Classical Latin

high-prestige form of the Latin language in the Roman Republic and Empire

Classical Latin is the form of Latin that was used by the Ancient Romans in official Roman record-keeping, the Roman army, and Latin literature. Its use helped the Golden Age of Latin literature, during the 1st century BC and the early 1st century AD.

Classical Latin
LINGVA LATINA, lingua latina
Latin inscription in the Colosseum
Pronunciation[laˈtiːnɪtaːs]
Native toRoman Republic, Roman Empire
RegionMare Nostrum region
Era75 BC to AD 3rd century, when it developed into Late Latin
Early form
Classical Latin alphabet 
Official status
Official language in
Roman Republic, Roman Empire
Regulated bySchools of grammar and rhetoric
Language codes
ISO 639-3
lat-cla
GlottologNone
Linguasphere51-AAB-aaa
The range of Latin, AD 60

Classical Latin is a dead language, as is Vulgar Latin, the common speech of citizens in the Roman Empire. Latin is no longer spoken as a first language, but it is still spoken by church officials in the Vatican, where it is the official language.