Antiqua

Antiqua is a term with several related meanings. In Latin, antiquus means ancient or old, and Antiqua is used to describe things pertaining to antiquity, including languages, cultures, and artifacts from classical periods.

In typography, Antiqua refers to serif typefaces that imitate classical Roman inscriptions. This contrasts with Fraktur, a blackletter style characterized by angular, broken strokes. In German typographic practice, Antiqua is the term used for the serif or Roman family, while Fraktur denotes the blackletter family. In English and other languages, the same category is often described as Roman or serif type.

Historically, the distinction between Antiqua and Fraktur figured prominently in debates about typography, readability, and national or cultural identity in Europe, especially from the 18th through the 20th centuries. These discussions influenced printing practices, type design, and education about fonts. In modern usage, Antiqua and Fraktur are both current options, with Antiqua typifying the conventional, readable serif forms and Fraktur used for stylistic, historical, or decorative purposes.

Beyond typography, Antiqua simply denotes things related to antiquity. In scholarly works, it can describe ancient languages, civilizations, or artifacts. It is not a single script or alphabet, but a broad descriptor whose precise meaning depends on the discipline and context.