Why was the bible translated into Latin?

At the time of St. Jerome, Latin was sort of a universal language as Rome had conquered much of the known world. More people understood Latin than the original Greek and Hebrew. Latin is now a "dead" language so the meanings of Words no longer change. The Latin bible is still used as the basis for all modern translations into a variety of languages,

Roman Catholic AnswerThe Bible was translated by many different individuals in the first several centuries, into Latin. These were known as the Old Latin or Vetus Latin translations. Towards the end of the fourth century, Pope Damascus asked St. Jermone to prepare a common Latin translation for everyone. This was the standard until after Vatican Council II when the Holy Father asked for a new translation into Latin. Modern translations into other tongues are usually based on the ancient Greek and Hebrew Scriptures, no longer on the Latin translations. This method of translation is based on Pope Pius XII Encyclical, Divino Afflante Spiritu issued in 1943.