Until "modern classics" education became a thing, Latin was arguably a still living language, if in limited use (mainly among the clergy, certain professions and educated circles, and effectively official language of certain countries).
Then ~17th century modern classics turned latin education into navel gazing on the topic of bunch of roman republic/empire era works, and disregarded actually using it.
Then ~17th century modern classics turned latin education into navel gazing on the topic of bunch of roman republic/empire era works, and disregarded actually using it.