What were the main languages in Rome and how many people know them?
One of the most significant languages was formed here, in the Ancient Roman Period. That language has been used in many classical pieces and influences our very english today. It is also used scientifically. This language is called latin, it isn't spoken very often as a language but it is studied in university and provides an in-depth connection to the english culture and language.
Latin and Koine Greek were the main languages spoken around rome. Since Ancient Rome is such a large empire, many different speaks and languages are spoken in different regions. Latin spread very quickly between regions, it was highly used at the beginning of ancient rome. Educated Romans were more likely to use Koine greek. Many different languages came about from latin, many celtic languages also came about at that time such as coptic. There were many romance languages that came about in the later period of ancient roman times such as french, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. Latin was mostly spoken in newly conquered country as it was the most s-read out and multicultural language. It was very popular to write down in scriptures and save information and pieces of information. It was highly valued and a lot of the higher placed people were literate. Birth Certificates, Wills and legal documents were compulsory to be in latin earlier on in rome (later on it wasn't as strict) . For the illiterate members of society. Early on, like in most primitive languages romans were primarily speaking in oral form The literacy rate, estimated by many professors and professionals bubbles down to an average of between 5% 30%. Many people don't really need to learn language as it wasn't really necessary for peasants as many jobs. Education in Ancient rome is not compulsory, in fact, hardly anyone took an education except the people more well of and rich as it was quite expensive Latin was mostly used however greek was big too and it was it was respectfully culturally to learn greek. Some rulers actually opposed latin and wanted purist for greek |