With the publication in 1892–7 of this two-volume work, Swiss philologist Robert von Planta (1864–1937) cemented his reputation as one of the leading authorities on Indo-European grammar. After studying in his home country and Germany, he made his living as an independent researcher. He was also active in the movement against Italian irredentism and defended in writing the rights of the Swiss-German population. This work is an exhaustive account of the history and development of Osco-Umbrian phonology and syntax, adding to Mommsen's earlier contributions in the field. Volume 1 is dedicated to an overview of Osco-Umbrian phonology and stands as testimony to the development of phonological studies in the decade prior to its publication. With great diligence the author guides the reader through the history of the ancient populations of Italy and the different types of dialect found in the Osco-Umbrian area.
With the publication in 1892–7 of this two-volume work, Swiss philologist Robert von Planta (1864–1937) cemented his reputation as one of the leading authorities on Indo-European grammar. After studying in his home country and Germany, von Planta made his living as an independent researcher. He was also active in the movement against Italian irredentism and defended in writing the rights of the Swiss-German population. This work is an exhaustive account of the history and development of Osco-Umbrian phonology and syntax, adding to Mommsen's earlier contributions in the field. In Volume 2, von Planta focuses on Italic syntax and gives a detailed description of everything from conjugations to adverbs and pronouns. He also reproduces a great number of inscriptions on stones and plaques that he saw himself during research trips to Sicily and Umbria. An index of Osco-Umbrian words and dialects is also included.
Revised by Adolf Michaelis, the third edition of German philologist Otto Jahn's Greek text of Sophocles' Electra was published in 1882. Sophocles (c.496–406 BCE) wrote his great tragedy towards the end of his career; it is one of only seven of his estimated 123 works to survive. Taking place in Argos, the play portrays the revenge taken by Electra and Orestes, following the murder of their father Agamemnon, on their mother Clytemnestra and stepfather Aegisthus. Jahn (1813–69), who also produced a renowned scholarly biography of Mozart, was Professor of archaeology at Leipzig - until his removal for involvement in the 1848 uprisings - then Director of the Academic Art Museum at Bonn, and Professor of Archaeology at Berlin. This highly regarded edition, with extensive critical apparatus and commentary throughout, remains an authoritative resource for readers interested in the history of philology, textual criticism, and Classical Greek literature.
Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is best remembered for his monumental study of ancient religion, The Golden Bough (of which the first and third editions are both reissued in this series). He also produced a translation of and commentary on the Description of Greece of Pausanias, the second-century CE traveller and antiquarian, and the first piece in this 1900 compilation of Frazer's 'sketches' is the introductory essay to that work. Short descriptions then follow of the present-day appearance of over ninety places visited by Pausanias, and the work ends with an essay on Pericles and the effect of the period of his rule on the art and architecture of Athens. This fascinating work is imbued with Frazer's enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the topography of ancient Greece, and will be of interest not only to scholars but also to visitors to the country.
This work by Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. At the same time, by applying modern methods of comparative ethnography to the classical world, and revealing the superstition and irrationality beneath the surface of classical culture, and also by examining Christianity using the same techniques, it was extremely controversial. Frazer was greatly influenced by E. B. Tylor's Primitive Culture (also reissued in this series), and by the work of the biblical scholar William Robertson Smith, to whom the first edition is dedicated. That edition, reissued here, was published in two volumes in 1890; the third edition, greatly enlarged to twelve volumes, and published between 1911 and 1915, is also available in this series. Volume 1 considers the motif of the ritual murder of the priest/king in classical mythology.
This work by Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. At the same time, by applying modern methods of comparative ethnography to the classical world, and revealing the superstition and irrationality beneath the surface of classical culture, and also by examining Christianity using the same techniques, it was extremely controversial. Frazer was greatly influenced by E. B. Tylor's Primitive Culture (also reissued in this series), and by the work of the biblical scholar William Robertson Smith, to whom the first edition is dedicated. That edition, reissued here, was published in two volumes in 1890; the third edition, greatly enlarged to twelve volumes, and published between 1911 and 1915, is also available in this series. Volume 2 pursues the motif of human sacrifice through the mythology and practices of other cultures.
The Histories of Greek-born, Roman historian Polybius (c.200–118 BCE) are reissued here in two volumes. Comprising the complete Books 1 to 5, the near complete Book 6, and fragments of Books 7 to 9, Volume 1 covers, inter alia, an assessment of Rome's enemies (notably Egypt and Greece), the beginnings of the First and Second Punic Wars, the battles of Ticinus and Trebia, the harmonious society of Rome, and a discussion of historical method that prioritises objectivity. Undertaken by the classicist Evelyn Shuckburgh (1843–1906), this first complete English translation (utilising F. Hultsch's 1867–72 Greek text) was published in 1889. A tutor, and later librarian, at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Shuckburgh produced school editions of Sophocles and Suetonius as well as short histories on the classical world. This highly readable translation has remained a fascinating historical account of the second and third centuries BCE.
