On April 5th, there is an exciting upcoming web event/seminar sponsored by classicalwisdom.com that will, I believe, explore the meaning and/ or significance of acquiring ancient languages as a prerequisite for entering university, entering a classics program, doing research, and being an educated adult in Western society. To sign up, click on the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/are-ancient-languages-necessary-tickets-302196276197
No they need not be requirements for the generalist taking the odd course, but for specialists without a doubt ancient language facilitry is a necessity for serious scholarship in any field, if studying Ancient Iraq you should study Akkadian and Sumerian and have some facility in that field, no question about that in my mind, a first year course in each minimum so that you can at least follow the logic of lingusitic arguments
Well said Peter!