Why Latin?

T.S. Eliot observed that “we are all, so far as we inherit the civilization of Europe, still citizens of the Roman Empire.” The Latin program proves this observation by studying the language and, through it, the culture of the Romans. To understand how the language works is essential. In this way the student can not only read the writings of great Roman authors, but also appreciate how basic Latin is to modern English. Most English words have classical roots, including 90% of words relating to science and technology, so the study of Latin leads to a wider English vocabulary. Furthermore, the greater part of English literature has been written by those who were classically educated, and for readers who were presumed to have some knowledge of Latin. Many Latin readings show that most of our ideas political and personal, our fears and aspirations, are not new. To paraphrase Eliot, it is through the experience of the dead that we can make sense of the living, but first we must learn their language.

Don't just take our word for it!  Click here to see what Beau Willimon has to say about his experience with Latin.