Cyrillic script medieval

The medieval Cyrillic script, created in the First Bulgarian Empire, was essential for writing Slavic languages and spreading Orthodox Christianity.

About this subject

The Cyrillic script emerged around the 9th century in the First Bulgarian Empire as an adaptation of the Greek uncial alphabet, supplemented with letters for Slavic sounds. Unlike Glagolitic, created by Saints Cyril and Methodius, Cyrillic was developed by their disciples, such as Clement of Ohrid, and named in honor of Saint Cyril. During the medieval period, Cyrillic was used in religious manuscripts, literature, and official documents, primarily in Bulgaria, Serbia, Russia, and other Slavic countries. The script featured angular and ornate letterforms, including characters like Ѧ (small yus) and Ѫ (big yus) that later fell out of use. The oldest known Cyrillic manuscript is the Samuil Inscription, dated 993, found in North Macedonia. Beyond Slavic languages, medieval Cyrillic was also employed to write Old Romanian in Wallachia and Moldavia before the adoption of the Latin alphabet. The script's influence spread to Central Asia through the expansion of the Russian Empire. Today, modern Cyrillic retains many foundations of the medieval system, but with simplifying reforms carried out by Peter the Great in the 18th century and later in the Soviet Union.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Cyrillic and Glagolitic scripts?

Glagolitic was created by Cyril and Methodius for religious translations, but Cyrillic, developed by their disciples, was based on Greek and became more widespread among Slavs.

Where was the oldest Cyrillic manuscript found?

The Samuil Inscription, dated 993, was found in the region of North Macedonia and is considered the oldest known Cyrillic text.

Was medieval Cyrillic the same as modern Cyrillic?

No. Medieval Cyrillic had archaic letters like Ѧ and Ѫ, and more ornate forms. Later reforms simplified the alphabet.