Book

The Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization

📖 Overview

The Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization serves as a comprehensive reference work covering the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. This single-volume resource contains over 1,500 entries on topics ranging from daily life and social practices to politics, warfare, religion, and the arts. The dictionary features contributions from over 150 scholars and experts in classical studies. Maps, illustrations, and genealogical tables complement the alphabetically arranged entries, providing visual context for the material covered. The work balances accessibility with academic rigor, making it useful for both students and scholars. Cross-references between entries help readers explore related topics and develop a fuller understanding of classical civilization as an interconnected whole. This reference work reflects current scholarly perspectives on the classical world while highlighting the continuing relevance of ancient Mediterranean cultures to modern society. The dictionary's scope and organization make it a valuable tool for examining how Greek and Roman civilizations shaped Western cultural traditions.

👀 Reviews

This reference work receives limited online reader reviews and discussion compared to other classical civilization texts. Readers noted strengths: - Comprehensive coverage of Greek and Roman topics in one volume - Clear organization with cross-references between entries - Includes photos, maps, and archaeological evidence - Writing style accessible for both students and general readers Common criticisms: - Some entries lack sufficient depth - Print size described as "too small" by multiple readers - High cost limits accessibility for students - Several readers mentioned wanting more detailed bibliographies Available Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (2 ratings) Amazon US: No ratings or reviews A Cambridge University student reviewer called it "useful for quick reference but not detailed enough for serious research papers." The limited number of public reviews makes it difficult to gauge broader reader reception.

📚 Similar books

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization by Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth A reference work that covers Greek and Roman civilization through detailed entries on culture, history, literature, and daily life.

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion by Simon Price and Emily Kearns The book presents Greek and Roman religious practices, beliefs, and mythology through scholarly entries and source references.

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites by Richard Stillwell This volume catalogs archaeological sites throughout the classical world with maps, descriptions, and historical context.

The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian by Robin Lane Fox The text chronicles the development of Greek and Roman civilizations from 800 BC to 200 AD through political, cultural, and social perspectives.

The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Greek Religion by Esther Eidinow and Julia Kindt The work examines Greek religious practices, rituals, and beliefs through archaeological evidence and textual sources.

🤔 Interesting facts

🏺 The Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization covers over 1,600 entries spanning ancient Greek and Roman cultures, from 750 BC to 600 AD. 🏛️ Editor Martin Millett is a renowned archaeologist who has conducted groundbreaking research on Roman Britain and served as the Laurence Professor of Classical Archaeology at Cambridge University. 📚 Unlike traditional classical dictionaries that focus mainly on literature and mythology, this volume gives equal weight to social history, economics, and the daily lives of ordinary people. 🗿 The dictionary features contributions from over 150 international scholars, ensuring diverse perspectives and the most current archaeological and historical research. 🏺 The book includes specially commissioned maps, diagrams, and photographs, many showing artifacts and sites that had never before been published in a reference work.