Old Latin

Praeneste fibula

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Forum inscription

Duenos

Old latin diphthongs nochar

Old Latin, also known as Early Latin or Archaic Latin, refers to the Latin language in the period before 75 BC. Old Latin differs from both the Classical Latin that followed it and the Vulgar Latin that evolved into the Romance languages. This period saw Latin transition from a local dialect of the Latium region in central Italy to the official language of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

Characteristics

Old Latin exhibits many characteristics that distinguish it from Classical Latin, reflecting its development and the influences of neighboring languages such as Etruscan and Greek. Some notable features include:

• Variability in the use of endings and case declensions.
• The presence of archaic vocabulary not found in later Latin.
• Differences in syntax and grammar.
• The use of certain letters, such as the digamma, which disappeared in later Latin.

Texts and Inscriptions

The corpus of Old Latin texts and inscriptions is relatively limited. Important sources include the Twelve Tables, a codification of Roman law from the 5th century BC, and religious texts such as the Carmen Saliare. Other sources are inscriptions on monuments and pottery, which provide valuable insights into the language's early form and usage.

Evolution into Classical Latin

The transition from Old Latin to Classical Latin was gradual and involved both linguistic evolution and the standardization of the language. The work of writers such as Cicero and Caesar played a crucial role in this process, as their styles became models for later generations. The establishment of the Roman educational system, which emphasized grammar and rhetoric, also contributed to the development of a more standardized form of Latin.

Legacy

Old Latin's legacy is evident in the foundational texts of Roman culture and law, as well as in the etymology of many Modern English words. Its study provides insights into the linguistic and cultural development of ancient Rome and the evolution of Latin into the language of a vast empire.