A Grammar of Oscan and Umbrian: With a Collection of Inscriptions and a Glossary

Even after a century, Buck's Grammar of Oscan and Umbrian is still regarded as the authoritative English treatment of these languages, which were spoken on the Italian peninsula during the Roman Republic (509 B.C. through 31 B.C.). Buck's introduction gives general information on orthography and lists key similarities and differences between these two languages, with comparisons with Latin. The grammar features an extensive 80-page section on phonology, followed by an equally detailed 100 pages on grammatical inflection and syntax. A collection of the most important inscriptions in Oscan and Umbrian follows, with a separate glossary for each language. Buck's work also features photographs and illustrations of important inscriptions, as well as a map. This reprint of the 1904 edition is an indispensable resource for the study of the Italic dialects of pre-Roman Italy.