Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization

The Cambridge Guide to Classical Civilization provides an authoritative survey of the classical world, combining the traditional strengths of classical subjects with new approaches examining the social and cultural features of the ancient Greek and Roman world. Ranging in time from post-Bronze Age Greece to the later Roman Empire, it looks not only at ancient Greece and Rome, but discusses those cultures with which Greeks and Romans exchanged information and culture (e.g. Phoenicians, Celts and Jews) and those remote peoples with whom they were in contact (e.g. Persia, China and India). It paints a vivid new picture of ancient life, exploring material realities such as dress and technology. It emphasises the transmission of classical learning and explores our debts to Greece and Rome. Highly-illustrated, with hundreds of entries by leading scholars, this Guide is a superb reference work and definitive companion for anyone with an interest in the ancient world.

Review: 'Like the OCD, The Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization has literally dozens of marvellous entries, many of which are written by prominent experts in the field. No one will fail to encounter a new idea or new item of information in the work. Students, especially, will appreciate the efforts taken by the editors and contributors to make the analyses accessible and lively.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

'The editors are to be congratulated on the balance they have achieved in the content between the traditional and the new ... there is a varied range of contributors, from the venerable, usual suspects, to the fresh, new voices. [It] will be indispensable to students at all levels - especially if paperback editions become available.' JRS

'Make no mistake about it: this work is highly recommended for all academic and larger public libraries.' Booklist

'Thirteen years in gestation, this work offers an authoritative summary of our current understanding of the ancients ... An essential purchase for all academic libraries.' American Reference Books Annual

'Covering everything from debt (a trap for the poor) to homosexuality to papyrus, this worthy companion to the older and larger Oxford Classical Dictionary focuses on social, economic, and cultural issues of classical Greek city-states and the Roman Republic and Empire. Given the impressive number of printable illustrations, maps, and dynastic charts, this may even become the first choice for visually oriented students.' Library Journal

'The entries are balanced, objective and well written ...' Contemporary Review

"Make no mistake about it: this work is highly recommended for all academic and larger public libraries." -- Booklist

"Thirteen years in gestation, this work offers an authoritative summary of our current understanding of the ancients [...] An essential purchase for all academic libraries." --American Reference Books Annual

"Covering everything from debt (a trap for the poor) to homosexuality to papyrus, this worthy companion to the older and larger Oxford Classical Dictionary focuses on social, economic, and cultural issues of classical Greek city-states and the Roman Republic and Empire. Given the impressive number of printable illustrations, maps, and dynastic charts, this may even become the first choice for visually oriented students."--Library Journal 

Preface; How to use this book; Classified list of headwords; Entries A-Z; Appendix: Timeline of Classical Civilization.

Prizes: Commended for Booklist Editor's Choice 2006 and Library Journal Best of Reference 2006.