This text makes use of contemporary work in linguistics to provide up-to-date commentary on the development of Latin, from its prehistoric origins in the Indo-European language family, through the earliest texts, to the creation of the Classical Language of Cicero and Vergil, and examines the impact of the spread of spoken Latin through the Roman Empire.

• The first book in English in more than 50 years to provide comprehensive coverage of the history of the Latin language
• Gives a full account of the transformation of the language in the context of the rise and fall of Ancient Rome
• Presents up-to-date commentary on the key linguistic issues
• Makes use of carefully selected texts, many of which have only recently come to light
• Includes maps and glossary as well as fully translated and annotated sample texts that illustrate the different stages of the language

• Accessible to readers without a formal knowledge of Latin or linguistics

• 这是50多年来第一本全面介绍拉丁语历史的英文书
• 全面介绍了古罗马兴衰背景下的语言变革情况
• 对关键的语言问题提出了最新的评论意见
• 利用精心挑选的文本，其中许多是最近才出现的。
• 包括地图和词汇表，以及完整的翻译和注释的样本文本，说明了语言的不同阶段。
• 没有正式的拉丁语或语言学知识的读者也可以阅读。