Querelle des Anciens et des Modernes

The Querelle des Anciens et des Modernes was a 17th-century debate in France about the value of classical (Ancien) versus contemporary (Moderne) culture and literature. The "Ancients" argued that classical works from Greece and Rome represented the highest standards of artistic achievement. The "Moderns" believed that contemporary innovations and new ideas could surpass classical standards. This debate influenced attitudes toward art, literature, and scholarship, shaping evolving notions of progress, tradition, and innovation during that period.