The alphabet

The alphabet did not present any problem from the phonetic point of view, because it derives from the Greek, at the same time derives from the Phoenician similar to Italian. This alphabet results completely put in order in the VII cent. B.C., after that smaller changes due to local dialect.

Some models of alphabet have reached us: those engraved on an ivory tablet of Marsiliana of Albenga (VII cent B.C.) those chiselled on a small jar of Formello, in the area of Veio (VII cent.), those engraved together with a spelling book on a vase, discovered at Caere (Cerveteri), those discovered at Vulci, Gravisca, Roselle. The latter presented the complete series of letters purified from those never used or dead, and with adding a sign a form of 8 that sounded like our f and that had gradually substituted the Greek ph, that from the start the Etruscan had made with vh.

In this field the Etruscans covered the role in Italy which could be defined as a pilot. They adopted the alphabet, which they made a large use and they transmitted to the area that became slowly "Etruscan". That therefore could be used this great instrument of communication and they then learnt to write their texts.