Here's why:
* Latin was a language of the Roman Empire. It was used for administration, law, literature, and communication.
* The Roman Empire fell. As the empire fragmented, different regional dialects of Latin evolved into the Romance languages we know today (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, etc.).
* Modern Romance languages are descended from Latin. They are distinct languages with their own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
While Latin is no longer a living language spoken by a native population, it remains important:
* It's a liturgical language in the Roman Catholic Church. Masses are still conducted in Latin in some churches.
* It's the basis for many scientific and medical terms. Latin's influence is evident in fields like biology and medicine.
* It's studied in schools and universities. Learning Latin can improve language skills and provide insights into the history of Western civilization.