Classical Humanism and the Challenge of Modernity: Debates on Classical Education in 19th-century Germany (Philologus: Supplemente / Philologus: Supplementary Volumes)

In scholarship, classical (Renaissance) humanism is usually strictly distinguished from 'neo-humanism', which, especially in Germany, flourished at the beginning of the 19^th^ century. While most classical humanists focused on the practical imitation of Latin stylistic models, 'neohumanism' is commonly believed to have been mainly inspired by typically modern values, such as authenticity and historicity. Bas van Bommel shows that whereas 'neohumanism' was mainly adhered to at the German universities, at the Gymnasien a much more traditional educational ideal prevailed, which is best described as 'classical humanism.' This ideal involved the prioritisation of the Romans above the Greeks, as well as the belief that imitation of Roman and Greek models brings about man's aesthetic and moral elevation. Van Bommel makes clear that 19^th^ century classical humanism dynamically related to modern society. On the one hand, classical humanists explained the value of classical education in typically modern terms. On the other hand, competitors of the classical Gymnasium laid claim to values that were ultimately derived from classical humanism. 19^th^ century classical humanism should therefore not be seen as a dried-out remnant of a dying past, but as the continuation of a living tradition. This book challenges the common view that classical education in 19th-century Germany was dominated by a progressive ideal called "neohumanism." The prevailing ideal of education at the German Gymnasien was emphatically traditional and is best described as classical humanism. Moreover, this 19th-century classical humanism dynamically related to modern society and should therefore be seen as the continuation of a living tradition. In der Reihe Philologus. Supplemente / Philologus. Supplementary Volumes werden Monographien und Sammelbande zu allen Themen der Klassischen Philologie und ihrer Rezeption veroeffentlicht. Der Fokus liegt insbesondere auf den neuesten Ansatzen der Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft in einer interdisziplinaren Perspektive. In der Reihe Philologus. Supplemente / Philologus. Supplementary Volumes werden Monographien und Sammelbände zu allen Themen der Klassischen Philologie und ihrer Rezeption veröffentlicht. Der Fokus liegt insbesondere auf den neuesten Ansätzen der Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft in einer interdisziplinären Perspektive.