In the Greek alphabet (also called Ionic alphabet) there are 7 letters representing vowels (in Greek φωνήεντα, sounding), two more than in Latin. Such difference is due to the fact that Greek has two different letters for both the E and the O sounds, so as to differentiate the corresponding short vowels from the long vowels.
Greek vowels can be classified according to three criteria, based on length, sound quality and timbre respectively, as shown in the following table:
| Criterion | Type | Vowels |
|---|---|---|
| Length or quantity | Long | η ω |
| Short | ε ο |
|
| Variable (short or long) | α ι υ |
|
| Sound quality | Open | α ε η ο ω |
| Close | ι υ |
|
| Timbre | Light | ε η ι |
| Middle | α |
|
| Dark | ο ω υ |
Keep in mind that variable vowels (α ι υ) can be either short (ᾰ ῐ ῠ ) or long (ᾱ ῑ ῡ) depending on the stem or ending they belong to. Determining the length of vowels is important, and not only for the analysis of metrical patterns in poems. Indeed, rules that state position and type of accent on words are based on the length of the last (ultima) and second last (penult) syllable. A good dictionary will provide guidance on doubtful cases, for it shows vowel quantity, at least on uncertain vowels.
It might be worthwhile to recall that in the Attic dialect long alpha ᾱ changes to η, if not preceded by ε, ι or ρ and it is also referred to as alfa pure; while it is sometimes referred to as eta pure when η is retained in all singular cases. Consequently, α must be considered short in Attic when it is not preceded by ε, ι or ρ, for it would have changed to η if long.
Considering the dissimilarities among the various Greek dialects, it has to be remembered that longᾱ (whether retained or changed to η) is highly characteristic, as long ± is the ending of many first declension feminine nouns.The following table shows alpha and the related changes:
| Alfa | Earliest form | Attic | Ionic | Other dialects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Example |
Result |
Example |
Result |
Example |
Result |
Example |
|
Pure |
*ἱστορίᾱ, history |
ᾱ |
ἱστορίᾱ |
η |
ἱστορίη |
ᾱ |
ἱστορίᾱ |
Impure (not preceded by ε, ι or ρ) |
*δίκᾱ, justice |
η |
δίκη |
η |
δίκη |
ᾱ |
δίκᾱ |
As you can see, long ᾱ differs in Ionic and Attic in that ᾱ always changes to η in Ionic, while in Attic ᾱ changes to η only if not preceded by ε, ι or ρ. Conversely, other dialects (e.g.: Eolic and Doric) always retain ᾱ.
The distinction between open (α ε η ο ω) and close vowels (ι υ) is of crucial importance for the purpose of determining diphthongs, which are dealt with separately on a separate page.