Why is classical scholarship also called classical philology in continental Europe?

In continental Europe, the field of classical scholarship is traditionally referred to as "classical philology." This terminology reflects a historical emphasis on the study of ancient languages and literature as the primary gateway to understanding the ancient world.1

During the 19th century, German scholars developed the concept of Altertumswissenschaft ("science of antiquity") to unify the various disciplines involved in studying ancient Greece and Rome, including history, archaeology, and linguistics. While "philology" historically denotes the study of language and literature, its use in this context was intended to encompass the comprehensive investigation of ancient culture through its texts.123

However, the term has since acquired some ambiguity. In modern usage, "philology" is often associated with 19th-century "comparative philology"—the study of language history and linguistics—which has led to confusion regarding its broader application to the study of antiquity. Despite this, the term remains embedded in the names of many European university departments and academic journals, preserving the traditional link between the study of ancient languages and the broader humanities.14