Ancient Script Converters and Word Finders
These tools cover the writing systems of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, from the syllable signs of Babylonian cuneiform and the uniliteral signs of Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Phoenician alphabet that became Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Two word finders cover the medieval Germanic languages: Old English and Old Norse.
We are careful about what each tool does. The script converters write your words in another writing system, sound by sound; they do not translate into a dead language. The word finders look up real dictionary words, with notes on grammar where a word-for-word answer would mislead.
- Gothic Alphabet TranslatorWulfila's 4th-century alphabet for the Gothic Bible.
- Phoenician Alphabet TranslatorThe 22-letter ancestor of Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
- Greek Alphabet ConverterRead Ancient Greek in Latin letters, or spell names in Greek.
- Cuneiform TranslatorSpell names in Babylonian syllable signs.
- Hieroglyphics TranslatorWrite your name in a cartouche with the hieroglyphic alphabet.
Writing systems compared
| Script | Type | Direction | Earliest use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuneiform | Word signs and syllables | Left to right | c. 3300 BC |
| Egyptian hieroglyphs | Word signs and consonant signs | Either direction or columns | c. 3200 BC |
| Phoenician | Consonant alphabet (abjad) | Right to left | c. 1050 BC |
| Greek | Full alphabet with vowels | Left to right (after early experiments) | c. 800 BC |
| Gothic | Full alphabet | Left to right | 4th century AD |
For the story of how one became the next, read From Phoenician to Latin: How the Alphabet Spread. To learn how the oldest two worked, see How Cuneiform Works: Word Signs, Syllables and Determinatives and How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Beginner's Guide.