The Oxford Classical Dictionary

For almost half a century The Oxford Classical Dictionary has been the unrivalled one-volume reference work on the Greco-Roman world. Whether one is interested in literature or art, philosophy or law, mythology or science, intimate details of daily life or broad cultural and historical trends, the OCD is the first place to turn for clear, authoritative information on all aspects of the ancient world. This redoubtable resource now appears in its third edition, some twenty per cent larger than the previous edition, with virtually every entry rewritten and updated and hundreds of brand new entries added which reflect the expanded scope of classical studies. In over six thousand entries ranging from long articles to brief definitions the Third Edition provides for the insights and interests of a new generation of classical scholars. Readers will find substantial coverage of women in the ancient world with entries on abortion, breast-feeding , and motherhood ; sexuality including homosexuality, love and friendship, contraception , and pornography ; Asia and the far east with entries ranging from Gandhara to the Persian Gulf ; Jews; and early Christians. In addition new thematic articles reflect the current emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches to classical studies. These articles include anthropology and the classics , Marxism and classical antiquity , and literary theory and classical studies , while others examine issues of general interest to modern readers such as race, class struggle, ethnicity, alcoholism, incest, propaganda, suicide, pollution , and much more. The OCD is a truly international work of collaborative scholarship with entries from the world's top classical scholars, and the very best experts providing specialist subject area knowledge. Specialist area advisers include Pat Easterling on Greek literature, Tony Honor 'e on Roman law, Amelie Kuhrt on Near Eastern studies, John Matthews on late antiquity, and Martha Nussbaum on philosophy, making this the ultimate authority on the classical world. Contributors...Over 364 of the very best scholars in classics from all over the world, including Albert Henrichs, Fritz Graf, Gian Biagio Conte, Oswyn Murray, Elaine Fantham, Julia Annas, J.J. Pollitt, and Michael Jameson. This book is intended for students, scholars, teachers of Classics, and those taking courses in classical civilization; professionals, scholars, students of whatever discipline with an interest in the ancient history of their subject; wide general interest; public/institutional libraries.

"A delight for anyone with any curiosity about the roots of our Western culture, our arts, sciences, and politics. The essays are thorough, yet with an eye to the interests of the contemporary reader. A browser's paradise, and I would think a researcher's quick rescuer. As a result, the Greeks and Romans seem more than ever to be standing behind us, but just over the hill."--Arthur Miller "I welcome with open arms a new and greatly expanded edition of that admirable classic in its own right, The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Both I myself and my husband John Bayley use the Dictionary continually, as well as browsing in it for pleasure. It has been a precious and invaluable source and reference book for me in writing my novels, and for my whole inner life in mythology and in ancient philosophy."--Iris Murdoch "The Oxford Classical Dictionary is a treasure of information about the ancient world. The writing is interesting and authoritative, making it a pleasure to browse and an invaluable resource to consult. Major topics, such as astronomy, citizenship, and class struggle, are remarkably readable, insightful, and thorough, without being overly detailed. Abundant internal and external references point the way to further information. It's a hard book to put down."--Alan Cromer, Northeastern University "The revision of the Oxford Classical Dictionary makes significant improvements in an already first-rate tool. Not only are the bibliographies brought up to date (which is what one would have expected), but articles have been revised, enlarged, or re-written in order to incorporate new information and interpretation. A surprisingly large number of new entries now broaden the scope of the dictionary.... Not only classicists but biblical scholars as well will find this an altogether superb one-volume encyclopedia."--Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "A delight for anyone with any curiosity about the roots of our Western culture, our arts, sciences, and politics. The essays are thorough, yet with an eye to the interests of the contemporary reader. A browser's paradise, and I would think a researcher's quick rescuer. As a result, the Greeks and Romans seem more than ever to be standing behind us, but just over the hill."--Arthur Miller "I welcome with open arms a new and greatly expanded edition of that admirable classic in its own right, The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Both I myself and my husband John Bayley use the Dictionary continually, as well as browsing in it for pleasure. It has been a precious and invaluable source and reference book for me in writing my novels, and for my whole inner life in mythology and in ancient philosophy."