CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF EDUCATION DURING CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY USING EXAMPLES FROM THE SOUTH OF THE PROVINCE OF DALMATIA

Abstract

Education is one of the most important factors in the development of humans. During classical antiquity, a relatively modest importance was attributed to education. It was present in the society of classical antiquity; it began in Ancient Greece and continued in the Roman period. Education in classical antiquity was part of philosophical and other studies about the state and social organization. Ancient philosophy set the foundation for different social concepts that have been developing until today. Education strongly influenced society, although it was mostly accessible to only the richest layer of society. The paper will present the education development course during classical antiquity, relying on the persons who addressed this issue. Through selected examples, we will show how this process was perceived by prominent Greek thinkers who followed society's attitude towards education. Thoughts about education were associated with thoughts about the state, governance, and the best polity. Moreover, we will cover examples from the south of the province of Dalmatia (the monument with an inscription from Prčanj, writing styluses made of different materials from Panik near Bileća, Mogorjelo, and Višić near Čapljina, Narona, etc.). The analysis of discovered monuments and archaeological materials from the above locations suggests that education was important in the south of Dalmatia. These facts will show us whether the citizens in the south of the province of Dalmatia, during classical antiquity, used writing in everyday life, which required education. Moreover, the aforementioned written and material testimonies will suggest how this process took place in the south of the province of Dalmatia. We will also analyze the sources and literature from classical antiquity and compare them with current knowledge and achievements regarding education to come to a valid conclusion.