Classical - Classical Antiquity

Classical Antiquity

Classical antiquity is a long period of history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. This period is conventionally taken to stretch from roughly the 7th or 8th century BC to the 5th century AD. It is often seen as a golden age of Western civilisation, preceding the Dark Ages of the early medieval period.

The word classical can refer to something from classical antiquity. For example:

• A Classical scholar is someone who studies the Classics - the language and culture of classical antiquity, particularly its literature.
• Classical philosophy
• Classical mythology
• Classical Latin is the form of the Latin language used by the ancient Romans in what is usually regarded as classical Latin literature. It is distinct from both vulgar Latin and medieval Latin. This distinction from vulgar Latin is in keeping with the meaning of the Latin word classicus given above.
• Classical architecture
  • Classical order - one of the ancient styles of building design in the classical tradition. Originally Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, these were added to and modified by the Romans.
• High classical refers to Greek art associated mainly with Athens and the works atop the Acropolis
• A classical education normally means an education in the classics, including learning Latin and ancient Greek. However, it can refer to the Classical education movement.