As a product of the longest continuous civilization in western history, the classical languages serve as a liberalizing influence challenging him to stretch his horizons beyond the constructions of the “here” and “now.” They promote contact with the world, and the languages and customs of other peoples. From a traditionally prominent position in Jesuit high school curricula, the study of classics continues to hold a unique position. The student comes to appreciate the pursuit of excellence, the need for order, and the value of precise, organized thinking. We require the student of classics (Latin and Greek) to attain a high degree of familiarity with the civilizations of Greece and Rome, and thus to encounter in depth the roots of his own culture, language, and historical experience. He must examine and criticize the ideas, ideals, and patterns of thought brought to birth in classical times and still influencing, overtly or subtly, the processes of western civilization.