Abstract
<jats:p>The article is dedicated to the analysis of the statements of V. O. Klyuchevsky on the educational significance of the Latin and ancient Greek languages, which the author considers relevant for the modern preparation of students studying in the humanities and social sciences. It is also noted that when conducting research on Russian history, which, thanks to the works of V. O. Klyuchevsky, turned into a genuine science, he not only used the methods of source criticism developed in the study of ancient societies, but also applied stylistic devices referring to Antiquity, its culture and mythology. V. O. Klyuchevsky in the 1860s believed it necessary to expand and deepen the programs for the study of classical languages in Russia; this was implemented later, during the reforms of 1871-1872 of the Minister of Public Education D. A. Tolstoy, which caused a flurry of public criticism, which V. O. Klyuchevsky ironically anticipated.</jats:p>