Classical Studies
How Do I Find Background Materials?
Browse this page to find resources such as companions, handbooks, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. Background information can help users find secondary sources and develop a research topic quickly and efficiently. Please contact the Classical Studies Librarian for more information.
Recommended Companions and Handbooks
Companions and handbooks are guides written by experts that offer introductions to a variety of topics and provide surveys of current research and debates. Here are a few popular suggestions:
Recommended Resources for Background Materials
Browse resources to find general information on a variety of Classical Studies topics. Here are a few suggestions:
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Oxford Classical Dictionary (OCD)The entries are regularly updated and expanded. It features intuitive search and browse options and multimedia, including images, links, and audiovisual clips.
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Encyclopedia of Ancient HistoryOnline version of the comprehensive collection of entries covering the entire ancient Mediterranean world, including the Near East and Egypt.
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Brill's New PaulyStandard, scholarly encyclopedia covering all aspects of the ancient world.
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Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum AntiquorumA major multi-volume reference on all known aspects of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cults and rituals.
Recommended Encyclopedias
Classical Studies encyclopedias provide background information and bibliographic citations on multiple topics throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Here are a few suggestions:
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Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and RomeProvides an overview of the major cultures of the Mediterranean world from the Bronze Age to the fifth century CE. It also covers the legacy of the classical world and its interpretation.
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Virgil EncyclopediaAn in-depth treatment of all aspects of Virgil’s poetry and his immeasurable influence that continues to the present day.
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Homer EncyclopediaFocuses on the historical and cultural background of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homeric scholarship, and Homeric reception from antiquity to the present.
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Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics OnlineScholarly and multidisciplinary encyclopedia for the study of Ancient Greek.