What was the most widely studied language 500 years ago?

500 years ago, in the early 16th century, Latin was the most widely studied language.

Here's why:

* It was the language of scholarship and academia: Universities across Europe used Latin as their primary language of instruction and communication.

* It was the language of religion: The Catholic Church used Latin in its liturgy and official documents.

* It was the language of diplomacy and law: Latin was used in international treaties and legal documents.

* It was a prestigious language: Knowing Latin was a sign of education and social status.

While other languages like Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic were also studied, Latin held a dominant position in the scholarly world.