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 Old 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).

Notable Old Latin fragments:

• The Praeneste fibula (not authentic, but a forgery)
• The Duenos inscription (6th or 7th century BC)
• The Forum inscription (circa 550 BC)
• The Castor-Pollux dedication (circa 500 BC)
• The Tibur pedestal (5th century BC)

Old Latin texts:

• The Senatusconsultum de Bacchanalibus (186 BC)

Ages of Latin
—75 BC	75 BC – 1st c.	2nd c. – 8th c.	9th c. – 16th c.	17th c. – present
Old Latin	Golden Age Latin Silver Age Latin (Classical Latin)	Late Latin	Medieval Latin	New Latin