The Histories of Greek-born, Roman historian Polybius (c.200–118 BCE) are reissued here in two volumes. Comprising fragments of Books 10 to 39 (17, 19, and 37 are missing), a compendium of smaller fragments, and an extensive index, Volume 2 covers, inter alia, the Hannibalian War from 209 BCE, the characters of Scipio Africanus and Philip of Macedonia, the flawed historical method of Timaeus, the Siege of New Carthage, the end of the Second Punic War, and the overthrow of Agathocles. Undertaken by the classicist Evelyn Shuckburgh (1843–1906), this first complete English translation (utilising F. Hultsch's 1867–72 Greek text) was published in 1889. A tutor, and later librarian, at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Shuckburgh produced school editions of Sophocles and Suetonius as well as short histories on the classical world. This highly readable translation has remained a fascinating historical account of the second and third centuries BCE.
The Histories of Greek-born, Roman historian Polybius (c.200–118 BCE) are reissued here in two volumes. Undertaken by the classicist Evelyn Shuckburgh (1843–1906), this first complete English translation (utilising F. Hultsch's 1867–72 Greek text) was published in 1889. A tutor, and later librarian, at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Shuckburgh produced school editions of Sophocles and Suetonius as well as short histories on the classical world. This highly readable translation has remained a fascinating historical account of the second and third centuries BCE. Volume 1 comprises the complete Books 1 to 5, the near complete Book 6, and fragments of Books 7 to 9. Volume 2 comprises fragments of Books 10 to 39 (17, 19, and 37 are missing), a compendium of smaller fragments, and an extensive index.
Classical topographer Sir William Gell (1777–1836) first came to public attention with his Topography of Troy (1804). Based on his travels around Bunarbashi, near to where Schliemann would subsequently excavate, the work became a standard treatise. Byron even wrote: 'Of Dardan tours let dilettanti tell, / I leave topography to classic Gell.' A noted conversationalist and intellectual intermediary, Gell became a Fellow of the Royal Society and, indeed, a Member of the Society of Dilettanti. He also served, in 1803, on a diplomatic mission to the Ionian Islands; his subsequent journey, with the archaeologist Edward Dodwell, through the Peloponnese - then known as the Morea - became the subject of several later books, including Narrative of a Journey in the Morea (1823; also reissued in this series) and this 1817 publication. Comprising a survey of routes through the area, and their natural and archaeological landmarks, it sheds light on both contemporary Greece and the practicalities of
Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is best remembered today for The Golden Bough, widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. Originally a classical scholar, whose entire working life was spent at Trinity College, Cambridge, Frazer also produced this translation of and commentary on the works of Pausanias, the second-century CE traveller and antiquarian whose many references to myths and legends provided him with material for his great study of religion. The six-volume work was published in 1898, after the first edition of The Golden Bough (also reissued in this series), and while Frazer was working on material for the second. Volume 1 contains a preface, in which Frazer states his intention to provide 'a faithful and idiomatic rendering of Pausanias', his translation of the entire work, and notes on the text.
Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is best remembered today for The Golden Bough, widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. Originally a classical scholar, whose entire working life was spent at Trinity College, Cambridge, Frazer also produced this translation of and commentary on the works of Pausanias, the second-century CE traveller and antiquarian whose many references to myths and legends provided him with material for his great study of religion. The six-volume work was published in 1898, after the first edition of The Golden Bough (also reissued in this series), and while Frazer was working on material for the second. Volume 2 is a detailed commentary on Pausanias' Book I, on Attica, using both the experience of Frazer's own travels in Greece and the reports of other antiquarians and archaeologists.
Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is best remembered today for The Golden Bough, widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. Originally a classical scholar, whose entire working life was spent at Trinity College, Cambridge, Frazer also produced this translation of and commentary on the works of Pausanias, the second-century CE traveller and antiquarian whose many references to myths and legends provided him with material for his great study of religion. The six-volume work was published in 1898, after the first edition of The Golden Bough (also reissued in this series), and while Frazer was working on material for the second. Volume 3 is a detailed commentary on Pausanias' Books II–V, on Corinth, Laconia, Messenia and Elis, using both the experience of Frazer's own travels in Greece and the reports of other antiquarians and archaeologists.
Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is best remembered today for The Golden Bough, widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. Originally a classical scholar, whose entire working life was spent at Trinity College, Cambridge, Frazer also produced this translation of and commentary on the works of Pausanias, the second-century CE traveller and antiquarian whose many references to myths and legends provided Frazer with material for his great study of religion. The six-volume work was published in 1898, after the first edition of The Golden Bough (also reissued in this series), and while Frazer was working on material for the second. Volume 4 is a detailed commentary on Pausanias' Books VI–VIII, on Elis, Achaia and Arcadia, using both the experience of Frazer's own travels in Greece and the reports of other antiquarians and archaeologists.
This work by Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. At the same time, by applying modern methods of comparative ethnography to the classical world, and revealing the superstition and irrationality beneath the surface of the classical culture which had for so long been a model for Western civilisation, it was extremely controversial. Frazer was greatly influenced by E. B. Tylor's Primitive Culture (also reissued in this series), and by the work of the biblical scholar William Robertson Smith, to whom the first edition is dedicated. The twelve-volume third edition, reissued here, was greatly revised and enlarged, and published between 1911 and 1915; the two-volume first edition (1890) is also available in this series. Volumes 10 and 11 (1913) continue to examine taboo behaviour, and consider the role of sunlight and firelight in ritual.
This work by Sir James Frazer (1854–1941) is widely considered to be one of the most important early texts in the fields of psychology and anthropology. At the same time, by applying modern methods of comparative ethnography to the classical world, and revealing the superstition and irrationality beneath the surface of the classical culture which had for so long been a model for Western civilisation, it was extremely controversial. Frazer was greatly influenced by E. B. Tylor's Primitive Culture (also reissued in this series), and by the work of the biblical scholar William Robertson Smith, to whom the first edition is dedicated. The twelve-volume third edition, reissued here, was greatly revised and enlarged, and published between 1911 and 1915; the two-volume first edition (1890) is also available in this series. Volume 12 (1915) provides a bibliography and general index to the entire third edition.
Eduard Meyer (1855–1930) was a distinguished German historian of antiquity whose interests spanned ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. After his doctoral studies he worked as private tutor for the British consul general in Constantinople. He lectured on ancient history at various German universities and became a professor at Berlin University (1902–23), where he was appointed rector in 1919. This book on the origins of the Roman Empire was first published in 1918; this reissue reproduces the 1922 third printing. It describes the rise of Pompey and his relations with Caesar and Crassus, the rift between Pompey and Caesar, and the civil war. Meyer analyses Caesar's ambitions, the interventions of Sallust and Cicero, and the socio-economic and military situation of the Roman empire under Caesar, before describing the conspiracy that led to his murder. He supports his arguments by close reference to contemporary Latin sources.
Both the author and the date of this five-volume poem, the first Western document to link the houses of the zodiac with the course of human affairs, are uncertain. The author's name may be Marcus Manilius, or Manlius, or Mallius, and the latest datable event mentioned in the books themselves is the disastrous defeat of Varus' Roman legions by the German tribes in 9 CE. The writing shows knowledge of the work of Lucretius, but the work is not referred to by any subsequent writer, suggesting that it was never widely disseminated. A manuscript was rediscovered by Poggio Bracciolini in 1416 or 1417, and editions were produced by Scaliger and Bentley, but this immensely erudite edition of 1903–1930 by the scholar and poet A. E. Housman (1859–1936) is regarded as authoritative. Volume 4 describes the influence of the zodiacal signs on the people born under them.
Johann Gustav Droysen (1808–84) belonged to a German school of historical thought influenced by Hegel, which emphasised the role of great individuals in history. A pupil of August Boeckh, his own famous students included Jacob Burckhardt. He was noted for his thorough and painstaking use of source materials, and his history of Alexander the Great (1833) remained the standard work on the subject for many years. In 1836–43 Droysen published this pioneering two-volume study of the centuries after Alexander's death, and it was Droysen who coined the term Hellenism to refer to this period. Volume 1 focuses on Alexander's successors and covers the period 323–278 BCE, from Alexander's death to the campaigns of Demetrios Poliorcetes, ending with the invasion of Macedonia by the Gauls. Volume 2 describes the formation of the Hellenistic states between 280 and 221 BCE and the associated power struggles in the Mediterranean region.
Servius Grammaticus is believed to have been active in the later part of the fourth century CE. Little is known about him (not even the correct form of his name) but he was traditionally thought to have been a pupil of the great grammarian Donatus. The most important work ascribed to him is this commentary on the Aeneid, Eclogues and Georgics of Vergil, which clarifies the content and language of Vergil's poems by citing other Latin authors, some of whose works are now lost and may be known only from Servius' references to them. This three-volume Latin edition (in four parts), begun by Georg Thilo (1831–93) and completed after Thilo's death by Hermann Hagen (1844–98), was published in Germany between 1878 and 1902, and is still regularly consulted by scholars of Vergil and of Latin literature. Volume 3 Part 2 contains other classical commentaries and glosses on Vergil.
