Definition

1. Noun: The form of the Latin language used in the literary works of ancient Rome from approximately the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is considered the standard, most refined, and enduring form of Latin, used by educated Romans and in official documents, rhetoric, and poetry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The poetry of Virgil and the speeches of Cicero are written in Classical Latin.
  • Students of ancient history often learn Classical Latin to read primary sources.
  • Classical Latin differs from the earlier Old Latin and the later Vulgar Latin.

Advanced Usage

• "to write/speak in Classical Latin": to use the specific grammatical and stylistic norms of the classical period.
  • The scholar composed the inscription in flawless Classical Latin.
• As a standard for correctness: Classical Latin is often held as the model of grammatical purity against which later forms are compared.
  • Medieval Latin often deviated from the strict rules of Classical Latin.

Variants and Related Words

• Latin (n): The broader Italic language of ancient Rome and its empire, of which Classical Latin is one historical stage.
• Vulgar Latin (n): The spoken, colloquial form of Latin used by common people across the Roman Empire, which evolved into the Romance languages.
• Ecclesiastical Latin (n): The form of Latin used by the Roman Catholic Church in its liturgy and documents, developed from Late Latin.
• Classical (adj): Relating to the ancient Greek or Roman period, or denoting a style considered to be of the highest standard and enduring value.

Synonyms

• Literary Latin: Emphasizes its use in formal writing and literature.
• Golden Age Latin: Specifically refers to Latin from the period of Cicero and Augustus (c. 70 BC – 14 AD).

Related Phrases

• The Classical Period: The era in Roman history and literature when Classical Latin was the standard.
  • Cicero's works are central to our understanding of the Classical Period.

Noun

1. the language of educated people in ancient Rome
   • Latin is a language as dead as dead can be. It killed the ancient Romans--and now it's killing me