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How did the Greek alphabet influence the development of the Old Georgian script?
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The Old Georgian script is widely considered to have been derived from the Greek alphabet. This influence is primarily evidenced by two key factors:12
- Alphabetical Order: The sequence of the letters in the Old Georgian script mirrors the traditional order of the Greek alphabet.12
- Character Morphology: The shape of several individual characters shows a clear resemblance to Greek letters.12
Despite these structural and sequential similarities, the majority of the signs in the Old Georgian script feature an angular design that appears to be the result of a free, original creation by the script's inventor rather than a direct copy of Greek forms. This ancient system, which dates back to the 5th century, served as the foundation for the later development of the round-form cursive script used in modern Georgian writing.12