Languages Roman Empire

the language of romans latin, virgil emphasizes source of roman unity , tradition. until time of alexander severus (reigned 222–235), birth certificates , wills of roman citizens had written in latin. latin language of law courts in west , of military throughout empire, not imposed officially on peoples brought under roman rule. policy contrasts of alexander great, aimed impose greek throughout empire official language. consequence of alexander s conquests, koine greek had become shared language around eastern mediterranean , asia minor. linguistic frontier dividing latin west , greek east passed through balkan peninsula.

a 5th-century papyrus showing parallel latin-greek text of speech cicero

romans received elite education studied greek literary language, , men of governing classes speak greek. julio-claudian emperors encouraged high standards of correct latin (latinitas), linguistic movement identified in modern terms classical latin, , favoured latin conducting official business. claudius tried limit use of greek, , on occasion revoked citizenship of lacked latin, in senate drew on own bilingualism in communicating greek-speaking ambassadors. suetonius quotes him referring our 2 languages .

in eastern empire, laws , official documents regularly translated greek latin. everyday interpenetration of 2 languages indicated bilingual inscriptions, switch , forth between greek , latin. after freeborn inhabitants of empire universally enfranchised in 212 ad, great number of roman citizens have lacked latin, though expected acquire @ least token knowledge, , latin remained marker of romanness.

among other reforms, emperor diocletian (reigned 284–305) sought renew authority of latin, , greek expression hē kratousa dialektos attests continuing status of latin language of power. in 6th century, emperor justinian engaged in quixotic effort reassert status of latin language of law, though in time latin no longer held currency living language in east.

local languages , linguistic legacy

bilingual latin-punic inscription @ theatre in leptis magna, roman africa (present-day libya)

references interpreters indicate continuing use of local languages other greek , latin, particularly in egypt, coptic predominated, , in military settings along rhine , danube. roman jurists show concern local languages such punic, gaulish, , aramaic in assuring correct understanding , application of laws , oaths. in province of africa, libyco-berber , punic used in inscriptions , legends on coins during time of tiberius (1st century ad). libyco-berber , punic inscriptions appear on public buildings 2nd century, bilingual latin. in syria, palmyrene soldiers used dialect of aramaic inscriptions, in striking exception rule latin language of military.

the babatha archive suggestive example of multilingualism in empire. these papyri, named jewish woman in province of arabia , dating 93 132 ad, employ aramaic, local language, written in greek characters semitic , latin influences; petition roman governor, however, written in greek.

the dominance of latin among literate elite may obscure continuity of spoken languages, since cultures within roman empire predominantly oral. in west, latin, referred in spoken form vulgar latin, gradually replaced celtic , italic languages related shared indo-european origin. commonalities in syntax , vocabulary facilitated adoption of latin.

after decentralization of political power in late antiquity, latin developed locally branches became romance languages, such spanish, portuguese, french, italian , romanian, , large number of minor languages , dialects. today, more 900 million people native speakers worldwide.

as international language of learning , literature, latin continued active medium of expression diplomacy , intellectual developments identified renaissance humanism 17th century, , law , roman catholic church present.

although greek continued language of byzantine empire, linguistic distribution in east more complex. greek-speaking majority lived in greek peninsula , islands, western anatolia, major cities, , coastal areas. greek , latin, thracian language of indo-european origin, several now-extinct languages in anatolia attested imperial-era inscriptions. albanian seen descendant of illyrian, although hypothesis has been challenged linguists, maintain derives dacian or thracian. (illyrian, dacian, , thracian, however, may have formed subgroup or sprachbund; see thraco-illyrian.) various afroasiatic languages—primarily coptic in egypt, , aramaic in syria , mesopotamia—were never replaced greek. international use of greek, however, 1 factor enabling spread of christianity, indicated example use of greek epistles of paul.