[RobbyS]

Alcuin, Charlemagne's "cultural minister," did in fact accomplish this. I remember the story about his "Boss" struggling to learn to read Latin. But the cultural prestige of Rome had earlier held sway over the Germans, and the Arian occupiers of Italy referred to Catholics as "Romans." I think that the Byzantines also called themselves "Roman" even after they stopped speaking Latin.

[eastsider]

I want to thank each of you for your historical input on Latin, the acculturation of Europe, and the decline of classicism in modern education. (A special thanks to you, TRD, for the link to The Romans, Ancient, Medieval and Modern.)