...the Science of Antiquity (or as its English counterpart was called, the discipline of Classics).
http://www.americansymphony.org/dialogues_extensions/95_96se...

Initially, therefore, philology was defined as the science of
antiquity (Altertumswissenschaft).
www.nielshelsloot.nl/tekst/1998a/13.htm



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Note added at 1 day54 mins (2006-02-14 12:57:09 GMT)
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вариант: античная литература (в т. ч. имея в виду и труды Геродота, Галена, Гиппократа...)

In the nineteenth century, the German classicist Ulrich von
Wilamowitz-Moellendorff formulated a term to describe classical studies that is still useful today. He described it as
Altertumswissenschaft, the science of antiquity, by which he meant the study of the Greco-Roman world considered in all its aspects: languages, literatures, history, philosophy and science, law archaeology, social life and any other features that the ancient world presents.
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/classics/classics1.htm

Прежде всего, античная литература - это целый мир, она отражает не только политические события, но и все остальные стороны античной цивилизации: от тончайших нюансов философско-теологических мыслей до кулинарных рецептов.
http://vivovoco.nns.ru/VV/PAPERS/HISTORY/FOMATH.HTM