Writing in Egypt: Latin

Latin is the spoken and written language of ancient Rome. It is the administrative language and script used in the western part of the Roman Empire, while in the Eastern part of the Empire Greek was the main language. The first Latin inscription (found in Italy) is datable to about 620-600 BC. The alphabet is very much influenced by the Etruscan alphabet (Caeretan).

There are some Latin inscriptions from Egypt, many on small objects, maybe not originally produced in Egypt. Latin inscriptions in Egypt are very often connected with the presence of military.

example of a Latin inscription

Wallace 1989 (on the origins of Latin)

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