Ad Infinitum : a biography of Latin / Nicholas Ostler.

A study of the Latin language examines its role in the evolution of Western culture and civilization; its relationship with ancient Greek language, science, and philosophy; its place in the Catholic Church; and its function as an ancestor of modern-day languages.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-368) and index.

pt. 1. A Latin world. Ad infinitum--An empire lived in Latin -- Fons et origo--Latin's kin -- Sub rosa--Latin's Etruscan stepmother -- Cui bono?--Rome's winning ways -- Excelsior--Looking up to Greek -- Felix coniunctio--A partnership of paragons -- part 2. Latin recruits. Urbi et orbi--Taking over the Church -- Vox populi vox dei--Latin as the bond of unity -- Dies irae--Staying on -- Ultra vires--Beyond the limits of empire -- part 3. Worlds built on Latin. Lapus linguae--Incurable romantics : fractured Latin -- Amor vincit omnia--Latin lovers -- Litterae humaniores--The fruits of Latin education -- Ex oriente lux--Sources of higher learning -- part 4. Latin in a vernacular world. Alter ego--Humanism and the return of the classics -- Deus ex machina--Printing and the profusion of grammars -- Novus orbis--Latin America -- Decus et tutamen--Last redoubts -- Eheu fugaces--Latin's decline -- Sub specie aeternitatis--Latin today.