Turkish, and other languages.
It's important to note that the specific origins of Proto-Greek remain uncertain. While the Kurgan and Anatolian hypotheses are the most prominent theories, there are other theories and ongoing research into the origins of Indo-European languages.