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Classical Latin
LINGVA LATINA, lingua latina
Rome Colosseum inscription 2.jpg
Latin inscription in the Colosseum
Native to Roman Republic, Roman Empire
Region Mare Nostrum region
Era 75 BC to AD 3rd century, when it developed into Late Latin
Language family
Early forms:
Old Latin
  • Classical Latin
Writing system Classical Latin alphabet 
Official status
Official language in Roman Republic, Roman Empire
Regulated by Schools of grammar and rhetoric
Linguist List lat-cla
Linguasphere 51-AAB-aaa
Europa60AD.svg
The range of Latin, AD 60

Classical Latin is the form of Latin that was used by the ancient Romans in official Roman record-keeping, the Roman military, 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 is a dead language, as is Vulgar Latin, the common speech of citizens in the Roman Empire. It is not spoken as a first language anymore. However, it is still spoken by church officials in the Vatican, where it is the official language.

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