Old Latin

For the Old Latin Bible used before the Vulgate, see Vetus Latina.

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Old Latin or Early Latin refers to the period of Latin texts before the age of Classical Latin.

Phonological characteristics of older Latin are the case endings -os and -om (later Latin -us and -um), as well as the existence of diphthongs such as oi and ei (later Latin ū or oe, and ī). In many locations, classical Latin turned intervocalic /s/ into /r/. This had implications for declension: early classical Latin, honos, honoris; Classical honor, honoris ("honour"). Some Old Latin texts preserve /s/ in this position, such as the Carmen Arvale's lases for lares.

Notable Old Latin fragments:

• The Praeneste fibula (not authentic, but a forgery)
• The Duenos inscription (6th or 7th century BC)
• The Forum inscription (illustration, right) (circa 550 BC)
• The Lapis Satricanus
• The Castor-Pollux dedication (circa 500 BC)
• The Tibur pedestal (5th century BC)
• The Garigliano Bowl
• The Vase Inscription from Ardea
• The Corcolle Altar fragments
• The Carmen Arvale
• The preserved fragments of the laws of the Twelve Tables (traditionally, 449 BC, attested much later)
• The Senatusconsultum de Bacchanalibus (186 BC)

Writers of later, but still early Latin:

• Plautus (3rd–2nd century BC)
• Cato the Elder (234–149 BC)

See also

• Saturnian (verse form)