Les études latines au Brésil

Abstract

This article looks into the importance of the teaching of Latin during the colonial period in Brazil, focusing mainly on the role played by the Society of Jesus. We have analysed the long process of reorganization of secondary education and the foundation of higher education. A survey of the last years of secondary education of literary tradition up to the foundation of the first degrees in Letters and Philosophy is provided. We have attempted an assessment of the Latin studies from 1940 to 1970, a period corresponding to their heyday in Brazil, by referring to the 1942 Capanema Law and the old Law of National Education. We have concluded by outlining the activities up to 1996, taking into account the new context  emerging with the new Law of Education.