This paper offers a preliminary linguistic analysis of votive texts with particular
reference to their use of and variation in Latin. The aim of the linguistic analysis
is to identify variation in the context of votive texts. In those votive inscriptions
which contained a request, precise wording was considered crucial for the request
to reach the gods. Therefore, schematic, formulaic wording is common. The epigraphic
corpus under study shows various Vulgar Latin traits. The incorporation of ‘non-Roman’
or pre-Roman cults into Latin caused the greatest problems, with most variations occurring
in the names of such gods. Since the names of these gods are not included in literary
sources, our primary sources for these cults are inscriptions and they show characteristics
of Vulgar Latin.
