What is the origin of classical education?
- Dr. Timothy Dernlan
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Socrates said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."
Do you know where classical education began? How did it all start?
Classical education can be traced back to Plato’s foundation of the Academy in Athens, Greece circa 385 B.C. Other philosophers in this same era such as Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Isocrates were also instrumental in the formation of educational ideals leading to classical education and the seven liberal arts. When the Roman military conquered the Greeks, the intellectual ideas and influence of Greek culture and education remained strong and were incorporated into the Roman way of life. Then, Quintilian, a Roman rhetorician born in 35 A.D., began the process of placing many Greek educational ideas into age-appropriate stages of learning and classical education was solidified.
Think of it like planting a tree. The roots are important because they nourish the tree and help it grow strong and tall. The origins of classical education are like those roots, reaching deep into history and supporting everything that comes after.
As Socrates famously said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."
In Proverbs 22:6, we are reminded, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Classical education provides that vital foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth!
Summary
Classical education traces its roots back to when Plato founded the Academy in Athens, Greece. Philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Isocrates helped shape educational ideals that led to what we now call classical education and the seven liberal arts. Even when the Roman military conquered Greece, the influence of Greek culture remained strong. Quintilian, a Roman rhetorician, played a key role in organizing these educational ideas into age-appropriate stages, solidifying classical education as we know it today.
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by Dr. Timothy Dernlan, in partnership with the Classical Christian Education Alliance
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