Cuneiform was a writing system using wedge-shaped marks, which was used in ancient Mesopotamia. It was a complex system with hundreds of signs, making it difficult to learn and use.
The alphabet, which developed in the Phoenician region around the 11th century BC, was a much simpler system. It used a smaller number of symbols, each representing a single sound. This made it easier to learn and use, and it was quickly adopted by other cultures.
While the alphabet didn't completely replace cuneiform immediately, it eventually became the dominant writing system across the world. Cuneiform remained in use for some time, particularly for religious and administrative purposes, but it was eventually replaced by the alphabet.