Book

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites

by Richard Stillwell

📖 Overview

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites serves as a comprehensive reference work covering archaeological sites throughout the Greek and Roman world. Published in 1976, it contains detailed entries on over 2,800 locations from Britain to North Africa and Spain to Afghanistan. The encyclopedia entries provide information about each site's historical significance, major architectural features, and key archaeological discoveries. Contributors include leading scholars who document excavation findings, architectural remains, and historical context for locations ranging from major cities to small settlements. Each alphabetically organized entry contains coordinates, a concise overview of the site's importance, and a bibliography for further research. The work includes maps and plans to help readers visualize the ancient locations and their layouts. This authoritative volume stands as a foundational resource for understanding the physical remains of classical civilization, illuminating the connection between archaeological evidence and ancient texts.

👀 Reviews

Readers value this reference work for its comprehensive coverage of archaeological sites across the ancient Greek and Roman world. Multiple reviews note its utility for students, researchers, and travelers planning archaeological visits. Likes: - Clear maps and site plans - Concise entries with bibliographic references - Coverage of both major and minor sites - Archaeological details like dimensions and excavation history Dislikes: - Limited photographs - Some outdated information (published 1976) - Dense academic writing style - High price point for hardcover edition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 ratings) One reader on Amazon noted: "The entries provide enough detail to be useful without overwhelming the reader." A Goodreads reviewer mentioned the need for an updated edition incorporating recent discoveries, while still praising it as "the most complete single-volume reference on Classical archaeological sites."

📚 Similar books

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The Atlas of Classical History by Michael Grant This volume combines maps, site plans, and historical context to present geographical and archaeological data of the ancient Mediterranean world.

The Cambridge Ancient History by John Boardman, I. E. S. Edwards, N. G. L. Hammond, and E. Sollberger This multi-volume series provides comprehensive coverage of archaeological sites and historical developments from prehistory through late antiquity.

The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Art and Architecture by Clemente Marconi The handbook presents archaeological evidence and research about art, architecture, and material culture across Greek and Roman settlements and cities.

Cities of Roman Italy by Guy de la Bédoyère This reference guide documents archaeological findings and historical records of urban centers throughout ancient Italy with maps, plans, and site descriptions.

🤔 Interesting facts

🏛️ Published in 1976, this comprehensive encyclopedia covers over 2,800 ancient sites across the Mediterranean world and Middle East 📚 Richard Stillwell served as director of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1932-1935) and was a pioneering figure in archaeological photography 🗿 The encyclopedia includes detailed architectural descriptions, historical context, and excavation histories for major and minor archaeological sites from the Classical world 🏺 Each entry is authored by a specialist in the field, with contributions from over 375 scholars from 20 different countries 🗺️ The work revolutionized archaeological reference materials by including precise geographic coordinates for each site, making it an invaluable tool for field researchers and expedition planning