- The history of ancient societies and cultures, which are at the same time mysteriously alien and hauntingly familiar, is intrinsically fascinating. Who has not wanted to learn about antiquity or from it?
University of Sydney: Why Do History? (www.arts.usyd.edu.au/Arts/departs/anchistory)
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To me the value of studying classics is to find an antidote to all the silly political correctness we find in society today. Through classics we can re-visit a time when being a warrior was an honored way of life, when societies like the Greeks' and Romans' believed in their own superiority and imperialism was seen as a glorified divine right
Ancient / Classical History Forum
Classical Languages
Before I went to secondary school I had read the Asterix comic series.... Now in one of the books there was this blurb in Latin that wasn't translated anywhere - and it was longer than the usual 'alea iacta est' and 'morituri te salutant'. So when I went to secondary school I picked Latin for first secondary language instead of English - I wanted to know just what that blurb meant.
Forum
- Latin
The language of the Romans, Latin, is the basis for modern Romance languages. It is a language of poetry and rhetoric, a logical language still used in medicine and science when the need arises for a new technical term.
What's more, knowing Latin will help with English grammar and should improve your general reading vocabulary, which, in turn, will increase your scores on the College Boards. - Greek
Greek, the "other" Classical language, is likewise used in science, literature, and rhetoric. It is the language in which the first philosophers wrote their poetry. Subtle semantic distinctions between Greek and Latin led to controversies in the early Christian Church which still affect organized Christianity today. - Translation Problems
If you can read the Classical languages you can read nuances that can't be conveyed in translation. Especially in poetry, it is misleading to call the interpretive rendering into English of the original a translation.
- Showing Off
If nothing else, you can always study Latin or Ancient Greek to impress. These no longer spoken languages require hard work and show dedication.
More Reasons to Study Classics
Ancient History is a fascinating area of study, rich in wonderful stories of human endeavour, achievement and disaster. The history of humankind from the very earliest times is part of everyone’s heritage and the study of the subject Ancient History ensures that this heritage is not lost.
Ancient History.... not only broadens perspectives, but it also provides the transferable skills in analysis, interpretation and persuasion which are sought by high-level employers in the public and the private sector.
University of Sydney: Why Do History? (www.arts.usyd.edu.au/Arts/departs/anchistory)