--Iris Murdoch "The Oxford Classical Dictionary is a treasure of information about the ancient world. The writing is interesting and authoritative, making it a pleasure to browse and an invaluable resource to consult. Major topics, such as astronomy, citizenship, and class struggle, are remarkably readable, insightful, and thorough, without being overly detailed. Abundant internal and external references point the way to further information. It's a hard book to put down."--Alan Cromer, Northeastern University "The revision of the Oxford Classical Dictionary makes significant improvements in an already first-rate tool. Not only are the bibliographies brought up to date (which is what one would have expected), but articles have been revised, enlarged, or re-written in order to incorporate new information and interpretation. A surprisingly large number of new entries now broaden thescope of the dictionary.... Not only classicists but biblical scholars as well will find this an altogether superb one-volume encyclopedia."--Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "A delight for anyone with any curiosity about the roots of our Western culture, our arts, sciences, and politics. The essays are thorough, yet with an eye to the interests of the contemporary reader. A browser's paradise, and I would think a researcher's quick rescuer. As a result, the Greeks and Romans seem more than ever to be standing behind us, but just over the hill."--Arthur Miller "I welcome with open arms a new and greatly expanded edition of that admirable classic in its own right, The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Both I myself and my husband John Bayley use the Dictionary continually, as well as browsing in it for pleasure. It has been a precious and invaluable source and reference book for me in writing my novels, and for my whole inner life in mythology and in ancient philosophy."--Iris Murdoch "The Oxford Classical Dictionary is a treasure of information about the ancient world. The writing is interesting and authoritative, making it a pleasure to browse and an invaluable resource to consult. Major topics, such as astronomy, citizenship, and class struggle, are remarkably readable, insightful, and thorough, without being overly detailed. Abundant internal and external references point the way to further information. It's a hard book to put down."--Alan Cromer, Northeastern University "The revision of the Oxford Classical Dictionary makes significant improvements in an already first-rate tool. Not only are the bibliographies brought up to date (which is what one would have expected), but articles have been revised, enlarged, or re-written in order to incorporate new information and interpretation. Asurprisingly large number of new entries now broaden the scope of the dictionary.... Not only classicists but biblical scholars as well will find this an altogether superb one-volume encyclopedia."--Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "A delight for anyone with any curiosity about the roots of our Western culture, our arts, sciences, and politics. The essays are thorough, yet with an eye to the interests of the contemporary reader. A browser's paradise, and I would think a researcher's quick rescuer. As a result, the Greeks and Romans seem more than ever to be standing behind us, but just over the hill."--Arthur Miller "I welcome with open arms a new and greatly expanded edition of that admirable classic in its own right, The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Both I myself and my husband John Bayley use the Dictionary continually, as well as browsing in it for pleasure. It has been a precious and invaluable source and reference book for me in writing my novels, and for my whole inner life in mythology and in ancient philosophy."--Iris Murdoch "The Oxford Classical Dictionary is a treasure of information about the ancient world. The writing is interesting and authoritative, making it a pleasure to browse and an invaluable resource to consult. Major topics, such as astronomy, citizenship, and class struggle, are remarkably readable, insightful, and thorough, without being overly detailed. Abundant internal and external references point the way to further information. It's a hard book to put down."--Alan Cromer, Northeastern University "The revision of the Oxford Classical Dictionary makes significant improvements in an already first-rate tool. Not only are the bibliographies brought up to date (which is what one would have expected), but articles have been revised, enlarged, or re-written in order to incorporate new information and interpretation. A surprisingly large number of new entries nowbroaden the scope of the dictionary.... Not only classicists but biblical scholars as well will find this an altogether superb one-volume encyclopedia."--Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary