Linear B

Definition

Linear B is a syllabic script used in Mycenaean Greek, primarily during the Late Bronze Age, that was used for writing on clay tablets. It is significant as it provides insights into the administrative practices, economic transactions, and cultural aspects of Mycenaean society, marking a crucial transition in the historical development of ancient Greek civilization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Linear B was primarily used for administrative purposes, recording transactions and inventories related to agricultural products and resources.
2. The script consists of around 200 symbols, representing syllables and ideograms, making it one of the earliest forms of Greek writing.
3. Linear B tablets were typically made of clay and often found in palace archives across Mycenaean sites like Knossos and Pylos.
4. The use of Linear B signifies a shift from oral traditions to written documentation in Mycenaean culture, reflecting the complexity of their society.
5. After the Bronze Age Collapse around 1200 BCE, Linear B fell out of use, leading to a loss of written records until the later development of the Greek alphabet.

Review Questions

• How did Linear B influence our understanding of Mycenaean administration and economy?
  • Linear B provides critical insights into Mycenaean administration and economy through its detailed records on clay tablets. These tablets document various economic transactions, including inventory lists and agricultural production, allowing historians to understand how resources were managed and allocated within Mycenaean society. By studying these records, we can better grasp the complexities of governance and trade during this period.
• Discuss the significance of the decipherment of Linear B and its impact on our knowledge of ancient Greek language and culture.
  • The decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris was a groundbreaking achievement that transformed our understanding of ancient Greek language and culture. It confirmed that Mycenaean Greek is an early form of the Greek language, establishing a direct link between this ancient civilization and later classical Greek culture. This discovery enriched our knowledge of social structures, religious practices, and daily life in Mycenaean society by providing access to a wealth of written documentation.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the decline in the use of Linear B after the Bronze Age Collapse on the transmission of knowledge in ancient Greece.
  • The decline in the use of Linear B following the Bronze Age Collapse had significant long-term effects on the transmission of knowledge in ancient Greece. As written records ceased with the fall of Mycenaean civilization, much information about administration, economy, and culture was lost. This period marked a transition into a largely oral culture until the re-emergence of writing with the introduction of the Greek alphabet centuries later. Consequently, this gap in literacy likely contributed to shifts in cultural continuity and identity as new societies emerged during the Dark Ages.

Related terms

Mycenaean Civilization:

An advanced civilization in ancient Greece that flourished from approximately 1600 to 1100 BCE, known for its palatial states, art, and trade networks.

Pictographic Writing: An early form of writing that uses pictures or symbols to represent objects and concepts, often seen as a precursor to more complex writing systems like Linear B.

Decipherment: The process of interpreting and understanding written scripts; Linear B was successfully deciphered by Michael Ventris in the 1950s, revealing its connection to the Greek language.