ITALA. - Title by which the ancient Latin version of the Bible, Vulgate (v.), was for a long time known. This terminology has now been replaced by that of “ancient Latin versions” or Vetus latina, or by “pre-Jerome versions,” since one cannot speak of a complete and homogeneous Latin translation of the Bible before s. Girolamo (v. LATINE, VERSIONI della BIBBIA).
The designation I. occurs only in an obscure passage of s. Agostino who, speaking of biblical versions, states: “In ipsis autem interpretationibus, i. ceteris praeferatur, nam est verborum tenacior cum perspicuitate sententiae” (De doctrina christiana, II, 15, 22:
PL 34, 46). According to some, s. Agostino would be indicating the superiority of the text widespread in Italy over the African one; according to others, with little likelihood, the new version of s. Girolamo. Finally, some regard the reading i. as a corruption of illa, unitata, or Aquila, even supposing a lacuna in the text.