The Aramaic alphabet is a writing system that originated in ancient Aram around the 10th century BCE. It is a consonantal alphabet, meaning it primarily represents consonants, with vowels often implied. The script has evolved over time and has influenced several other writing systems, including the Hebrew and Arabic alphabets. Historically, the Aramaic language was widely spoken in the Near East and served as a lingua franca during the Achaemenid Empire. The alphabet itself consists of 22 letters and is written from right to left. Today, it is still used in some religious texts and communities, particularly among Jewish and Christian groups.