Old Latin

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

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)