Greek Ancient Keyboard Online
Type in Greek Ancient Online using the virtual keyboard below and then copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is polytonic Greek?
This keyboard is for 'polytonic' (many tones) orthography, which was used for Ancient Greek. It uses multiple diacritics to mark pitch accent and breathing marks, unlike modern Greek which uses a simpler 'monotonic' system.
What are the breathing marks 'ἁ' and 'ἀ'?
These are called 'spiritus'. The rough breathing mark ('ἁ') indicates an 'h' sound at the beginning of a word. The smooth breathing mark ('ἀ') indicates the absence of an 'h' sound. They are only used on initial vowels.
What are the accent marks like 'ά', 'ᾶ', and 'ὰ'?
Ancient Greek had a pitch accent system. The acute accent ('ά') marked a high pitch, the circumflex ('ᾶ') marked a rising-then-falling pitch, and the grave accent ('ὰ') typically appeared in place of an acute on the final syllable of a word before another word.
Why are there so many pre-combined characters?
To make typing easier, this keyboard provides characters that are pre-combined with common breathing and accent marks (e.g., 'ἃ' or 'ἥ'). This saves you from having to add them separately.
Can I type modern Greek with this?
While you could, it would be inefficient. This keyboard is specialized for the complex diacritics of Ancient Greek. We have a separate, simpler keyboard for 'Modern Greek'.
What is the iota subscript, like in 'ῳ'?
The iota subscript (a tiny 'ι' written below a long vowel) represents a historical diphthong that is no longer pronounced but is crucial for correct classical spelling and grammar.
Is this keyboard good for studying Homer or Plato?
Absolutely! It's designed for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of classical literature, philosophy, and history who need to type Ancient Greek text accurately.
Does this keyboard have a phonetic typing mode?
No, due to the complexity of the polytonic system, a direct phonetic mode is not practical. It's best to use the virtual keyboard to select the precise characters and diacritics you need.
Are there capital letters?
Yes, Ancient Greek has capital letters. However, this keyboard focuses on the more commonly used lowercase letters and their many diacritical combinations.
How do I type a question mark in Ancient Greek?
The question mark in Greek, both ancient and modern, is the semicolon ';'. A period is a standard '.'.
What is the difference between 'ο' and 'ω'?
Both make an 'o' sound, but 'omicron' (ο) represents a short 'o' sound, while 'omega' (ω) represents a long 'o' sound. This distinction was important for the rhythm of ancient poetry.
Do I need to install any special fonts?
Most modern operating systems include fonts that can render polytonic Greek correctly, such as 'Times New Roman' or 'Noto Serif'. Our tool should work without any extra installations.
Why would anyone need to type in Ancient Greek today?
It's essential for academics in fields like classics, theology, history, and philosophy to quote original texts. It's also used by hobbyists and students learning the language.
Can I copy and paste the text from this keyboard?
Yes, all the characters are standard Unicode. You can type your text here, then copy and paste it into a word processor or academic paper.
How can I learn where all the accents go?
The rules for accentuation in Ancient Greek are quite complex and are a major part of learning the language. This keyboard provides the tools to write them, but you'll need a grammar book to learn the rules!