0 What Is Classics?
Description
This article is from the Classical Studies FAQ, by Richard M. Alderson III alderson@netcom2.netcom.com with numerous contributions by others.
0 What Is Classics?
Good question. As used in academia, "Classics" or "Classical Studies" (with a
capital C) or the adjective "classical" refer to the discipline described
below, rather than to good books from any period.
The discipline of Classics is the study of Greek and Roman civilization, from
Homer to Constantine, but including study of the direct antecedents of Greece
and Rome in the prehistoric period of southern Europe and their descendants in
the Middle Ages. This encompasses both the Greek and Latin languages and their
literature, including poetry, drama, history, philosophy, rhetoric, religion
and political theory, as well as art, architecture, and archaeology. Further,
discussion of the relevant cultural milieus brings in Persia, the Middle East,
Egypt, and early Europe.
Precise chronological boundaries are difficult to establish, but the most
common feature is the relevance of the period or material to Greek and/or Latin
texts. An increasing number of classicists are devoting their energies to
later Latin texts, including neo-Latin (relatively modern) original works, and
to prehistory or linguistics, especially in archaeology.
Discussions of the prehistory of the Greek and Latin languages are encouraged,
as well. This requires that some discussion of related languages such as
Sanskrit and Hittite be allowed. When taught with an emphasis on Greek and
Latin, this is often called Classical Linguistics.
Note on Dates: All dates in this FAQ are given using BCE and CE rather than
BC and AD. Michael Covington notes:
Some people take the use of BCE and CE in place of BC and AD as an
anti-Christian gambit. I don't take it that way; Jesus wasn't born in
exactly 1 A.D., and saying BCE and CE makes it clear we are using the
conventional year-numbering rather than counting years from the actual
birth of Christ.
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