Handbook for Classical Research

One of the glories of the Greco-Roman classics is the opportunity that they give us to consider a great culture in its entirety; but our ability to do that depends on our ability to work comfortably with very varied fields of scholarship. The Handbook for Classical Research offers guidance to students needing to learn more about the different fields and subfields of classical research, and its methods and resources. The book is divided into 7 parts: The Basics, Language, The Traditional Fields, The Physical Remains, The Written Word, The Classics and Related Disciplines, The Classics since Antiquity. Topics covered range from history and literature, lexicography and linguistics, epigraphy and palaeography, to archaeology and numismatics, and the study and reception of the classics. Guidance is given not only to read, for example, an archaeological or papyrological report, but also on how to find such sources when they are relevant to research. Concentrating on "how-to" topics, the Handbook for Classical Research is a much needed resource for both teachers and students.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: The Basics 1. The Nature of the Field 2. The Stages of Research 3. Assembling a Bibliography 4. What are your Sources? 5. Book Reviews Part 2: Language 6. Lexicography 7. Grammar 8. Language and Linguistics 9. Using Classical Texts Part 3: The Traditional Fields 10. Reading and Understanding Literature 11. Oratory and Rhetoric 12. Philosophy 13. History Part 4: The Physical Remains 14. Archaeology 15. Mycenaean Studies 16. Numismatics Part 5: The Written Word 17. Epigraphy 18. Papyrology 19. Palaeography 20. Editing Classical Texts Part 5: The Classics and Related Disciplines 21. Art 22. Music and Dance 23. Science and Technology 24. Ancient Religion and Mythology 25. Law 26. Sociology, Anthropology, Economics and Psychology Part 7: The Classics Since Antiquity 27. The Classical Tradition and Classical Reception 28. History of Classical Scholarship Chapter 29. Reconstructing the Ancient World 30. Translation

Review :
'Many sections represent the sort of avuncular guidance one might expect from a thesis advisor, with helpful summaries such as "How Laws Were Made in Ancient Rome" and "Reading a Published Papyrus." Libraries will have a hard time deciding whether this handbook belongs in the reference collection, on reserve as a course textbook, or as part of the circulating collection. Institutions supporting programs in classical studies may want copies in all three locations. Summing Up: Essential. Undergraduate classics majors, graduate students, and faculty/researchers.' -- Choice