Classical Latin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Classical Latin | |
|---|---|
| Latinitas | |
Latin inscription in the Colosseum |
|
| Native to | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Region | mare nostrum (Mediterranean) |
| Era | 75 BC to the 3rd century AD, when it developed into Late Latin |
| Language family |
Indo-European
|
| Early forms: |
Old Latin
|
| Writing system | Classical Latin alphabet |
| Official status | |
| Official language in | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Regulated by | Schools of grammar and rhetoric |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
| Linguist List | lat-cla |
| Linguasphere | 51-AAB-aaa |
The range of Latin, 60 AD
|
|
Classical Latin is the form of the Latin language used by the ancient Romans and is mostly known as "classical" Latin literature. Its use helped the Golden Age of Latin literature– during the 1st century BC and the early 1st century AD–possibly extending to the Silver Age–broadly the 1st and 2nd centuries. "Classical Latin" is a dead language meaning It is not spoken, except by church officials in the Vatican.