This paper aims to provide a critical survey of classical Latin literature—with a few insights into slightly later (i.e. Augustan or early imperial) literature—as transmitted in ancient manuscripts dating prior to the third century, i.e. in fragmentary papyrus rolls (and less often codices) mostly coming from the Roman East and palaeographically dating to between the first century BC and the end of the second century AD. Spellings and orthography are the focus, albeit other significant linguistic (especially lexical) features are discussed when they can offer clues to a more complex analysis of classical Latin.