Script - Imperial Aramaic

Imperial Aramaic is a historical script used primarily between the 8th and 4th centuries BCE across the Achaemenid Empire, serving as the administrative and diplomatic language of its vast territories. In the context of character encoding, this script value represents a distinct set of letters and numerals derived from Phoenician origins, which later influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and Brahmic writing systems. The value includes 31 characters, covering consonants, a unique vertical stroke as a word separator, and four numeral signs, all written right to left. It preserves the standardized forms found in imperial inscriptions and papyri, distinct from later cursive Aramaic variants. This designation helps identify and correctly render ancient texts, ensuring that digital representations maintain the visual and structural integrity of this once widespread lingua franca.