Old Latin
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Old Latin, also known as Early, Archaic or Priscan Latin, was the Latin language in the period roughly before 75 BC, i.e. before the age of Classical Latin. A member of the Italic languages, it descen
The Duenos inscription, one of the earliest Old Latin texts
The Praeneste Fibula, the earliest known specimen of the Latin language and dated to the first half of the seventh century BC.
The Forum inscription (Lapis Niger, "black stone"), one of the oldest known Latin inscriptions, from the 6th century BC; it is written boustrophedon, albeit irregularly; from a rubbing by Domenico Comparetti.
The Duenos Inscription on a trio of three globular kernos vases
Classical Latin
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Classical Latin is the form of Latin recognized as a literary standard by writers of the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. It developed around 75 BC from Old Latin, and developed by the 3rd
Old Latin
…Latin (Classical Latin: prīsca Latīnitās, lit. 'ancient Latinity'), was the Latin language in the period roughly before 75 BC, i.e. before the age of Classical Latin. A member of the Italic languages, it descends from a common Proto-Italic language; Latino-Faliscan is a separate branch from Osco-Umbrian. All these…
Latin inscription in the Colosseum
David Ruhnken
Wilhelm Sigismund Teuffel
At Maecenas' Reception, oil, Stefan Bakałowicz, 1890. An artist's view of the classical. Maecenas knew and entertained everyone literary in the Golden Age, especially Augustus.