Eteo-Cypriot

Eteo-Cypriot: The Pre-Hellenic Language of Cyprus

Eteo-Cypriot was a pre-Hellenic language spoken in Cyprus during the Iron Age, representing the indigenous linguistic heritage of the island before Greek colonization. The term "Eteo-" means "true" and refers to the native, non-Greek languages of the region, similar to "Eteocretan" used in Crete.

Eteo-Cypriot inscription from Amathus, Cyprus.

Eteo-Cypriot was spoken in Cyprus during the Iron Age, predating the arrival of Greek colonists. From the 10th century BC, it faced increasing pressure from Arcadocyprian Greek, the language of Greek settlers, and gradually declined until its extinction by the 4th century BC. The language's origins remain mysterious, with some linguists suggesting connections to the Lemnos inscription or Etruscan, while others propose links to Semitic languages. However, these theories lack conclusive evidence due to limited surviving texts.

Ruins of Amathus, Cyprus.

Eteo-Cypriot was written using the Cypriot syllabary, a script distinct from the Greek alphabet. It is speculated that this syllabary evolved from the Cypro-Minoan syllabary, itself a variant of Minoan Linear A. The script is known from a small number of inscriptions, some of which are bilingual, featuring both Eteo-Cypriot and Greek texts.

Example of the Cypriot syllabary used in Eteo-Cypriot inscriptions.

The most notable Eteo-Cypriot inscription is a marble slab discovered in 1913 at the acropolis of Amathus, dating to around 600 BC. This bilingual inscription includes both Eteo-Cypriot and Attic Greek, providing valuable insights into the language. Other inscriptions are scarce, limiting our understanding of Eteo-Cypriot vocabulary and grammar.

Representation of the Amathus acropolis, where the bilingual inscription was found.

The nature and origin of Eteo-Cypriot remain enigmatic due to the scarcity of surviving texts. While some scholars propose links to languages like Etruscan or Semitic, these hypotheses are unconfirmed. The language is primarily known through a few inscriptions, and its connection to the Cypro-Minoan syllabary suggests a deep-rooted indigenous tradition, but further evidence is needed to clarify its linguistic affiliations.

Archaeological context of Eteo-Cypriot studies.

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What script was used to write Eteo-Cypriot?

Greek alphabet

Cypriot syllabary

Linear B

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• Eteo-Cypriot Language - Wikipedia
• Video on Eteo-Cypriot and Cypriot archaeology

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Pelasgians and their language.

The Pelasgian issue is very hazy even since the times of Classical Greece.

Ancient Greeks called Pelasgian either the anscestors of the Hellenes or the Pre-Greek population inhabiting the Greek peninsula.

The Athenians considered themselves indigenous of Pelasgian origin. Some Pelasgians still lived in Athens during Classical times along the Hellenes. 

They were resettled to the Hellespont and judging by their incomprehensible language the father of history Herodotus assumed that they were barbarian initially who relearned the language shifting to Greek.

Nevertheless there is evidence that the Pelasgian language had Greek like features. Herodotus also mentions that Pelasgians called their gods 'theoi' a clearly Greek word.

 

Many other areas of Greece were considered being Pelasgian in very old times -Thessaly, Arcadia,the islands of the Aegean and many more.

Even the Aeolians were considered initially Pelasgian.

According to Ancient Greeks Pelasgians also lived in Etruria , North Italy. That is interesting because an inscription in an unknown language written in the Greek alphabet and  found in Lemnos, an Aegean island considered to be initially Pelasgian, seems to be related to Etruscan.

Today the Pelasgian or Pre-Greek issue is put on a new basis. Recent research sheds new light to the pre-Greek substratum. There seems to be a significant substratum which is also Indo-European and that is the Luwian language or a related one.

Pre-Greek place names.

The Luwian substratum spreads also over the place the Greek peninsula, the Aegean islands and even most of Anatolia.

The Aegean and the area around it is full of Pre-Greek names containing the letters ss,tt,nth,nd,ns like Tylissos,Tyrins, Parnassus,Hymmettus and many more that  can explained with Luwian.

It wouldn't be surprising even if the elusive Minoan language turns out to be also Indo-European related to Luwian.

The above mentioned cannot exclude the possibility of indigenous populations living in the area before the Luwian arrival.

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