Final answer:
The emergence of alphabets, beginning with the Phoenician alphabet, led to the Early Urban Phase, transformed communication, and allowed for a broader distribution of literacy and knowledge. It facilitated the recording of economic, legal, and literary texts, and its adaptations by the Greeks and later the Romans influenced many European languages, leading to significant cultural developments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emergence of alphabets led to a profound era of communication known as the Early Urban Phase, which included the development of writing for keeping economic records and creative literature. Around 1100 BCE, the Phoenicians invented the world's first known alphabet, composed of symbols representing consonant sounds. This system allowed more individuals to become literate as it was simpler than the Canaanite script it was based on. The Phoenicians used this writing system for efficient record-keeping, significantly contributing to their commercial success.
When the Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet, they modified it by adding vowels, leading to the creation of recorded Greek literature and ending the Aegean world's isolation during the eighth century BCE. This new writing system made it possible for Greeks to record literature, poetry, and drama, with the earliest surviving Greek literature dating from around 800 - 750 BCE. The trading interactions with the Phoenicians fundamentally shifted Greek society's specialization, particularly in the arts.
Ultimately, the Phoenician alphabet's influence extended to the Romans and most European languages, leaving a legacy that is still evident in our current writing and phonetic systems. The development of the alphabet allowed for the transmission and accessibility of knowledge across diverse societies, spurring on cultural and intellectual advancements throughout history.