How did Roman scholars apply textual criticism to Latin literature?

Roman scholars approached textual criticism by adopting and adapting the systematic techniques developed by Greek scholars in Alexandria. This process involved applying Hellenistic methods of analysis, grammar, and terminology to Latin literature.12

Key aspects of their practice included:

• Systematic Study: Roman scholars, such as Lucius Aelius Stilo Praeconinus, pioneered the systematic study of Latin philology, grammar, and the authenticity of literary works—most notably his investigation into the comedies of Plautus.3
• Critical Editions: During the early imperial period, scholars like Marcus Valerius Probus produced critical editions of major authors, including Virgil, Horace, and Lucretius.2
• Methodology: Following the Alexandrian tradition, Roman editors aimed for fidelity to the text. They constituted texts based on the oldest and most reliable copies available, rather than relying on subjective conjecture.1
• Commentary: Interpretative and textual commentaries were often kept separate from the primary text, with critical signs used to link the two, ensuring the original work remained distinct from the scholar's analysis.1

This tradition of respecting the exemplar and using comparison with other manuscripts became a foundational legacy for later scholarship.1