Portal:Latin language and literature

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Latin language and literature

Latin is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. The Latin alphabet is derived from the Etruscan and Greek alphabets, and ultimately from the Phoenician alphabet. Latin was originally spoken in the area surrounding Rome, known as Latium. Through the power of the Roman Republic, it became the dominant language, initially in Italy and subsequently throughout the western Roman Empire.

By the late Roman Republic (75 BCE), Old Latin had been standardised into Classical Latin. Vulgar Latin was the colloquial form spoken during the same time and attested in inscriptions and the works of comic playwrights like Plautus and Terence. Vulgar Latin developed into the Romance languages, such as Italian, Spanish, and French.

Late Latin is the written language from the 3rd to the 9th century, followed by Medieval Latin and Renaissance Latin. During this time, Latin was used as the language of international communication and scholarship until well into the 18th century, when it was supplanted by vernaculars. Later forms of Latin are termed Early Modern and Modern. Ecclesiastical Latin remains the official language of the Holy See and the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.

This section only includes English translations of Latin texts, and works written in English. For texts in Latin, see Latin Wikisource.

This section only includes English translations. For Latin texts, consult Latin Wikisource

Language

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Literature by era

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Ancient literature

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Early Christian literature

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Medieval literature

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Early Modern literature

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Early Modern arts and science

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Modern literature

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Literature by type

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Inscriptions

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Poetry

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Biographies

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Legislation

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Miscellaneous literature

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Collections of Latin literature

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Works about Latin literature

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Reference

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See also

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