Classical Latin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Classical Latin |
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| LINGVA LATINA, lingua latina | |
Latin inscription in the Colosseum
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| Native to | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Region | Mare Nostrum region |
| Era | 75 BC to AD 3rd century, when it developed into Late Latin |
| Language family |
Indo-European
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| Early forms: |
Old Latin
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| Writing system | Classical Latin alphabet |
| Official status | |
| Official language in | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Regulated by | Schools of grammar and rhetoric |
| Linguist List | lat-cla |
| Linguasphere | 51-AAB-aaa |
The range of Latin, AD 60
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Classical Latin was a special way of speaking and writing Latin. It was used by the Romans a long, long time ago. This version of Latin was important for official records and the Roman army. It was also the language of amazing books and poems.
This period, from about 75 BC to the early 1st century AD, is called the "Golden Age" of Latin literature. Many famous Roman writers lived and worked during this time.
Classical Latin is now considered a "dead language". This means no one speaks it as their first language anymore. It's like Vulgar Latin, which was the everyday language of regular people in the Roman Empire.
Even though it's not spoken daily, Classical Latin is still very important. It is the official language of the Vatican. This is a small country inside Rome, where the Pope lives. Church officials there still use Latin.
Images for kids
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David Ruhnken was a scholar who studied classical texts.
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Wilhelm Sigismund Teuffel was another important scholar of classical languages.
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At Maecenas' Reception, painted by Stefan Bakałowicz in 1890. This painting shows how artists imagined the classical world. Maecenas was a rich Roman who supported many writers during the Golden Age.
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Marcus Tullius Cicero was a famous Roman statesman and writer. A scholar named Teuffel named a period of the Golden Age after him.
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Julius Caesar was a powerful Roman general and leader.
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Tiberius was the second Roman emperor. He limited free speech, which some historians believe led to changes in Latin writing style.
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Marcus Aurelius was an emperor who lived during the last generation of classical writers. He was also a classicist himself.
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Germanicus Caesar was a popular Roman general.
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An ancient bust of Seneca. He was a Roman philosopher and playwright.
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A sketch of Apuleius, a Roman writer and philosopher.
