Was Classical (Late Republican) Latin A ‘Standard Language’?*

Abstract This article considers the applicability of the term ‘standard language' to classical Latin. The primary topic is spelling. An extensive sample of primary documents in the last two centuries BC and into the early Empire is examined to assess whether there was a genuinely standardised official variety. The paper also deals with morphological (including gender) standardisation, and considers the views of different grammarians and ancient commentators. Finally, the question of linguistic ‘purity' is addressed with reference to the avoidance or elimination of Greek loanwords.