Gender and declension variation in early Latin

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine variations of gender and declension in the Early Latin period. The ancient grammarians have amassed a vast number of nouns exhibiting either or both phenomena. It is therefore essential first of all to establish the facts. For this reason, the whole of Early Latin literature down to ap-proximately 80 B.C. has been subjected to a thorough scrutiny. The results of this investigation are presented in Part I in the following order: -1) Words showing gender variation. 2) Words showing declension variation. 3) Words showing variation in both of these phenomena. On the basis of this foundation, Part II attempts an explanation of part of the instances as far as this is possible. In it previous work is discussed and also new suggestions are made.