Library Resources on Ancient Greece & Rome

Latin 8 Project

Research Strategies and Getting Started
  • Use keywords and combinations of keywords -- not phrases -- to search the Online Catalog, databases, and even reference books. Try synonyms or more general subject terms if the first keywords don't yield results.
  • The Online Catalog is not Google: it can't tell you what's inside a book. Get the book & use the index to see the topics covered.
  • Ask questions if you can't find what you want! Stop by the library or email lutz@chapin.edu
Start with subject reference books to find key facts, dates, events or a general overview of the topic:
  • Subject reference books are OK to use for US research; use general encyclopedias (e.g. World Book) for ideas or an overview but don't count them as one of your required sources.
  • Most reference books have an index in the last volume; some reference books are available online as part of an database.
  • REF 880.9 GAA   Greek and Latin Authors, 800 BC-AD 1000
  • REF 880.9 HOW   Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
  • REF 911   Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome
  • REF 920 BYE   Encyclopedia of World Biography
  • REF 920   Women in World History
  • REF 937.0099   Ancient Romans [biographical profiles]
  • REF 938 BOA   Oxford History of the Classical World
  • REF 938 HOR   Oxford Classical Dictionary (OCD)
  • REF 938 OXF   Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World
Tips for indexes and reference books:
  • Names -- Look under the LAST name; if you don't know which is the last name in a Latin name, try all the names.
  • Places -- If you can't find a building or place in the index, look under the CITY name where it is located.
Find books about ancient Greece or Rome with the Online Catalog (OPAC):
  • Search the online catalog at home or at school ; go to Current Students > Library > Online Catalog.
  • Best Keywords: [specific keywords taken from your topic question] Ex. Augustus
  • General ancient history keywords: Rome; Greece; Antiquities; Women; Civilization
  • Don't forget to check the index.
Find classical literature in the Library in the 800s (5th floor):
  • Loeb Classical Library -- small green and red volumes found in 870-888 -- offers original Greek or Latin on one page, English translation on the other.
  • Subject terms beginning with "Classical literature" indicate books ABOUT Greek and Roman authors.
Chapin Databases (Current Students page > Library > Online Resources)
  • History Resource Center -World
  • OED (Oxford English Dictionary) - Can be used to find Greek and Latin roots of English words.
Bibliography Examples & Help
  • Book by one author
    Bode, Janet. The Colors of Freedom:  Immigrant Stories.  New York: Franklin Watts,

          1999.

    A work in an anthology or collection
    Bradbury, Ray.  “Another Fine Mess.”  The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction:  the

        Fiftieth Anniversary Anthology.  Ed. Edward L. Ferman and Gordon Van Gelder

        New York: Tor, 1999.

    Print reference or encyclopedia article (cite the author of the article,  not of the set or volume)
    Freedman, Bill.  “Chameleons.”  Gale Encyclopedia of Science.  Ed. Bridget Travers.

         Detroit:  Gale Research, 1996.
  • For more bibliography formats and examples, go to Current Students > Library > US page: Quick Guide to Bibliographies
  • If you have questions about doing your bibliography, please feel free to ask or email Ms. Lutz.

Last updated by Ms. Lutz, 24 January 2008.







 (