Cyrillic script medieval

The medieval Cyrillic script, developed in the First Bulgarian Empire, was based on Greek uncial and Glagolitic to write Slavic languages.

About this subject

The medieval Cyrillic script was created in the late 9th century during the First Bulgarian Empire by disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius, mainly Saint Clement of Ohrid and Saint Naum. Unlike the Glagolitic alphabet, which was invented by Cyril and Methodius, Cyrillic adapted letters from the Greek uncial script and added characters for Slavic-specific sounds like Ш (sha) and Ц (tse). This writing system became official in the Bulgarian Empire and later spread to Kievan Rus', medieval Serbia, and other Orthodox Slavic states.

The primary function of medieval Cyrillic was liturgical: it was used to translate religious texts from Greek into Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of Orthodox Slavs. Notable manuscripts include the Savina Book and the Ostromir Gospels, showcasing Cyrillic calligraphy. Writing was done on parchment with iron-gall ink and red pigments for rubrics. Scribes often used abbreviations to save space and time.

A key curiosity: medieval Cyrillic lacked standard capital letters and punctuation. Words were separated by a middle dot or irregular spaces. Letterforms evolved by region: in Bulgaria they were rounder (uáquico style), while in Russia they became more angular (ustav) and later semi-ustav. The modern alphabets of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus directly descend from this medieval version, though reformed by Peter the Great and later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the medieval Cyrillic alphabet?

The medieval Cyrillic alphabet was developed in the 9th century in the First Bulgarian Empire, based on Greek uncial and Glagolitic, by disciples of Cyril and Methodius.

Who created the Cyrillic alphabet?

Saints Clement of Ohrid and Naum, disciples of Cyril and Methodius, are credited as the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet.

What was medieval Cyrillic used for?

It was primarily used for writing liturgical texts in Church Slavonic, the language of the Slavic Orthodox Church.