"classics" questions

[ein_suender]

1). Does "classics" always mean Greek and Latin only? Could it mean any other "classical" language like classical Chinese

Comments

[yo_yomama]

1- classics generally refers to greek and greece, and latin and rome, but sometimes the ancient near east is included in those programs (which would include languages like ancient egyptian, ancient hebrew, hittite, etc).

[janus532]

According to Wikipedia's article on Classics, in the East (or "sinised world"), Classics mostly refers to the study of the language/literature/history/philosophy of ancient China.

But, yes, in the West, Classics has referred to the study of the Classical civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome with an emphasis on their literature and languages (as well as history, philosophy, art, religion/mythology), especially at the collegiate level.

[anonymous]

Greeek colinization was different than Roman colinization. The Greeks took more than they exported (in terms of science and culture- they borrowed heavily from Persian and Egypt, among others). The Romans gave a lot more in terms of culture, science, road building, etc. and in addition to converting newly conquered folks in Western Europe, they kept a number of Roman soldiers in their midst to help spread the language (this was not the reason, but it was a result). As far as I know, the Greeks merely set up administration among some other things, but did not back it up with Greek soldiers.

That's a very basic answer that leaves out a number of other complexities.

[zepooka]

Sanskrit is often included in the description of "classics" along with Latin and Greek... the big three.

[aragni]

that's how it is at Pitt, too.

[samchuck]

2. There's a new book out called Empires of the Word that I believe deals with this question. I have it in my bedroom, but I haven't yet read it. It's next on my list.